Where the sky meets the mountains: the best "secret" viewpoints in the Marche region

In the north of the Marche region, the Furlo Gorge offers some of the most spectacular and least frequented viewing points in the region, known as the Furlo terraces. If time and energy are on your side, you can take on one of the trails starting from different points in the gorge: from Golena del Furlo to the areas along the ancient Via Flaminia, up to the dam on the Candigliano river.

Whichever access route you take, a hiking trail through the woods awaits you, with a climb that alternates between shade and light. Passing through unexpected clearings and glimpses of the landscape, you arrive at the lower terrace: a natural balcony from which to take in the sheer size of the gorge, follow the course of the river below and let yourself be enveloped by the silence. From here, a steep path leads you to the upper terrace, over 600 metres above sea level. As the horizon widens, the rocky walls appear even more vertical, and the view extends across the entire Furlo Gorge. Pause for a few minutes, inhale deeply, and look upwards: the sky appears to merge with the rock, and with a bit of luck, you may spot birds of prey flying over this extraordinary natural balcony.

Moving forward towards the heart of the Apennines, the landscape becomes more expansive and bright. From Monte San Vicino, above Matelica, you will find yourself on a natural terrace overlooking the Esino valley, one of the most expansive and peaceful views in the Marche hinterland. After reaching the plateau at the summit, short walks lead you to vantage points where you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the valleys, ridges and mountains.

On clear days, the view stretches far into the distance, all the way to the Conero headline and the horizon of the Adriatic Sea. The contrast between the mountains and the sea creates a striking, vibrant view, perfect if you love open, airy landscapes. Pause for a few minutes: this is where the sky seems to come closer to the earth, and the silence completes the experience.

Heading down towards the heart of the Marche region, Pioraco welcomes visitors with lesser-known but equally charming views. Here, the landscape is sculpted by water and rock: around the village, you can discover natural terraces and spontaneous viewpoints that open onto the valley and the surrounding mountains, tracing the shape of the gorges and waterways, first and foremost the Potenza River, that cross the territory.

One of the most striking viewpoints is the "Passerella del Bacio" (Kissing Footbridge), which, although not a panoramic balcony in the traditional sense, offers a close-up and surprising view of the dialogue between rock, springs and sky. It can easily be reached on foot from the centre of the village, with a short stroll along the flat paths that run alongside the water. Here, the panorama never unfolds all at once, but rather reveals itself little by little, inviting you to slow down and take in an authentic corner of the Marche region.

Continuing southwards, Smerillo appears before you as a tiny village perched on a rocky ledge, not surprisingly nicknamed the "Roof of the Marche". Upon arriving in the village, you can leave your car just outside the historic centre and walk a few minutes to the viewpoints that surround the village. Just beyond the houses, you will come across the Belvedere Adriatico, a simple and peaceful natural terrace overlooking the Smerillo valley, the Sibillini Mountains and, when the weather is clear, the Adriatic Sea.

Here, the panorama is vast and captivating, following every step between the village and the paths that lead into the surrounding woods. At sunrise and sunset, the light bathes the peaks in a delicate glow, revealing the subtle nuances that make Smerillo's nickname, "Cittadella della Poesia" (Citadel of Poetry), so fitting. Take a moment to stop, breathe deeply and let your gaze wander: in this little corner of the Marche region, the mountains, the hills and the sea come together in a unique, rare silence.

In Bolognola you will find yourself surrounded by a deeply mountainous landscape, one of the most unspoilt in the Sibillini Mountains. Among the highest villages in the Marche region, the village offers clear, vertical views, where the peaks appear very close and the sky stretches as far as the eye can see. From the centre of the village and the surrounding roads, you can easily reach unexpected viewpoints and natural observation points without having to stray too far or take complicated routes.

Heading up towards Pintura, a small high-altitude hamlet just above the village, the landscape becomes even more stark. Among the woods and pastures, short walks lead to little-known scenic spots from which you can see the imposing profiles of Monte Priora and Monte Bove, which seem almost within reach. Take a moment to stop and pause, especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon: this is when the landscape changes with the light, the silence is profound, and the mountain reveals itself without filters.

In the heart of the Marche region, in the province of Ascoli Piceno, Montemonaco greets you as a mountain village that sits in perfect harmony with the peaks of the Sibillini Mountains. A short distance beyond the historic centre, you can stroll along narrow streets and enjoy panoramic views overlooking the upper Aso Valley and the Tenna Valley, offering sweeping vistas of the surrounding pastures, woods and peaks. Here, the landscape is a never-ending dialogue between the valleys, ridges and sky, changing with the light and the seasons. A natural viewpoint that invites you to slow down and take in the view, ideal if you love authentic mountain landscapes and that sense of deep balance between earth and air that only the Apennines can offer.

For a truly breathtaking view, make your way up to the hamlet of Altino, where you will find the picturesque Belvedere delle Bandiere viewpoint. In just a few minutes' walk, you will find yourself surrounded by a panorama that encompasses Monte Vettore, Monte Sibilla and the most imposing mountains in the national park. From here, the profile of the mountain ridges appears to be carved into the sky, and at sunset the peaks are tinged with orange and purple. It is a place that encourages silence and reflection, perfect for connecting with the Marche mountains and savouring every moment of light and scenery.