Self-catering holiday apartments near the Sibillini Mountains in Le Marche, Italy

Casa Carotondo an ideal location for a walking holiday

Casa Carotondo is the ideal base for a walking holiday in the Sibillini Mountains. The apartments are located within easy reach of several classic routes such as Tre Vescovi, Golla dell'Infernacio or Grotto dei Frati in the mountains. We have both done a lot of walking in the Sibillini Mountains and can help you, if you wish, with route planning.

The woodland area around Casa Carotondo is good for short walks of 1-2 hours. There are a number of walking routes around the town of Sarnano. They are described in English on several websites such as Komoot. They are a good way of getting to know the area around Sarnano.

Walking in the Sibillini National Park

The National Park has identified a number of nature trails that are suitable, as they describe it, for those with either little time or fitness and are a good way of seeing different areas of the Sibillini National Park. There are, of course, a wide range of routes on the mountains themselves, from the relatively flat in the piano grande around Casteluccio to the very steep and only for the very fit.

In 2016 and early 2017 there were a number of strong earthquakes, in particular around the Visso/Norcia area. Although many of the more popular routes are now accessible. Some areas, roads or walks may still be restricted. A description of suggested hikes is available on this webpage, along with a listing of those walks that are still closed. The descriptions include Google Earth maps and downloadable GPS files in a number of different formats.

You will need a map!

A map is essential when walking in the mountains. A 1:25000 map of walks can be purchased locally in tabacchi, newsagents or at Amazon. A useful 6 part map can also be bought at Libri di Montagna

The national park offer a 1:50000 map which can also be bought online. Kompass do a map of the Sibillini mountains at the 1:50000 scale. This includes hiking and mountain biking routes.

There are guide books of the Sibillini Mountains

The Sibillini National Park sell a guide book with route descriptions in either English or Italian. This does not seem to be available online currently but can be purchased locally in newsagents or at the Case del Parco. The Cicerone series of walking guide books includes an edition walking in the Sibillini Mountains. Updates to the printed version are available online. We have a copy of both these books at Casa Carotondo, you are welcome to borrow them.

Join a guided walk in the Sibillini Mountains

If you do not feel confident walking on your own, you can join guided walks in the Sibillini Mountains. Both the Sibillini National Park and the Club Alpino Italiano offer guided walks of varying levels of difficulty through the year. The Club Alpino Italiano publish a list of their walks each year. This list is available locally. The walks are graded and a contact person is assigned to each walk. Both Marcheinspalla and Passamontagna offer guided walks all around Le Marche to the public led by a qualified guide and in English.

Not just the Sibillini Mountains

Although the Sibillini Mountains offer plentiful and spectacular walking in the area around Casa Carotondo, there are, of course, other areas within a reasonable driving distance you might like to visit. For short flat walks the reserve of the the Abbadia di Fiastra is a good location. The reserve is close to the Roman ruins of Urbs Salvia. The Conero peninsula just south of Ancona offers walks on the sea cliffs with wonderful sea views. After your walk you can reward yourself with a meal at one of the many excellent fish restaurants in the area.