7 - ASO VALLEY ROUTE Distance: km 20 Total climb: m 290 Difficulty: easy Time advised: half a day Prevalent types of interest on route: landscaping

This route starts in the town of Montemonaco situated on a hill at an altitude of 1000 m like a balcony overlooking the Sibylline Mountains and the Piceno hills as far as the Adriatic Sea. As well as having exceptional natural and historical value, this area is also linked to many evocative legends, such as those that still surround the Lake of Pilato and Mount Sibilla (Sibyl’s Mountain) with enchantment and mystery. From the base of Mount Sibilla, the path descends into the Aso valley and then ascends again to the village of Altino, another pleasant viewpoint. The route winds through the hamlets of Vallegrascia and Rascio at the foot of the long ridge that ascends to Mount Vettore (2476 m), the highest of the Sibylline Mountains. At the foot of Mount Torrone, at an altitude of 1159 metres, the path reaches the extremely ancient l ittle church of St Mary in Pantano which dates back to the end of the 8th century and has recently been restored. Its original name, "St Mary of the Sibyllines", testifies to the ancient and frequent custom of mixing Christian rituals with pagan ones.