Castelluccio: Plateau, Trails and Transhumance

Castelluccio di Norcia is located on the Piani di Castelluccio plateau and in the Monti Sibillini National Park. The Piani are a karst and alluvial plateau of the Umbrian-Marche Apennines. For planning your trip, the area combines landscapes, distinctive underground waterways, hiking routes and the ancient transhumance tradition.

Landscape, Karst and Regional Agriculture

The karst formations include the sinkholes known as the Mergani: they channel rainwater into underground aquifers. Macchia Cavaliera is a surviving section of beech forest where several animal species, including wolves, find refuge. Those who wish to compare karst and beech forest will find two different landscape forms on the plateau.

Local farmers traditionally grow lentils, refraining from using pesticides and allowing other spontaneously growing plant species to grow between the fields. The Fioritura in Castelluccio takes place from the end of May to mid-July. Those who wish to include the Fioritura in their trip should plan their visit within the clearly defined seasonal period.

Hiking and Activities on the Plateau

The official “Upon the Vanished Lake” hiking trail starts and ends in Castelluccio, runs across the Pian Grande, is 21.9 km long, takes approximately six hours and has difficulty rating E – Hiking. As a circular route starting and ending in Castelluccio, the tour can be planned easily without changing the starting point. On this hike, the return to Castelluccio is already included in the stated time frame because the official trail starts and ends there.

On the Castelluccio plateau, excursions, trekking, mountain biking, birdwatching, rafting, hang gliding and paragliding are possible; mule trekking in Castelluccio follows old pack-animal trails.

In Castelluccio, Volo libero offers tourist tandem flights by hang glider or paraglider accompanied by instructors. The Castelluccio Dream Experience includes guided astro-trekking at night with astronomical observations and telescopes. It also includes a day as a shepherd, with insights into the ancient transhumance tradition and the opportunity to actively make your own cheese.

Houses, Church and Fortified History

In the townscape, the old houses of Castelluccio form a concentric settlement structure that developed along an important pastoral transhumance route. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta dates from the 16th century.

La Torraccia consists of the ruins of the Torre Nuova, also known as Torre di Cavaliera, which was probably built in the second half of the 14th century; from this strategic point, the surrounding area was effectively controlled.

Orientation in the Area

From the road near the bend before the climb to the pass, a path follows Park Trail 556 to the Fosso dei Mergani sinkhole and then returns to the starting point. The Monti Sibillini National Park has no fences or entrance gates; visiting its area requires neither an admission ticket nor any fee or reservation.

Other Places in the Travel Area

Montignano, Corcia, Pietralunga, Macchie, Casalalta, Volterrano, Monte Del Lago, Ospedalicchio

To the overarching travel overview: Perugia.