Walking

Check out the pics below of some fantastic walks in this area - get yer boots ready!

Walking in the Sibillini Area

Routes in the Sibillini National Park are extremely mixed and varied from quiet tree-lined strolls to exposed mountain ridge walks and scrambles; there really is something to suit everyone’s ability.

MAPS
Maps for the national park area are widely available from many outlets i.e. tobacconists, book stores and the local tourist information centres in the main towns. When choosing a map do look at it closely first as some versions are hard to read, the text fonts used on some of the maps are too fancy and not easily legible in bad visibility or in emergencies. It is quite difficult to get hold of a map of the immediate areas outside of the national park so we have found the best map sources to be Google Maps, Google Earth and OpenStreetMap. Maps from these websites can be easily downloaded to a handheld GPS or mobile phone. If you are not running a GPS App on your phone we would recommend MAPS.ME which is completely free. Check out the link: https://maps.me

THINGS TO REMEMBER

Try not to walk in the mountains alone, and if you choose to, inform a reliable person of your plans and route and your expected time of return. Remember also to let them know that you have returned!
We would advise to take out personal insurance cover that includes outdoor activities as mountain rescue in Italy is not free.
Check the weather forecast – even though it may be warm and sunny the weather can change at an alarming rate in mountainous areas, storms/high wind/heavy rain can build up very quickly - LINK
Be aware of and be realistic about your own ability and know when to retreat for another day.

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT

Stout shoes with adequate ankle support
Map of the area you are going to explore (and the ability to read it!)
Compass and watch
Day bag/rucksack
Sun protection - cream/hat/sunglasses
Water - minimum 2 litres per person. Water from local springs in general is good but be aware of farms and huts above you and only drink from flowing water. Remember the refuges tend to be lower down, you will not find refreshments in the mountains.
Clothing - temperatures can fluctuate greatly during the course of the day and depending on the altitude so warm clothing for later in your adventure may be necessary.
Food – we find dry food best e.g. nuts, biscuits etc. Due to the possibility of high temperatures meat sandwiches can taste strange in a very short time!
Emergency telephone/mountain rescue: 118

BE AWARE WHEN OUT AND ABOUT IN THE MOUNTAINS
The nature of the mountain terrain is extremely diverse. Most of the animal life is friendly but be aware that there are also scorpions, small vipers, wolves and wild boar. My advice is if you leave them alone they will go out of their way to avoid you.

On a lighthearted note many of the hills, mountains and villages are shrouded in myths and legends of warlocks, witches and fairies. Local advice is if you are tempted into strange places by a stranger, look at their legs and feet as a way of telling them apart from ‘normal’ people, as Middle-earth beings tend to have feet and legs similar to a goat!!

Anyway, whatever you get up to have fun – you are on holiday!