Consorzio Alta Valle del Potenza e Scarzito

We are in the Heart of the Marche region, exactly in the inland area of Macerata, closely connected with Umbria, with which we share the natural border of the Apennine Mountains, and looking towards the nearby Adriatic Sea. The new Tourist Consortium, which includes the territories of the Municipalities of Pioraco, Fiuminata, and Sefro, is part of a protected area of the Mountain Union "High Valleys of the Potenza and Esino" that also includes the nearby towns of San Severino Marche, Esanatoglia, Treia, Matelica, Castelraimondo, and Gagliole.

The natural signs of mountains and valleys that define its boundaries are represented to the west by the longitudinal line of the regional border, the Umbrian-Marchigian Apennine ridge with the main peaks of Monte Burella (1095 m), Monte Finiglia (1241 m) up to Monte Pennino (1571 m), a ridge crossable at the "Passo Cornello" (813 m), the main road connection with the Umbria region.

To the south, the line continues with Monte Camorlo (1397 m) up to the far Monte Igno (1345 m) and the border pass of "Bocchetta della Scurosa", once an important crossing point and footpath connection with the territory of Serravalle di Chienti and the plains of Colfiorito.

To the east, the territory borders the ancient municipality of Camerino, separated by the ridge of Costa di Campalto, with heights over 1200 m, from Monte Torroncello (1048 m), Monte di Mistrano (1165 m) up to Monte Primo (1299 m).

Finally, to the north, beyond the administrative border of Castelraimondo, the Consortium is separated from the municipalities of Matelica, Esanatoglia, and Fabriano by the ridge of

"Monte Castel Santa Maria" (1238 m), "Monte Gemmo" (1202 m), "Monte Cafaggio" (1116 m) up to "Monte Pordinaldo" (1119 m).

It often happens that those who set out to visit a distant place create an image very different from the reality.

Thus, a visitor may envision the Marche region as a sinuous area, composed of gentle hills descending towards the sea and forested mountains with gentle shapes.

Our region, in fact, offers all this but hidden from the view of tourists coming from the coast, there is a rocky territory, dotted with limestone outcrops that provide sublime views of mountains with inaccessible slopes, and deep gorges with overhanging walls, eroded by the flow of rivers with abundant crystalline waters.

Last but not least, the hidden underground world where the relentless work of water and time has created spaces and shapes that inspire, in the brave visitor, a mysterious wonder, where time seems to have stopped and the landscape’s forms change at every step, descending ever deeper into the abyss, in a dark world that shines with sparkling shapes under the light of the speleologist’s lamps.

In our area these diversities find their ideal placement and merge into a mountain territory still immersed in the tranquility of a bygone era.

To the east, the hills descending towards the ancient town of Camerino, the rocky gorges of Pioraco, the hidden villages of the Sefro area, with the forested valleys that protect the ceaseless flow of the pure and fish-rich waters of the Scarzito stream, the gentle shapes of the territory of Fiuminata, with its plains created by the long sedimentation of the Potenza river, and the Montelago Plateau, ideal for enjoying summer coolness.

These diversities, in addition to making the landscape interesting and never monotonous, offer the most adventurous the chance to practice many outdoor sports.

Primarily hiking, from shorter walks in the woods to long excursions through the numerous marked and signposted paths.

THE YOUNG PATHS

The trails we will guide you along are young, in the sense they have only recently been "rediscovered" with the precise goal of making them accessible to tourists.

The Tourist Consortium Alta Valle del Potenza e Scarzito has an extensive network of over 350 km, already equipped with vertical signs (poles and arrows) and horizontal signs (markers and small flags) compliant with national C.A.I. standards and recognizable internationally.

A precise distinction has been made in the horizontal signage, as on hiking and MTB routes the markers and flags are white/red, while the sections leading to the gorges, according to specific regulations requiring special attention, are marked in white/blue. The signage work was completed in 2015 and is fully available to tourists/hikers who will surely fall in love with these places. Most of the paths, besides hiking and trekking, are also accessible by MTB and horseback, with all the appropriate precautions.