Holiday apartment in Smerillo – nature, trails and local culture

Smerillo brings together a mountain setting, natural experiences and deeply rooted culture within a compact thematic area. The town is located on the 806-metre-high Monte Montefalcone and was built on the edge of a rocky ridge overlooking the Aso and Tenna valleys as well as the Sibillini Mountains.

Nature among woodland, rocks and water

The protected area of botanical importance, Bosco di Smerillo e Montefalcone, includes Smerillo. Bosco di Smerillo itself is a well-preserved submontane forest with several comparatively rare plant species. For nature observation in Smerillo, the woodland and comparatively rare plant species of the Bosco take centre stage; the rocky ridge directs the view towards the Aso and Tenna valleys and the Sibillini Mountains.

Culture and history around the town

Porta Nord marks the starting point of the Sentiero della Fessa nature trail. Smerillo is also home to the municipal Pinacoteca d’Arte Contemporanea at Via A. C. Nobili 11.

Older traces also shape the townscape. The first construction of the Castrum Smerilli probably took place between the 9th and 11th centuries. The Romanesque Chiesa di S. Caterina contains 13th-century frescoes. In the hamlet of Val di Tenna, a watermill dating from 1700 stands on the Tenna River. Chiesa di S. Caterina and the watermill are in different locations: the church is in Smerillo, while the mill is in Val di Tenna. The CEA Bosco di Smerillo is based at the Museo delle Scienze Naturali in Smerillo and offers various activities.

Chestnuts as part of the local tradition

The Castagnata in Piazza celebrates the importance of chestnuts in the local tradition. Traditional uses are showcased, including sweet dishes, bread and pizza, as well as roasted chestnuts, flour and beer. Traditional methods from harvesting and storage through to processing are also explored.

Trails for active discovery

The Anello di Montefalcone Appennino is a 7.5-kilometre trekking route from Montefalcone Appennino to Smerillo. For day planning, the trails have different conditions: the Anello covers 7.5 kilometres, while part of the Sentiero is currently inaccessible due to ongoing maintenance work. The Sentiero della Fessa leads from the town centre through Porta Nord along an old path to the Fessa, a spectacular rock gorge created by the collapse of part of the rock face. Important for planning: part of the described route is currently inaccessible due to ongoing maintenance work.

From the hamlet of Durano, you can reach the Fosso delle Anguille, a series of small lakes and waterfalls. At Durano, the focus is on small lakes and waterfalls; at the Fessa, on a rock gorge; and at the Pinacoteca, on contemporary art.

More destinations for trip planning

Ortezzano, Sant'elpidio A Mare, Rapagnano, Grottazzolina, Servigliano, Montappone, Magliano di Tenna, Campofilone

For the higher-level travel overview: Fermo.