La Mimosa Guided Walks

Within easy reach of La Mimosa there is plenty of opportunity for some superb walking – both within the mountainous Sibillini National Park and in
the hilly country which lies between the
mountains and the sea . However walking maps
and guide books (in English ) are difficult to
find, especially when you are only here for a
short while.

Robert is a keen walker and is able to offer a series of guided day-walks to visitors . These are open not only to guests staying at our apartment but also to other visitors staying in the area . We can provide you with all you need for a good days walking .

We will provide you with :
- transport from and to your accommodation,
- the services of an experienced guide
- a packed lunch.

Most of the walks are between 3.30 and 5 hours of actual walking time, although shorter walks can be arranged. Add time taken to drive to the start of the walk and time for lunch, sight-seeing etc.
Costs are given with the walk descriptions below. We are happy to take as few as two people. Four people booking together will get a 10% discount.

Pick up time at your accommodation is usually 9 to 9.30, but in hot weather it will be more like 7.30 (exact times can be arranged at time of booking).

Each client will need to make sure that the walk, as described , is within their capabilities in terms of health, fitness and walking experience. Each client will be responsible for their own safety on the walk. We would advise that each client should have adequate travel insurance for this type of activity. Clients are also responsible for ensuring that they are suitable clothed and equipped for the walk chosen.

Please read the walk descriptions carefully before booking, paying particular attention to the height climbed on the walk. If you are unclear about the suitability of any particular walk we are happy to discuss them with you before choosing .

To book or for enquiries contact us either by :
E-mail - robjworsley@tiscali.it or
Telephone : (0039) 0734 710260

We will be happy to discuss the walks with you and provide you with any further information you may want .

The following is a selection of walks available, but we are adding more walks to our list all the time. We are happy to discuss other options with you.

Walks outside the National Park

The countryside here is hilly  with many deep valleys. It is a verdant countryside with many small farms and smallholdings and a number of beautiful, well-preserved medieval hilltowns . There are many lovely and ancient farm houses and views of the Sibillini Mountains in the distance. The routes are on footpaths, dirt roads and occasional sections on quiet, little- used metalled roads.

Walk 1
A circuit of the cliffs of Montefalcone Appenino

Height climbed : 280 m
Highest point of walk : 904 m
Walking Time : 3.30 – 4 hrs

The village of Montefalcone Appenino is dramatically situated on the edge of a sandstone cliff known as La Rupe. The walk ascends the cliff by a medieval path, still  partially cobbled, to the village and proceeds along the wooded ridge to the village of Smerillo, perched at the other end. We then return along the foot of the cliff along woodland paths and a short stretch of a little-used minor road.
Highlights -
Great views of the Sibillini Mountains en-route. We also pass 2 ruined castles and will have time to explore both villages.

Cost : 35 euros pp

Walk 2
A walk to the hilltop town of Penna San Giovanni

Height climbed : 500m
Highest point of walk : 625 m
Walking Time : 5.00 – 5.30 hrs

From outside the small town of St Angelo in Pontana the walk descends through countryside dotted with small farms, to the valley of the river Salino, and up to the hill town of Penna San Giovanni. Time will be taken to explore this lovely medieval town before returning by footpaths and dirt roads to our start point .
Highlights – Penna San Giovanni with its ancient streets, medieval gates , churches, a wonderful lookout point,  rich and varied countryside.

Cost : 35 euros pp

Walk 3
A circuit through countryside around Monte Vidon Corrado

Height climbed : 400m
Highest point of walk: 425 m
Walking Time : 4.00 – 5.00 hrs

The walk is on footpaths and dirt roads ( strada bianca ) starting from the village
of Monte Vidon Corrado and passing through attractive and varied countryside . This is ‘ real Italy’ , olive groves and vineyards, small farms , ancient farmhouses and hamlets .
Highlights – The deep valley of the Rota torrente ( stream) ,the hilltown of Massa Fermana, the isolated hilltop church of Madonna di Galliano, a deserted hamlet ( borgo ) .
N.B a short section of this walk involves a scramble down a wooded hillside with no footpath.

Cost : 35 euros pp

Walk 3a
A shorter version of Walk 3

Height climbed : 300m
Highest point of walk : 425 m
Walking Time : 3.00 – 3.30 hrs

Same route as walk 3 but missing out the visit to Massa Fermana.

Cost : 25 euros pp

Walks within the Sibillini National Park

The Sibillini National Park covers an area of 70,000 hectares, and has 20 peaks over 2000 metres. The home of wolves, eagles and wildcats the mountains are heavily wooded on their lower slopes, with bare , open tops higher up, and are riven by many spectacular gorges, including the Gola dell’Infernaccio. This wonderful area provides numerous opportunities for walking of all grades . This year we offer a number of walks in the lower to medium heights of the park. It is hoped that next year we will be adding some more demanding walks amongst the higher levels of the mountains.

