Best Hikes In Monti Sibillini National Park

Best known for the dramatic Sibillini Mountains, Monti Sibillini National Park is a vast playground for hikers and outdoor adventurers. Spanning an area of more than 700 km2 across both Marche and Umbria, the NP is home to numerous trails and peaks to be discovered.

Whether you’d rather ascend the tallest peak of the Sibillini Mountains or walk through a flowery field, we’ve got you covered. This guide to the best hiking trails in Monti Sibillini National Park includes all the most popular trails and sights in the NP!

Poggio di Croce - Monte delle Rose - Colle Bernardo

Castelluccio is a tiny village in the mountains. There’s a car park here so it’s the trailhead of the hike, and it’s easily accessible by taxis from some bigger nearby towns. There’s not much to see or do in the village though, since it mostly features old, run-down houses.  There are a few grocery shops, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts in the village though, so you can stock up on provisions for the hike.

The trail is moderately difficult, and it takes hikers to some of the smaller peaks near the village. Poggio di Croce, Monte Veletta, and Colle Bernardo are all covered by this loop trail, and each of the peaks offers gorgeous panoramic views of the fields of wildflowers.

The hiking trail is best experienced in the summer when all the flowers are in full bloom, and you can see dozens of different colors in the fields. It’s a magical experience and a great way to experience the astonishing nature in this part of the Monti Sibillini National Park.

Castelluccio - Inghiottitoio – Mergani

The trail descends south from the Castelluccio village, and it’s mostly over level terrain – that’s why it takes so little time to complete. In fact, the only elevation gain is when you’re climbing back to the Castelluccio village, so this is a fairly easy hike that can be at least attempted by most newbies.

The in-between section of the trail is just a loop around a huge field of flowers. It’s a breathtaking sight, especially if you’re hiking in the summer when everything is in full bloom and there are too many colors to count. This hiking trail is an easier version of the previous one – instead of climbing to the top of the mountain to see the flowers, you’re walking around the field and finding scenic spots on smaller elevations.

It’s a great way to experience Castelluccio and the gorgeous nature surrounding it even if you’re not an expert hiker.

Monte Vettore - Monte Vettoretto

Monte Vettore is the highest Sibillini Mountain, as well as the ninth-tallest peak of the Apennines. It’s extremely popular with hikers because everyone who wants to conquer the NP’s tallest peaks sets off on this trail.

The trailhead is at the Forca di Presta lookout platform and there’s a car park right next to it, so don’t worry about where you can leave the car. The 9.8-kilometer out and back trail features a gradual ascent up to Monte Vettoretto and then Monte Vettore, the latter of which is the tallest peak of the Sibillini Mountains at 2476 meters.

The ascent is gradual but the total elevation gain is more than 900 meters, so there’s a lot of ground to climb. There’s also no shade, the terrain is rocky, and water sources along the trail are scarce. That’s why it’s a challenging trail that shouldn’t be attempted by hiking newbies.

If you’ve got enough experience and the right gear, this can also be one of the most impressive hikes in the entire national park. There are plenty of wildflowers and birdwatching opportunities along the way, as well as dramatic views of lakes, forests, and other peaks in the park.

Lame Rosse - Grotta dei Frati - Fiastrone Canyon

This loop trail in Monti Sibillini National Park takes hikers along a spectacular journey. Starting with scenic lake views, the trail continues to take hikers to Lame Rosse, the imposing sandstone pillars. It’s a pretty steep ascent, but nothing so challenging you can’t complete it with proper hiking gear.

The trail then continues uphill for another 1.5 kilometers, until it starts descending to Grotta del Fratti. From there it’s an even further descent towards the Fiastrone Canyon and this section of the hike includes a river crossing. It’s important to note that it’s not always possible to cross the river, especially if it has rained in the last few days.

The canyon views are gorgeous, but they’re not worth risking your life crossing a dangerous river. During the drier months, the water level in the river is so low you’re just wading across the river, so it’s perfectly safe to cross. The final sections of the hiking trail take you back to the panoramic lakeside terrace, finishing off the hike with the same gorgeous lake views it started with.

This hiking trail is rated as moderately difficult so it’s best for hikers with some experience. The terrain is also dangerous at times, and because of the river crossing, it is best to wear waterproof shoes for this trail.

Gola dell'Infernaccio - Cascata Nascosta

Gola dell’Infernaccio translates to Hell’s Gorge, which is an appropriately dramatic name for this astonishing sight. The impressive gorge was carved out by the 70-kilometer Tenna River, which is only the second largest river in the national park.

