Wildflower walks in the Sibillini

John and Jennifer Kelly
Edited by Andrea Livi


This book, written in both English and Italian has over 200 photographs of the spectacular countryside and flowers of the Sibillini Mountains, in the province of Le Marche, Italy. These mountains, located only 50 kilometers from the Adriatic coast, afford many enjoyable, scenic walks at elevations up to 8000 feet. The walks vary from easy, meandering up some gentle valleys, to very strenuous over the tops of the mountains. In every case there are wonderful panoramas and the wide variety of habitat ensures a rich assortment of wild flowers, particularly in the spring and fall.

In the spring, as the snow melts the plateaus and then the valleys become carpets of narcissi, quickly followed by orchids, pansies, violets, and cowslips to name but a few. In some years the fields below blush red with a brilliant display of wild poppies.

People often ask about the province, expecting to find large, well known towns like Florence, or Bologna, but no, here there is a wealth of small towns, many of them crowning impossibly steep hills, to whose tops they have clung since mediaeval times. Each has its own character, and usually a hidden treasure of some kind.


The book illustrates the flowers in their most common habitat. The floral journey starts near the coast, then works its way inland along the winding country roads where banks and hedges shelter a wide variety of blooms.  Ascending through fields of poppies to the foothills of the Sibillini where, particularly around Amandola, there are excellent walks to enjoy. To the south are the valleys of the Ambro, the Gola dÕinfernaccio (the throat of hell), and Piano della Gardosa at Foce, on the trail to Lago di Pilato. To the North is the Valle Tre Santi, and to the West the Valle del Fargno near Bolognola.  

One of the most spectacular displays of wildflowers is to be found on the high plateau known as the Pintura di Bolognola. Here orchids abound, as well as the spectacular white asphodel, or lonely lily. This area, which can be reached by a paved road, once the winter snows have melted, affords some truly spectacular panoramas.

The book has 145 pages and is approximately 10 by 11.5 inches, printed on high quality paper and is only available at this time as a hard cover book. Printed and stitch bound in Italy.

Copies of this book can be obtained in the USA from John Kelly at MarcheMagic@pacbell.net. The price in the US at this time is $40 retail plus shipping and tax (California only). Please pay by check made to John Kelly.

In Italy, or elsewhere in Europe books can be obtained from Andrea Livi Editore; The price is euro 35 plus shipping. Please contact Andrea Livi; Largo Falconi, 2, 63023 Fermo,

Tel 0734 227 527 Fax 0734 215 287 or by email; andrealivieditore@tin.it  ISBN 88-7969-219-4