Numero di stanze/Rooms: 3 stanze- 1 appartamento
Chiusura/Closed: 08/01- 31/01
Prezzo/Price: da - from 22
The owners Sandro, Daniela and Samule welcome you to their B & B / and holiday apartment La Madonnina. It's situated 70 m from the exit number 11 for Apiro-Mergo on the highway SS76 in the valley of the Esino. The caves of Frasassi are 10km away, the lake of Castreccioni is 15km, as well as Monte San Vicino. The airport Rafaello Sanzio in Ancona is 35km, the ferry port of Ancona is 43km.
The building, which has been recently restored by the owners, shows their love for traditional details. It has 3 double rooms, each with a TV and guests can enjoy a shared kitchen with table, couch and TV. You can use the kitchen for your meals and enjoy local products direct from fruit and produce markets.
Walks are possible to the nearby monastery of the Frati Bianchi as are biking tours. You can also taste the Verdicchio wine, local cheeses and buy fruit and vegetables out of the B & B's own garden.
The small ancient village of Castelbellino offers a welcoming atmosphere, where every stone has a memory, every street and every corner have a magical surprise.
Wander around the little-known cultural richnesses, drowning the sense of time in the ancient charm of powerful walls, severe portals, enchanting and colourful landscapes; be entranced by the profane delicacies like the smell of “vincisgrassi”, typical dish in the Marches, running away from the little windows carved into the walls or by the irresistible aroma of Verdicchio wine coming from the castle caves used as cellars.
When you join the village, park the car and go on foot to admire the panoramic views of Esino valley at the end of the multiple short lanes. Parallel to the main entrance road, a winding uphill street leads to Piazza San Marco: the old centre is made up of narrow streets, steep stairways and charming squares.
Admire the castle walls of the fifteenth century and take an exciting tour through the streets of the old town which retain all the charm of past years.
At the top of the castle, once crossed the ancient arch of Proferno way, have a sit in one of the benches in the garden for a fantastic view over the Esino valley. In Piazza San Marco, the Loggia Belvedere dating back to the Renaissance period was once used as a covered market and is today one of the most picturesque corners of Castelbellino: enjoy the pleasant view of the rolling hills overlapping each other to the sea.
Distance: km 35
Time advised: 3 hours
Difficulty: difficult
Starting from the parking in front of the cellar Colonnara and following the signs indicating the historic centre, take the road that leads to Staffolo until you reach the junction called Pian della Casa. Then turn to the right for Apiro. Once arrived in Apiro, head to Piani di Apiro; near the pool, follow the road down the hill that borders the pine forest . Continue until you cross the white road; turn right and shortly after, again on the right side of the church, take the white road downhill through the woods (dangerous descent, be careful!).
After a series of ups and downs through woodland, turn left for the tarmac road that leads to the source of Crevalcuore. Follow the tarmac road for about 2 km, turn left at the junction and go uphill on the white road until you reach Valcarecce. Having passed the hamlet, turn right; continue along the white road over a series of ups and downs and at the junction of the hamlet called Ca de Berti, take the road on the left which soon after reaches the Church of Colognola. At the next intersection with a large metal Crucifix, turn right and follow the main road downhill. From the stream Acqualta take the road to Staffolo and proceed downhill to San Paolo. Near the war memorial of San Paolo, take the tarmac road to the source of Barbanera and turn right onto the dirt road leading to the ditch of Follonica. Having crossed the first bridge, turn right for the second bridge where the steep path climbs up to San Michele.
Having passed the Church of San Michele, take the white road on the left following the sign indicating Contrada Colonnara. After about 600 metres, turn right at the junction and start climbing calmly because there is a difference in height of about 200 metres with a sixteen per cent gradient.
At the end of the climb marked by the “Stop”,follow the signs indicating “Conad” and you easily reach the point of departure.












