Hikink and biking

in the Conero Park

The regional park of Mount Conero marks a brusque change in the monotonous stretch of low-lying beaches of the Adriatic coastline. Its particularly lovely landscape, wedged between an indented rocky coastline marked by pebbled small beaches and coves, and the rolling quiet hills of the hinterland of the Marche Region, is dotted with ancient small towns, some of which date back to the Middle Ages.

Monte Conero, 570 meters high, offers trekking opportunities with paths of different length and difficulty, and allows practice of Nordic walking, horse-riding, mountain-biking and glider-flying.

The most popular ride is the “Conero crossing”, a walk starting from “Poggio” which skirts the steep mountain face and reaches up to the former Camaldoli monastery and the Romanesque “Badia” of St. Peter's.

The Mount is almost completely covered with typical “ Macchia Mediterranea” (Mediterranean undergrowth) where the holm-oak and the sea oak are most widespread. The name “Conero” derives from the frequent presence of a bush, the strawberry-tree, which has sweet red berries and has become the symbol of the whole area. In spring, the broom flower, so dear to the poet Leopardi, and the brier rose make up the unique landscape.