Excursions
Besides the many medieval towns, “I Calanchi Country Hotel” is surrounded by interesting natural areas offering splendid panoramic views that can be visited with a one-day excursion. Following, you can find some suggestions:
GRAN SASSO AND MONTI DELLA LAGA NATIONAL PARK – MONTAGNA DEI FIORI – MONTE PISELLI: approx. 50 minutes. There are about 80 paths available to explore this huge natural reserve, as well as the churches, hermitages, and grottoes found almost everywhere inside the Park, surrounded by a luxuriant nature made of forests, springs, falls, prairies, plateaus, staggering ridges and shocking rock faces. And then ancient burgs, archaeological sites, hermitages, sanctuaries, and “caiare” – small conic stone huts – they all highlight this splendid landscape. In addition, Monte Piselli is the only mountain/ski resort in central Italy located only 30 km from the sea. You can practice sport even in winter, since Monte Piselli is a famous ski resort.
MONTI SIBILLINI – MONTEMONACO – MONTE VETTORE – LAGO DI PILATO: approx. 60 minutes. Monte Vettore is the highest peak in the Sibillini Mountains range and stands on the southern side of the chain. On the top you can enjoy a breathtaking view, and in clear days you can even see the Adriatic Sea. There are different trekking paths, catering to various levels of ability, providing refuges along the way. Furthermore, in winter, the snow of this side of the mountain allows you to practice any kind of extreme skiing, from ski touring or backcountry skiing to freestyle snowboarding with slopes, walls and natural obstacles for real experts. The Lago di Pilato (1 hour walk from Monte Vettore) is the only natural lake in Marche, with origins in the glacier that forms in winter. The lake has a unique ecosystem, characterized by the presence in its waters of a red color crustacean named Chirocefalo del Marchesoni. It is visible to the naked eye and reproduces in abundant manner. Since this crustacean belongs to a species unique in the world, we must try to do our best to preserve it; therefore, it is forbidden to bathe in the lake as well as doing anything that might have negative consequences for its fragile ecosystem.
MONTI SIBILLINI – MONTEMONACO - MONTE SIBILLA & GROTTA DELLE FATE: approx 60 minutes. The peak of Mount Sibilla offers the most beautiful view over the Sibillini Mountains, after which the complex was named, and belongs to the southern part of the chain. Just under the peak, there is Sibyl’s Grotto, famous for its legends. The Sibillini Mountains are full of magic and mystery, as reflected in the place names: Pizzo del Diavolo (Devil’s Point), Cime del Redentore (Redeemer Peak), Lago di Pilato (Pilate’s Lake), Grotta delle Fate (Cave of the Fairies), Gola dell'Infernaccio (Hell Gorge), Monte Sibilla (Mount Sibilla). Actually, centuries ago, people thought that these harsh, rugged mountains were inhabited by fairies, demons, sorcerers, and fantastic creatures. It was said that the Apennine Sibyl lived among these mountains: in her cave, she predicted the future and drew crowds of people who were eager to get her advice. The Sibyl was famous all over Europe, in fact she inspired Ariosto and is mentioned in his Orlando Furioso, as well as in Pulci’s Morgante Maggiore, and by Antoine de la Sale, Tullia d'Aragona, and Wagner. Reaching her cave is quite hard, even today, mainly due to the height difference and to the inaccessible ground.
MONTEFORTINO - GOLE DELL’INFERNACCIO – THE SOURCE OF RIVER TENNA AND SAN LEONARDO HERMITAGE: approx. 60 minutes. The Gole dell'Infernaccio are natural gorges along the river Tenna. They are situated in the municipality of Montefortino inside the Sibillini National Park and are one of the most exciting gorges in central Italy, on the Apennines. The surrounding mountains are so high and with a sharp profile, they don’t look like the other peaks on the Apennines; the woods are very thick and quite hostile to men. The path leading to the Hermitage is quite easy in the first part, and then it quickly descends to the valley, traversing the slope up to the source of River Tenna. In this natural, wild environment, with lots of water streams, deep gorges and thick woods of badgers, maples, and beeches, you can admire San Leonardo Hermitage, located on a rock spur and built on the remains of a former Benedictine monastery. The Gole dell’Infernaccio are a favorite destination for excursions and walks, especially because in summer this is quite a cool place!
CASTELLUCCIO DI NORCIA & THE GREAT PLANE: approx. 50 minutes. Castelluccio is located on top of a hill on the homonymous plane, one of the largest ones in Italy and part of the Sibillini National Park. It lies at 1452 m, making it the highest settlement in the Apennines. Wolves, golden eagles, pilgrim falcons and many other native species are the most evident signs of a variety and of a biological wealth which have created an ancient and evocative world where even today time seems to have stopped to pay homage to such an extraordinary beauty. Between late May and early July, the plateau of Castelluccio is witnessing an event of special importance, flowering. For several weeks the chromatic monotony of the pasture is broken by a patchwork of colors, with variations of tones ranging from yellow to red ocher. But Castelluccio di Norcia means great food & wine – lentils, cured meats, and cheese – free flying, paragliding and legends too.
CONERO RIVIERA: approx. 60 minutes. Mount Conero is a promontory facing the sea, offering splendid panoramas, beaches, greenery and seabeds that cannot be found elsewhere on the Adriatic coast. The street that links Ancona to Numana (almost 21 km) offers a breathtaking view. This is a protected area, and here you can find the Conero Natural Park, an environmental oasis that extends over 5800 hectares and has 18 escursionistic tracks. It directly faces the sea, and has calcareous cliffs that create crystalline seabeds and pebbly beaches. The promontory of Conero is a perfect place for wine growing too. A microclimate continuously renewed by the sea breezes and a limy soil that is poor but with a great structure, allow the Montepulciano wine to express a characteristic in the Rosso Conero impossible to find elsewhere.
GENGA – FRASASSI GROTTOES: approx. 1 hour 10 minutes. Cliffs overlooking the sea, wild rocks, rushing waters, wonderful concretions, important species of flowers, and monuments created by men: all this can be found in the town of Genga, whose ancient origins are confirmed by the finds in the Frasassi Gorges, while the Castle walls that encircle the town date back to the Middle Ages(12th century). Just outside Genga you can find Frasassi Gorges, a 2 km long canyon cut into the rock by the small river Sentino.
PANTANI DI ACCUMOLI: approx. 60 minutes. These are small glacial lakes located in the valley between the Sibillini National Park and the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. Their morphology is very peculiar, with karst systems, springs and marshy areas. They are surrounded by immense pastures where a large number of cows and horses graze or drink and wash in the “pantani”, offering a pleasant view to tourists who wish to spend a day in close contact with the nature.