Four days of trekking along the GAS, the Grande Anello dei Sibillini, a route that “goes around” the Monti Sibillini National Park. Of the 124 km in total, we will travel about 60 along the 4 stages from Castelluccio to Monastero. We will cross different environments, from the plateaus of Castelluccio to the wooded mountains of Visso and the pastures of Macereto, from Lake Fiastra to the views of the Lame Rosse. A journey steeped in nature, beauty, food and wine, history and legends.
PROGRAM
October 23 (day 1): Castelluccio - Campi Stage
The meeting point is in Castelluccio di Norcia (PG), at 10.00, where this four-day trek officially begins. The route winds along the ridge that surrounds the Castelluccio basin to the south and west, until reaching Forca di Giuda (1,794 m), the highest point reached by the GAS, from which it descends into the Campiano Valley and then to Campi Vecchio. The Castelluccio basin is the result of slow movements of distension of the earth's crust and the sedimentation of debris in the bottom of a now disappeared lake. Three areas can be recognized in it: the Pian Grande, dominated to the east by the imposing "coste del Vettore", the Pian Piccolo and the Pian Perduto. The Piani offer one of the most evocative landscapes of the Park, the result of the action of nature, but also of the work of man who has cultivated lentils here for hundreds of years. The wide expanses of the plateaus, the scene of spectacular blooms in summer, are dominated by the solitary village of Castelluccio, located on a hill at 1,452 m above sea level. Continuing towards Campi, the landscape changes completely and the solitary expanses of the Piani give way to the scenery of the Campiano Valley dotted with villages, castle ruins and interesting churches.
Itinerary features:
Length: 20 km
Travel time: 6 h 30
Difference in altitude uphill 450 m
Difference in altitude downhill: 600 m
Accommodation in Agriturismo, meals included: dinner
October 24 (day 2): Campi - Visso stage
The first stage leads to Visso, still damaged by the 2016 earthquake, first crossing some peaks between 1,200 and 1,300 m above sea level on the border between Umbria and Marche, and then descending into the wooded valley of Visso. The “new” green of the trees in spring and the Apennine landscapes will accompany us throughout the excursion. Once in Visso, a short transfer to reach the hotel in Castelsantangelo sul Nera.
Itinerary features:
Length: 10 km
Travel time: 3 h 30
Difference in altitude: 350 m
Difference in altitude: 600 m
Accommodation in Hotel. Meals included: breakfast / typical dinner
October 25 (day 3): Stage Visso - Fiastra
The itinerary, starting from the historic center of Visso, retraces a stretch of the ancient road that connected the Kingdom of Naples with the Chienti Valley and Loreto. The route winds along the slopes of Mount Careschio, skirting it until reaching the Piani di Macereto, from which it continues until reaching the small village of Cupi. The environment is characterized by plateaus that open wide views of the imposing wall of Mount Bove Nord and the Valleys of Visso and Ussita. The presence of large pastures bears witness to the centuries-old tradition of sheep farming; while among the cultivated fields, often bordered by dry stone walls, the visible signs of ancient terraces indicate that once the crops were grown higher up. Along the way, you come across the Sanctuary of Macereto, built in the 16th century, which includes the basilica and the adjacent Palazzo delle Guaite, enclosed by a wall with an internal portico that served as a refuge for pilgrims and transhumant shepherds. You continue on the pastures of Monte Val di Fibbia and the Valle di Campobonomo, to climb further along the ridge of M. Coglia and finally descend to Fiastra. Looking up, it is easy to spot birds of prey, such as the kestrel and the buzzard, in search of rodents and other prey that live in the pastures, or experience the intense emotion of seeing a rock partridge fly away. Further ahead, the gaze is lost in the fertile Camerino valley and the breathtaking view of Lake Fiastra, nestled between fertile hills dotted with small churches and rural villages. On the hill of S. Paolo, clearly visible for those coming down from Coglia, stands the ancient Castrum Fiastrae, now Castello dei Magalotti, of which the remains of the solid perimeter walls and the central keep are still clearly visible. Here, the population fled from enemy invasions with food and livestock.
Itinerary characteristics:
Length: 21 km
Travel time 7 h
Difference in altitude uphill 1070 m
Difference in altitude downhill 960 m
Services included (overnight stay in a refuge in a double room with linen, shared services, dinner)
26 October (day 4): Stage Fiastra - Monastero
After breakfast, we set off for the last excursion of the trek along the stage from Fiastra to Monastero. We will enter the Fiastrone Valley characterised by a deep and incised rocky gorge on whose walls many species of birds nest.
birds, such as the Peregrine Falcon and the Wallcreeper, and where there are many ancient testimonies of human presence, today represented by hermitages and abbeys. First, however, we will enjoy the wonderful views of Lake Fiastra as we climb from San Lorenzo al Lago towards the woods and pastures of Podalla, where it is not uncommon to come across tracks of wolves and deer. Upon arrival at Monastero, private transfer to Castelluccio di Norcia, end of our services. Itinerary features:
Length: 11 km
Travel time: 4 hours
Difference in altitude uphill 560 m
Difference in altitude downhill 660 m
Services included: breakfast
COST: €470 (single supplement €100)
The fee includes
Overnight stay in double/triple/quadruple rooms
Dinners from day 1 to day 3, with drinks (water and wine) included except for dinner on day 1
Environmental Hiking Guide with regular R.C. insurance
Luggage transfer
Medical and luggage insurance
Final transfer from Monastero to Castelluccio di Norcia
The fee does not include:
Anything not mentioned in the services included
Packed lunches
Transport INCLUDED
Luggage transport and transfer at the end of the trek to return to Castelluccio di Norcia are included.
Participants will have to organize themselves independently to reach the starting point and return to their destinations at the end of the trek. We will take care of putting participants in contact to share the trip.
RESERVATIONS
Basalmontagna Viaggi: +39.333.4310165 info@passamontagnaviaggi.it
Adult price: €470
- Info and reservations
- Useful details
Hiking difficulty level
Difference in altitude: + 2,430 m, - 2,820 m
Actual travel time: 21 hours
Length: 61 km
- Requirements
Not being a first-time mountaineer, Being trained in walking, able to walk uphill and downhill paths or dirt roads, Having good physical preparation,