Monte Vettore - Monte Torrone - Sasso D'Andrè - Cima di Pretare da Forca di Presta - Monti Sibillini

#abruzzotrekking1962 #civitacastellanatrekking #fidenetrekking #fernando #fidene #civitacastellana #rome #excursion #hiking #trekking #gransassoditalia #montisibillini #montireatini #montidellalaga #montiernici #velino #sirente #montisimbruini #pnalm #maiella #mainarde #montilucretili #montagnedelladuchessa #pollino #toscoemiliano #monte Vettoretto #monte Vettore #montetorrone #sassodandre #cimadipretare #montisibillini #ilpizzo #forcadipresta #castellucciodinorcia Mount Vettore (from the Latin "victor", «winner», as it "surpasses the other mountains of the Sibylline Chain"), with its 2,476 meters of altitude, is the highest mountain relief of the Sibillini Mountains massif and among the most important peaks of the Apennines. Vettore is the highest and most recognizable mountain in the Marche region, as the highest peak of the mountain range falls within the municipality of Arquata del Tronto (province of Ascoli Piceno), which is also part of the Sibillini Mountains National Park. In the shadow of the summit lies a glacial cirque that is home to the small Lago di Pilato, the region's only natural lake. Located in the Umbria-Marche Apennines on the border between Umbria and Marche, the Vettore mountain range has three slopes within different municipalities: the western slope of Norcia (Umbria), the southern slope of Arquata del Tronto, and the eastern slope of Montegallo (Marche). The northwest ridge connects to the other peaks of the Sibillini Mountains, marking the Tyrrhenian-Adriatic divide. On the northern side, the mountain range is divided by the Aso Valley, a river that rises at Foce di Montemonaco. Seen from above, the mountain range has a characteristic U-shape, encompassing several peaks, following the arc from west to east: Quarto San Lorenzo, Cima del Redentore (2,448 m), Pizzo del Diavolo (2,410 m), Cima del Lago (2,423 m), Monte Vettoretto (2,032 m), Vettore itself, and Monte Torrone (2,102 m). The main peak offers a very wide view that reaches all regions of central Italy: in addition to the other peaks of the Sibillini and the Umbria-Marche Apennines, it is possible to admire the Monti della Laga and Gran Sasso to the southeast, Terminillo to the southwest, the Monti Gemelli, the Marche coast all the way to the Adriatic Sea to the east. On clear days, it is easy to see other massifs of Abruzzo, such as Velino and Maiella, as well as some mountains on the Tyrrhenian coast, such as Amiata and Pratomagno in Tuscany and Cimino in Lazio. To the west, however, Cima del Redentore dominates the panorama, overlooking the plateau of Castelluccio di Norcia is known for its lentil cultivation and its flowering season. On the south side, near the Forcella delle Ciaule pass, is the Tito Zilioli refuge (2,238 m above sea level); the bivouac was rebuilt following the central Italy earthquake and is currently managed by the Ascoli Piceno Italian Alpine Club. At the head of the Aso Valley, beneath the rock face of Pizzo del Diavolo, Lake Pilato can be seen from the summit at 1,941 meters above sea level. Although it is fed primarily by snowmelt and its maximum diameter is no more than 400 meters, this small glacial lake is of great interest to naturalists and biologists, still hosting a peculiar endemic species: the Marchesoni's Chirocefalo, a native species of reddish crayfish that reaches a length of 9–12 mm.