Walk 4
A Walk to see the Grota dei Frati ( the Cave of the Rebel Friars )
and back through the Gorge of the Fiastra

Height climbed : 650 m
Highest point of walk : 850 m
Walking Time : 4.45 – 5.30 hrs

This walk starts at Lake Fiastra at the northern end of the National Park , and proceeds on footpaths high on the steep, wooded slope above the Fiastra valley to the Grota dei Frati. We then walk down through the woods to the valley bottom and walk through the dramatic gorge of the Gola di Fiastra before climbing back up to the lake.
Highlights – The Grota dei Frati with remnants of a medieval chapel inside the cave. The Lama Rosse rock formations. Stunning views down into the gorge. The walk through the gorge itself which at times is so narrow the walls meet overhead .

N.B the gorge walk involves some wading along the river so it is advisable to bring some suitable alternative footwear ( or be prepared to get your boots wet ! ). Some parts of this walk are difficult .

Cost : 35 euros pp

Walk 5
Gola d’Infernaccio

Height climbed : 500m
Highest point of walk : 1180 m
Walking Time : 4.00 – 5.00 hrs

The walk starts near the mouth of the gorge – a dramatic, rocky gash in the mountains carved by the river Tenna .  After climbing up through the gorge itself we ascend steadily up the valley between the rock walls of Monte Priora and Monte Sibilla to the source of the river at Capo del Tenna. Here the valley opens out to an area of mountain pasture surrounded by peaks and views back down the valley. We return back the way we came, but halfway  make a diversion up through magnificent beech woods to the Hermitage of San Leonardo and back down to the valley. The walk is entirely  on footpaths and a short stretch of strada bianca.
This is a superb day out and is highly recommended.
Highlights – The gorge, the beech woods, the mountain views – everything !

Cost : 35 euros pp

Walk 6
A circuit through the foothills of the Sibillinis

Height climbed : 500m
Highest point of walk :  1185 m
Walking Time : 4.00 – 5.00 hrs

This walk starts at the small hill village of Garulla and climbs steadily to the Rifugio (mountain refuge ) below Monte Amandola. It then passes below the impressive crags of Balzo Rosso to a view point from which you can look down into the deep valley of the Ambro and across at the towering cliffs and mountains that define it. We return to Garulla through peaceful hill country via the tiny villages of Capovalle and Casalicchio, passing the deserted Abbey of San Vincenzo en route, The walk is on footpaths and little used lanes and strada bianca.
Highlights – The Ambro valley views, the Abbey of San Lorenzo, mountain villages, great views throughout.

Cost : 35 euros pp

Walk 7
A climb to the grassy uplands of Monte Frascate

Height climbed : 620m
Highest point of walk :  1200 m
Walking Time : 4.45 – 5.30 hrs

The first half of this walk is on a section of the Grande Anello Sibillini ( a 9 day circuit of the National Park ). It climbs up from Lake Fiastre with increasingly impressive views of the main mountain range opening out behind , up onto wide, open, grassy uplands (managed as a nature reserve ) at 1200m . The return is via a lovely grassy ridge back down to the valley and the ancient hamlet of Vescia. The walk is on dirt roads, footpaths  and open, grassy hillsides.
Highlights – Two ancient country churches, views of the lake and wide vistas of the Sibillini mountains and the Appenines beyond.

Cost : 35 euros pp

Walk 8
An excursion by car and on foot through the northern part of the National Park

Height climbed : 300m
Highest point of walk : 1350 m
Walking Time : 2.00/ 3.00 hrs
Total time of excursion : 7 hrs

This is different to our other excursions in that it is part car tour and part walking trip. The drive enters the Park via the steep sided valley of the Fiastre river to Lake Fiastre. We stop at the head of the lake to explore the village of Trebbio with its ruined castle and abbey. Then on by car to Bolognola in the midst of the mountains. Here we will stop for a 2 or a 3 hour walk ( your choice ) up the hillside past the newly created nature reserve where Chamois have recently been re-introduced, to the Fonte d’Aquila. The walk is footpaths.
We will then continue by car up to the ski slopes of Sasso Tetto ( 1450m ) and down a spectacular mountain road to the town of Sarnano. Time permitting we will stop here for a walk through its ancient streets, alleys and piazzas and take a coffee or glass of wine in a bar with a superb view back up to the mountains we have recently left .

Cost : 45 euros pp