The trail

You will continue east of Norcia before entering the Monti Sibillini National Park. This is one of Italy’s hidden treasures, and an outdoor sports paradise. Little known to foreign visitors, the Sibillini Mountains comprise soaring limestone mountains and one of the highest peaks on the Italian mainland – Monte Vettore at 2476 metres. The stark bareness of these mountains is striking. Wolves, chamois and brown bears all live here. You may even be lucky enough to see a rare golden eagle. But you won’t miss the impressive sights of the Piano Grande, a huge 16 square kilometre plain surrounded by the mountains. In spring, the high plains surrounding the medieval hill town of Castelluccio (Pian Grande, Pian Piccolo and Pantani di Accumoli), are a carpet of wild flowers. If there is a more beautiful example of Italy’s spring in bloom, we are yet to find it

Riding surface

At the Monti Sibillini National Park there are numerous marked bike paths to explore, from fun technical singletracks to 4×4 trails. On leaving Sibillini and on entering the Monti Della Laga, you will make your way to Lago Campotosto on largely asphalt road.

Average mileage

The distance from Norcia to Lago Campotosto is a maximum of 100km and about 2650 metres elevation. However, the final 45km is on scenic asphalt, and there are many shortcuts possible.