Gola dell’Infernaccio is situated in the eastern part of the national park, close to Montefortino. The trailhead is at a car park and the path descends directly from there to the gorge and the tiny Pisciarelle Waterfall. It’s entirely uphill from there to Ereme San Leonardo (hermitage), but the views along the way are stunning.

The final point of this hike is another 1.5 kilometers farther, at the Cascata Nascosta. The tall and slim waterfall runs steeply down the cliffs for an incredibly dramatic sight. This is also the highest elevation point of the hike, so you can experience some beautiful panoramic views here. From the waterfall, it’s a downhill descent back towards the trailhead.

The out and back hike takes 3-4 hours to complete, depending on your hiking pace and experience. It’s a moderately challenging trail with several steep sections over rocky terrain, so appropriate hiking footwear is required. There are several water sources along the trail, but you should bring plenty of water, nonetheless.

Lago di Pilato

Lago di Pilato hike is similar to the Monte Vettore hike – the trailhead is at the same place and some two-thirds of the trail follows the same path. After you’ve passed Monte Vettoretto and Rifugio Zilioli, you continue on a different trail than if you were to head to Monte Vettore.

From the Rifugio Zilioli, there are about two kilometers to Lago di Pilato. You’re descending from the main trail down to the lake, for some amazing views. The Pilato Lake sits at an altitude of 1980 meters, and it’s one of the highest lakes in this national park.

This is one of the most visited trails in the national park, so don’t be surprised to encounter other hikers on the trail. From the lake, just climb back to the main trail and go back to the trailhead or continue to Monte Vettore if you haven’t visited it already.

The hike is only slightly less challenging than the ascent to Monte Vettore, so it’s still not recommended for inexperienced hikers. It also takes place over rough and rocky terrain with very little shade, so it’s essential that hikers are equipped with appropriate gear.

Val di Bove

Val di Bove is a loop trail in the heart of the Monti Sibillini National Park. The trailhead is at the Frontignano di Ussita ski resorts so it is best experienced in the summer when there’s no snow on the ground. This is a popular ski area in the winter, and it’s not really accessible to hikers during that period.

Alpinists and mountaineers will love this place in the winter though – the mountains and canals above the valley are very popular among those who enjoy climbing icy terrain.

The 12.2-kilometer loop hike features several landmarks along the way, as well as some incredibly stunning sights. The first section of the hike gradually ascends, pretty much all the way until you hit the Cristo delle Nevi Refuge. There’s a huge statue of Jesus here, and it’s a great place to stop and admire the gorgeous panoramic views in front of you.

From the refuge, the trail starts to gradually descend towards Val di Bove and Ripido. The valley is characterized by countless sinkholes that are a testament to its glacial origin, as well as pastures and bushes.

Monte Sibilla Val di Tenna

Monte Sibilla Val di Tenna is a multi-day hiking trail in the eastern part of the national park. The trailhead is near Monte Cornaccione and from there the trail follows the River Tenna valley all the way to Rubbiano. The multi-day hiking trail is some 46 kilometers long, and it’s suitable only for experienced hikers and backpackers.

The first section of the hike (to Rubbiano) is some 16 kilometers and can easily be completed in one day. You can even make it to Isola San Biago, which is about 5 kilometers farther. The terrain up to that point is mostly easy and downhill, which is why the 20 kilometers of this section can be covered rather quickly.

After Isola San Biago, the trail quickly picks up. It’s mostly uphill after the village, and very soon the trail turns into steep switchbacks until you get to the top of the mountain. You’re going uphill pretty much until Monte Sibilla, which sits at an elevation of 2173 meters. From this mountain, it’s a 15-kilometer hike back to the trailhead.

There are quite a few mountain houses and shelters for hikers along the way, so you can separate this multi-day hike into as many stages as you want. A minimum of two days is necessary to complete the trail, but you complete the hike over the course of three days if you want. Go at your own pace to better enjoy the fabulous nature in the national park.

Grande Anello Dei Sibillini

Looking for a long-distance hike in the Sibillini Mountains? If that’s the case, this is exactly the right hike for you. It’s a ring around the outer perimeter of the national park, and it’s divided into nine stages. The total length of the hiking trail is 124 kilometers and each of the stages can be completed in a day, so you can do this hike in just nine days.

Some sections are longer than others, with the shortest stage of the hike being some 9 kilometers compared to the longest stage of 19.5 kilometers. The average elevation change per stage is between 500 and 800 meters, although there are some easier and harder days.

Overall, this is a very demanding hike that should be attempted only by experienced backpackers. It’s worth it though if you’ve got enough time and resources since the experience is just incredible.  You’ll see a multitude of different landscapes, ascend many peaks, and really get to know the culture and history of the region.

There are also plenty of opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife encounters, as well as many shelters for hikers along the way.