Three unmissable trails in the Marche for spring walks

Spring is the perfect season to discover the Marche on foot: mild temperatures, blooming vegetation and longer days make hikes particularly enjoyable. Below are three routes with different landscapes and difficulty levels, plus practical tips for planning your outing.

• Lame Rosse (Lago di Fiastra)

  Clay formations resembling a small canyon set in greenery. The trail starts from the Lago di Fiastra dam area and alternates dirt tracks and woodland sections leading to panoramic viewpoints over the reddish cliffs.

  Details: distance ~6.5 km round trip; elevation gain 240–300 m; estimated duration 2.5–3 hours. Start point: parking and refreshment area near the dam.

• Monte Conero trails

  Paths that run through Mediterranean scrub to cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea. There are longer variants and shorter loops suitable for experienced hikers and family walks.

  Details: full loop 17–18 km; short variants 4–8 km; difficulty from moderate to challenging. Access: parking in Sirolo, Numana or Portonovo; bus connections from Ancona. Recommended viewpoints: Belvedere Sud, the little church of San Pietro and the view of Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle.

• Gola del Furlo

  A gorge carved by the Candigliano river, perfect for easy routes, wildlife watching and short historical walks along the Via Flaminia.

  Details: loop or out-and-back options; recommended distances 2.5–3 km per leg (half day); easy difficulty, family-friendly. Opportunities to spot raptors and enjoy meadows and scrubland.

Practical tips

• Clothing: trekking shoes, windproof jacket and layered clothing.
• Gear: enough water, energy snacks, map/GPS and a small first-aid kit.
• Safety: check weather forecasts and tell someone your planned route.
• Conduct: respect nature: no open fires, take your litter with you and follow trail signs.
• Photography: best light in the early morning or late afternoon.

These three trails reveal different faces of the Marche — rocky formations, seaside panoramas and Apennine gorges — and can be organized easily for a spring day out in nature.