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Among Italy’s mountain railways, the Spoleto–Norcia line, designed in 1912, represented a daring and challenging undertaking – almost a work of railway art.

Nestled amongst the Apennines, yet considered an Alpine railway due to its altitude, the Spoleto–Norcia line was a true gem of engineering: over a mere 51 kilometres, it featured 19 tunnels, including the Caprareccia pass tunnel, almost 2 kilometres long, 24 bridges and viaducts – some with helical sections – and gradients of up to 45 per thousand! A true artistic and landscape heritage site, abandoned for far too many years, which finally returned to its former glory in 2014. Following restoration and stabilisation work on the old route, a unique pedestrian and cycle path of around 34 km was opened, featuring tunnels, viaducts, rugged gorges and watercourses. The Spoleto–Norcia route is a historic and nature-based itinerary listed among Italy’s Cultural Heritage sites, attracting nature, outdoor and mountain enthusiasts.

Our tour will take you by e-bike along the route from Spoleto to Terni, accompanied, of course, by an expert guide.

Itinerary:

Day 1

Arrival in Spoleto, check-in at your accommodation and some free time to explore the town centre. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2

Breakfast and check-out. Meet the guide and set off from the centre of Spoleto towards S. Anatolia di Narco and Scheggino. The tour begins with a visit to the most significant monuments accessible by bicycle: the Rocca, the Ponte delle Torri, the Duomo, the Piazza del Mercato and the Arco di Druso. We continue to the start of the former Spoleto–Norcia railway line to reach the square at S. Anatolia di Narco. Guided tour of the Hemp Museum, followed by a visit to the Abbey of San Felice e Mauro in Castel San Felice. This is the most beautiful stretch of the Spoleto–Norcia route, featuring Spoleto’s main treasures and one of the most beautiful Benedictine abbeys in the Valnerina. Check-in, dinner and overnight stay. Total distance: approx. 30 km; duration: approx. 3 hours.

Day 3

Breakfast and check-out. Departure from Castel San Felice towards Arrone. The route begins shortly after joining the former railway line near Sant’Anatolia di Narco. The route is beautiful and easy, almost entirely on dirt tracks as far as the Marmore Falls. Setting off from the Benedictine Abbey of San Felice and Mauro, the route passes through Sant’Anatolia, Scheggino, Ceselli, Ferentillo, Arrone, Casteldilago and the Marmore Falls (entrance to the Marmore Falls Park and access to the trail network), and Terni. Arrival at the railway station and return to Spoleto by train. Total: 35 km, duration approximately 3 hours.

N.B. Option to add an extra night’s accommodation on the third day