Croce del Corno (Punta Sofia)

This giant cross, located along the ridges of the rocky amphitheatre dominated by Mount Corno alle Scale (1945 m), is a very popular attraction among tourists.

Lake Scaffaiolo, lying between Spigolino, Cupolino and Mount Corno alle Scale, offers a unique landscape of extreme biodiversity and stunning scenic points, the only mountain ridge in Italy from whence the view expands far northwards beyond the Alps, westwards until embracing the Tyrrhenian Sea, Sardinia and Corsica, and eastwards up to the Adriatic Sea.

The characteristic vegetation primarily consists of moors and low shrubs of black blueberry, known as l’Oro Viola del Corno (The Purple Gold of Corno alle Scale), but may occasionally include also cowberry bushes and shrubs of Empetrum Hermaphroditum, which are typically present in the alpine moorland.

The grasslands of Corno alle Scale are the perfect spot for photographers to immortalize the rare native flora (wild orchids and other species), as well as for visitors to walk in search of minerals and springs of pure mountain water.

Birdwatching is another important attractive element of the area, populated by different birds of prey, such Golden Eagles and Hawks, and by different ungulates, first of which Mouflons.

In addition to the Croce del Corno, other honourable mentions are the Valle del Silenzio (Silent Valley), Lake Scaffaiolo, Lake Cavone and the Balzi dell’Ora (Ora leaps).

Close to Le Polle is where two huge beeches stand, monumental trees that have been sedulously watching over the Apennines’ forests for centuries.