ANUJ

Unfortunately no, there isn't much updated information out there. Even our hosts in Ascoli suggested we retrace back to Macerata along the coastal autoroute and take the main roads to Spello as the condition of / access to roads seems unclear. There's military personnel deputed near Acquasanta Terme and in Castelluccio, who were happy to volunteer information when asked. I'm glad we attempted the route anyway and it all worked out well.

ANUJ

We ate at Pizzeria Pub da Bruno in Ascoli and were self-catering mostly, as we had kitchen facilities at our Ascoli B&B.
We drove to Ascoli from Macerata along an inland route that included San Ginesio, Sarnano and Amandola, sadly we had little time left/ struggled to get to the Infernaccio gorge but just drove some of the unpaved road from Montefortino. On another day, we visited Offida, Ripatransone and Grottamare, before heading back to Ascoli for our wine tasting at Velenosi (a great experience). There's no dearth of charming towns in the area! The site Marche Voyager - Index of Places in Site also has some useful ideas.

ANUJ

Some flowering, not in full bloom yet, here are some of my pics from Castellucccio. The road from Aquata Del Tronto to Castelluccio via Pretare was open, and seems to be at all times. The road from Castelluccio to Norcia (the SP477) was only open between 12-1pm.

yorkshire

We're going to try for Infernaccio if the weather is good, so maybe we will try to swing by there as well. Thanks for the update!

indyhiker

Thanks for the info and photos, ANUJ. The Piano Grande is indeed grand. The first view we had of it (on the road from Norcia to Castelluccio) in 2015 took my breath away. We had blue skies that day; the fog you encountered is very atmospheric!

indyhiker

Interesting time. A old classmate of my husband's posted on FB today about a motorcycle tour he's on through Tuscany and Umbria. He indicated that the road to Castelluccio (from Norcia I presume) is open three times a day: morning, noon and evening.

Leely2

Wow, so Castelluccio still exists in some form. Amazing and hopeful.

Thank you so much for your check-in and your photos. I drove from Umbria to Le Marche two summers ago (before the earthquake). I would love to return.

indyhiker

They reported that Castelluccio was basically rubble. I don’t know that there’s any intention to rebuild it.

Leely2

Yes, that's what I had thought too, but apparently there are some plans--plans for plans?--perhaps pipe dreams, who knows.

Sisma, concluse perimetrazioni 11 borghi - Umbria - ANSA.it

Cucinelli, vorrei una casa Castelluccio - Umbria - ANSA.it

https://www.valnerinaoggi.it/castell...ruzione-11475/

bvlenci

I'm delighted that you enjoyed your time in Le Marche, the beautiful region where I live. San Leo was until recently in Le Marche, but, alas! they were one of the towns that recently voted to secede from Le Marche and become part of the province of Rimini, in Emilia Romagna. It's a very beautiful town, with a large fortress castle on a high cliff, that dominates the surrounding area. There's a fantastic view of the castle on the approach from one of the roads; I don't remember which road.

When I've been to the Gola dell'Infernaccio, there was a paved road that led into the gorge. At a certain point, you couldn't drive further and had to leave your car and walk the rest of the way, which wasn't very far. I haven't been there since the latest earthquakes; maybe the main road is closed for now.

There is a plan to restructure Castelluccio. What I've read speaks almost exclusively of the shops and restaurants that will accommodate visitors during the Fiorita. The plan foresaw the shops and restaurants being open in time for this years Fiorita, but since ANUJ doesn't mention a beehive of construction, I have a feeling that's not going to happen for this year.

ANUJ

There is definitely work going on in Castelluccio - I saw a number of workers and construction equipment, much of the town is of course demarcated as a red zone i.e. not accessible, so couldn't get anywhere close enough to assess extent of progress.

moniquash

Loved reading through this forum ANUJ and others - so helpful in guiding my planning! I will be in Umbria/Le Marche region in 3 weeks and unfortunately for only about 3 days (including driving to/from the region). Any recommendations on which city to use as a base - Spello or Amandola? I'd like to see the mountainous/hiking side of this region, and wasn't sure if Spello would offer that view/experience. I would probably just drive to the Amandola side of Mt Sibillini anyway to do some hikes, but wanted to ask for input.

For larger reference of travel times...I'd be driving from Florence to Spello/Amandola, then down to Rome.

Thank you all!

giorgiawilliams

Beautiful places and excellent wine. I had a trip there last summer!

bvlenci

There are no mountains near Spello, if that helps your decision. Spello is a very attractive town, though.

zebec

Our Castelluccio landlord, Giuseppe, has a daughter who is now completing her Masters degree. She recently sent us a questionnaire about our stay in the area. The statistics that she will gather from former visitors would presumably be part of her final report. One hopes that her work will help to pressure the government to go through with any promised restorations.
I am done. The end.

bvlenci

Never underestimate the inertia of Italian bureaucracy. Anyway, the money probably has all been spent already, mostly on salaries, consultants, roundtables, and printing costs.There are still unfinished reconstruction projects from the eathquakes in that area in 1997/1998. The beautiful city of L'Aquila had its historic center mostly destroyed in 2006 and is now a ghost town. I fear the same fate awaits Camerino, a Renaissance jewel with one of Europe's oldest universities.