La Magia della Sibilla, un itinerario nell’alta via delle Marche
Back La Magia della Sibilla, un itinerario nell’alta via delle Marche
The itinerary map
The stages of the itinerary
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Montefortino - Hermitage of S.Leonardo al VolubrioStrada Comunale dello Stretto delle Pisciarelle , s.n.c. Montefortino (FM)0736.859101 (Comune)The stage includes the following destinations: Eremo di San Leonardo
The hermitage and sanctuary San Leonardo al Volubrio can be reached from the Infernaccio Gorge in the Sibillini mountains walking along a trail that goes upwards to the right and passes into a centuries-old beech wood. The hermitage has been rebuilt by the Capuchin friar Pietro Lavini, who lived in solitude in the monastery for 25 years in order to bring it back to its original splendour. The old Priory is one of the oldest and nicest monasteries in the Marche. In the past it was the seat of an active Benedictine Priory, associated with the Monastery of Santa Croce of Fonte Avellana (PU) from the 12th to the 15th century; at a later date the Priory was assigned to the Camaldolese Hermits of MonteCorona, who kept it until the property passed to the State after the Italian Unification.
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La Grotta della Sibilla
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Lago di PilatoMontemonaco (AP)0736/856462 ( luglio- ottobre)The stage includes the following destinations: Lago di Pilato
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Montemonaco- From Lake Pilato to the plains of Castelluccio amidst legend and mystery34.44 km; difficult
One of the most popular paths among Alpine bikers is the one that takes you from Lake Pilato Forca di Presta through the plains of Castelluccio. A challenging ride, but the effort is rewarded by the magnificent views. Remember you are still on the “magical” slope of the Sibillini, and Lake Pilato has its own legend - in fact it has many. One is that after his execution, the body of Pontius Pilate was dragged by oxen to the lake’s interior, which can occasionally be seen turning red. Apart from legend, this place is highly evocative, and the lake basin seems to change shape from season to season until it resurrects the form for which it was re-baptised: the “Lake with Glasses”. And the colour red? The lake's waters do in fact turn red during certain periods of the year - during the hatching season of the small "Fairy Shrimp" that has its habitat here - the Chirocefalo Marchesoni.
Due to the earthquake of 24th August 2016, the municipality of Montemonaco forbade anyone from accessing the mouth of the Lake Pilato.