It’s been a while since we’ve been on a hike in the eastern part of the Sibillini mountains. These are the mountains local to us, but they never cease to amaze us with their beauty and their colours. The idea is to cross the entire range, this time from Monte Sibilla, south to Monte Vettore, then Forca di Presta and Pian Grande. From the Rifugio Sibilla lodge, which is still closed since the earthquake in 2016, after reaching the pass of Monte Zampa, we begin crossing the ridge with an unrivalled view. To the east there is a view of the Adriatic Sea, and the peaks of the Sibillini mountains to the south, appearing one after another in a natural show of the route we must take.
This is definitely the route where the wind whistles the most. Always at altitude, always on steep ridges, to reach Monte Porche. The trail becomes easier when we cross the Palazzo Borghese area to reach Monte Argentella. From here, the view over the valley of Lake Pilato makes us reflect on how different this area would have been millions of years ago. The glacial valley of Lake Pilato only has a few snowfields in the summer, in the steep channels protected by the ridges of Redentore. Owing to the water crisis caused by limited rainfall in recent years, the lake is in danger of drying out completely, and with it the small crustaceans native to the area will become extinct.
We continue our route, climbing from Forca Viola up the ridges of Redentore, with Castelluccio di Norcia, the Piana park and the colours of the blossom that paint a natural picture below us to the west. The wind accompanies us along the entire route, blowing constantly from west to east. It lashes the ridges as usual. In the Sibillini mountains it is certainly the dominant element.
From here, the view over the valley of Lake Pilato makes us reflect on how different this area would have been millions of years ago. The glacial valley of Lake Pilato only has a few snowfields in the summer, in the steep channels protected by the ridges of Redentore. Owing to the water crisis caused by limited rainfall in recent years, the lake is in danger of drying out completely, and with it the small crustaceans native to the area will become extinct. We continue our route, climbing from Forca Viola up the ridges of Redentore, with Castelluccio di Norcia, the Piana park and the colours of the blossom that paint a natural picture below us to the west.
The wind accompanies us along the entire route, blowing constantly from west to east. It lashes the ridges as usual. In the Sibillini mountains it is certainly the dominant element.
We carry on to the new Zilioli lodge and then descend to Forca di Presta at sunset. After setting up in the lodge and having something to eat, we look up. The wind has blown away the clouds rising from the plain, and the sky is almost perfectly clear. The total lack of light pollution, with just a few dim lights twinkling in the villages below, makes it possible to admire the Milky Way with the naked eye.
A natural sight that not everyone is lucky enough to witness. The Milky Way fills the celestial vault and dozens of shooting stars cross it, sometimes leaving very long trails. The Sibillini mountains are defined as magical because it is one of the few places in the world where the relationship with the elements of nature is truly intense.
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