If you need to recharge your batteries, go cycling on the plain of Castelluccio di Norcia, in the Sibillini Mountains, between Umbria and Marche. To get there you can choose one of three sides: from Norcia, from Visso and from Arquata del Tronto. They all lead to the plain where the small town of Castelluccio dominates, on the slopes of Monte Vettore.
We are right in the center of the crater of the recent 2016 earthquake which destroyed a large part of the surrounding villages but which could not change the charm of uncontaminated nature, decidedly indifferent to seismic events.
The Castelluccio plain is one of the most beautiful and fascinating places in central Italy and is worth a trip. Known since ancient times, it has always been considered a magical place. From Lake Pilate on Vettore, to the Sibyl's cave on the mountains that took their name from her, rather than the history of the places, the legends of esoteric magical gatherings of magicians from all over Europe have been handed down.
This atmosphere can still be felt today. The sight that presents itself as soon as you cross one of the three sides (especially coming from Norcia) is decidedly exciting: an expanse of grass, without trees, for kilometres, crossed by a straight road that divides the plain in two with surrounding green hills , dominated by the presence of Monte Vettore, with the summit almost always surrounded by thick clouds.
The "little Tibet" can be fully appreciated in autumn, possibly not during the weekend, as it is also very popular with paragliding lovers, motorcyclists and "hit and run" tourists looking for selfies during the famous "castelluccio flower festival".
The Castelluccio plain is beautiful to travel far and wide by bike, but even more beautiful is getting there by tackling the three beautiful climbs from Norcia, Visso and Arquata del Tronto.