New Year's Trekking in the heart of the Marche, in Frasassi, the protected area located right in the center of the region. The Gola della Rossa and Frasassi Natural Park will welcome us with its beauty and its excursions where we can appreciate its nature, landscapes, historical-artistic wonders and its food and wine peculiarities. A visit to the Frasassi Caves is a must, a path in the heart of the mountain among stalactites and stalagmites that create a unique scenery. If there is snow, we will spend the first day of 2025 with snowshoes on our feet on Monte Strega!
PROGRAM
Sunday 29 December 2024: Foro degli Occhialoni, typical lunch, Tempio del Valadier
Meeting in the morning in Frasassi at the thousand-year-old Abbey of San Vittore and excursion to the suggestive Foro degli Occhialoni, an authentic "hole" in the mountain resulting from the erosive action of the water on the limestone rocks of the Gola di Frasassi. On the way back, a short visit to the Paleo-Archaeological Museum of San Vittore to learn about “Marta”, the ichthyosaur of Genga and other fossils found in the many cavities and caves of this area, a true journey through time from the dinosaurs to the Roman era.
Lunch in one of the kiosks of Frasassi, where we will taste local cheeses and cured meats, a great way to delve into the flavors of these places.
In the early afternoon, a short and easy excursion with a visit to the scenic Temple of Valadier and the centuries-old Monastery of Infra Saxa, both built at the entrance to the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin of Frasassi: a spectacular place where, with a bit of luck, you can see the flight of the Golden Eagle and the Peregrine Falcon.
Transfer to the hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Excursion details: length 8.5 km, altitude difference 350 m, medium difficulty (E)
Monday 30 December 2024: Monte Valmontagnana, Frasassi Caves
From the hotel we will move towards Fabriano and Valmontagnana where, leaving the cars, we will start walking along the paths that will take us to the 930 m altitude of Monte Valmontagnana, one of the highest peaks of Frasassi. Mixed woods, rocks and breathtaking views: this is what we will enjoy on this excursion!
Packed lunch on the summit and then return to the cars to go and visit the Frasassi Caves, one of the most spectacular underground complexes in Europe... and which was until just under our feet! In fact, the caves are right in the heart of Valmontagnana!
After visiting the caves, we will return to the hotel to relax and, whoever wants, can take advantage of the beautiful SPA of the hotel or take a short walk to Genga and/or Sassoferrato.
Dinner and overnight stay
Excursion details: length 9 km, altitude difference 340 m, medium difficulty (T/E)
Tuesday 31 December 2024: Vall’Acera, Monte della Sporta
A long day excursion in the easternmost part of the Park: we will move to Poggio San Romualdo to walk in the suggestive Vall’Acera. A long and at times challenging route among ancient orchards, woods, rocks and spectacular views. We will reach Castelletta, a thousand-year-old village located on a rocky spur and return to Poggio San Romualdo crossing other woods, including one of the most beautiful beech forests of Frasassi. In Poggio San Romualdo we will then walk to Porcarella, the oldest group of houses that dominates the Valdicastro, and from here we will climb to the top of Monte della Sporta for the sunset: we will thus say goodbye to the last sun of 2024!
Return to the hotel to relax and have a New Year’s Eve dinner!
Hike details: length 18 km, altitude difference 730 m, medium-challenging difficulty (E)
Wednesday 1 January 2025: Monte Strega snowshoe hike or Sentiero dell’Aquila hike
Let’s welcome the new year with, hopefully, a snowshoe hike! If there is snow, in fact, we will go snowshoeing on the nearby Monte Strega, one of the most spectacular mountains in the province of Ancona. From the Daini Park, snowshoes on our feet, we will walk through woods, pastures and views that range from the sea to the Apennines.
If there is no snow, we will go on an excursion between Gola della Rossa and Gola di Frasassi: the Sentiero dell’Aquila! A pleasant up and down through woods and Mediterranean scrub, until we reach Monte di Frasassi where, from a panoramic point, we will dominate the landscape of the Park!
Whatever happens, it will be a great way to welcome in 2025! Around lunchtime we will finish the activities and return home.
Snowshoeing details: length 7 km, altitude difference 300 m, medium difficulty (E)
Excursion details: length 7.5 km, altitude difference 420 m, medium difficulty (E)
The guide, for organizational and/or meteorological reasons, could change the order of the excursions: the feasibility of some excursions, in fact, depends on the weather conditions and the presence or absence of snow.
Any allergies/food intolerances must be communicated at the time of booking
COSTS PER PERSON: €555
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: €110
TRIPLE REDUCTION: €25
BOOKINGS BY NOVEMBER 15 UNTIL PLACES ARE SOLD OUT
The participation fee includes makes: 3 nights in a double room with 3 breakfasts, 2 dinners and the New Year's Eve dinner (seafood) in the hotel and with live music; Environmental Hiking Guide Service for 4 excursions; Entrance fees and guided visits to the Frasassi Caves, the Valadier Temple, the Paleo-Archaeological Museum; Lunch in Frasassi; Tourist Guide Service; Medical and luggage insurance; Snowshoes supply.
The fee does not include: Car transfer; Packed lunches on the second and third day; Extra drinks; Anything not included in "The participation fee includes".
Transport
Own vehicles (car with winter tires, all-season tires or snow chains)
Meeting point
Sunday, December 29 at 9:30 am at the Abbey of San Vittore, Genga (AN)
Technical Direction: Balamontagna Viaggi di Marta Zarelli
Environmental Hiking Guide: Niki Morganti of Balamontagna Escursioni & Trekking
For reservations:
Balamontagna Viaggi
tel. 3334310165, email: info@passamontagnaviaggi.it
For information on excursions:
Niki (AIGAE Environmental Hiking Guide)
cell. 3286762576, email: niki@passamontagna.org
Adult price: €555
- Info and reservations
Guide: Niki Morganti
phone: 3286762576
e-mail: niki@passamontagna.org
- Useful details
Difficulty level: Hiking
Difference in altitude: 1,840 m
Actual travel time: 12 hours
Length: 43 km
- Requirements
Not being a first-time mountaineer, Being trained in walking, ability to walk uphill and downhill paths or dirt roads, Having good physical preparation,