Monte Conero, the green promontory that plunges into the Adriatic

A few kilometers from Ancona, in the Marche region, lies one of those places that leaves you breathless at first sight: the Monte Conero Regional Natural Park. It is the only rocky relief on the central Adriatic coast and rises imposingly up to 572 meters above the sea, offering breathtaking panoramas. The park offers over 20 trails that lead to spectacular panoramic points such as Belvedere del Nord, Pian Raggetti, or the Passo del Lupo.

Here you walk amidst the scents of nature until you reach the end of the trail where you can observe the cliff falling sheer into the sea. Monte Conero is also a concentration of wonderful small beaches. In fact, at its feet are some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, such as the Due Sorelle beach, where the water is transparent, the cliffs are white, and the peace is absolute. A little further on are the beaches of San Michele, Sassi Neri, and Portonovo, which offer wilder and more accessible settings.

For birdwatching lovers, the park hosts raptors like the peregrine falcon, and enthusiasts can take refuge in the huts scattered along the quieter trails to observe them. Beneath Monte Conero there are a series of natural caves and ancient rock settlements that were used by Benedictine monks as hermitages. Some can also be visited, such as the Cammino delle Rosse (Path of the Reds), which is a route more suitable for those seeking a spiritual experience.

Another gem is the Rosso Conero, a fine wine obtained from Montepulciano grapes. The wineries with sea views serve it, and they are ideal for those also looking for a refined taste experience. The Conero park always has something that will win you over, from trekking, to wine, to the wildest photography.

cover photo credits leoks