Janus 100 Miles – Anello di Giano is a challenging mountain loop of approximately 175.7 km, starting and finishing in Fabriano, in the Central Apennines of Italy, between the Marche and Umbria regions.
The route is inspired by the original Anello di Giano, a long-distance hiking itinerary of approximately 135 km, divided into ten stages and documented by the Fabriano section of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI). Building on this historical hiking itinerary, Janus 100 Miles represents a longer, adapted version developed for continuous ultra-distance trail running, following extensive exploration and reconnaissance of the territory.
The circuit connects some of the most distinctive landscapes of the Umbrian-Marche Apennines, passing through the mountain areas of Monte Serrasanta, Monte Cucco and Monte Catria, the Frasassi area and the Monte San Vicino massif.
Along the way, runners experience forested valleys, mountain ridgelines, limestone landscapes, historic villages and centuries-old religious sites, including the hermitage of Val di Sasso, the Abbey of Sitria and the Monastery of Fonte Avellana.
What makes this route special is the combination of demanding mountain terrain, geographical continuity and cultural heritage. Rather than being an arbitrary collection of trails, it follows the geographical and historical identity of an established mountain circuit, connecting two major Apennine ridges and the valleys between them.
The name Giano refers to Janus, the two-faced Roman god associated with beginnings, endings and transitions, symbolising a circular journey that eventually returns to its starting point.
Beyond its athletic dimension, the Anello di Giano is an opportunity to explore and rediscover a lesser-known part of the Italian Apennines, bringing attention to its landscapes, historic trails and local communities.
In 2026, an assisted continuous traversal of an earlier version of the route was completed and subsequently documented by the trail-running publication MyTrails. The experience contributed to the further development and documentation of the project.
Route documentation and references:
