Pian Grande
15 km² of karst plateau. The greatest density of cultivated flowering. Average altitude 1,300–1,450 m. The heart of the season.
Pian Perduto
To the north, in Marche territory (municipality of Castelsantangelo sul Nera). Late flowerings until the end of July. Quieter.
Pian Piccolo
To the east, at the foot of Monte Vettore. Late-flowering lentil. Access on foot only.
Monte Vettore · 2,476 m
The highest peak of the Monti Sibillini. It towers over the Pian Grande from the eastern side. Trails towards Lago di Pilato.
The three plains
Pian Grande (Castelluccio di Norcia, Umbria)
The main plateau. An elliptical shape oriented NW-SE, roughly 8 km long by 3 km wide, covering 15 km². It is a karst basin of glacial origin, formed between the Pleistocene and the Holocene by the build-up of sediment on a dried-up lake bed. Average altitude 1,300–1,450 m a.s.l.
It is the plain most heavily cultivated with lentils, and therefore the one where the flowering reaches its greatest spread of colour. The plain is crossed by a network of gravel tracks and by one paved axis (the SP477) that cuts through it from north to south.
Pian Perduto (Castelsantangelo sul Nera, Marche)
A smaller plateau north of the Pian Grande, already in Marche territory. Slightly higher average altitude (1,400–1,500 m), with flowerings about 7–10 days later than the Pian Grande. Smaller (about 5 km²) and less cultivated.
It is the area we recommend for anyone who wants to experience the flowering in peace, away from the crowds: on peak weekends the Pian Grande takes 80% of the visitors, while the Pian Perduto stays half-empty.
Pian Piccolo (Vettore side)
The smallest of the three plateaus, at the foot of the western slope of Monte Vettore. Altitude around 1,500 m, area under 1 km². Reachable on foot only via CAI trails, starting from Forca di Presta or from the village of Castelluccio.
Late-flowering lentil: the fields here peak in early July, a week after the Pian Grande. Frequented by hikers and photographers who want to avoid the cars.
The village of Castelluccio
The historic village sits on a rocky spur at the NW edge of the Pian Grande, at 1,452 m of altitude. Exact coordinates: 42°49′57″N 13°11′26″E. Its seemingly isolated position was strategic: it commanded the three plains with a 360° view and lay on the route between Umbria and Marche.
90% destroyed by the earthquake of 30 October 2016, it is now being rebuilt. Three households live in the village permanently in 2026, with two young residents having returned. The homes are in temporary modules or under restoration. A few direct-sale lentil businesses are up and running.
The four access routes
There are four roads into the Pian Grande:
SP477 from Norcia (Umbria)
Provincial road that climbs from Norcia, crosses Forca Cervara (1,246 m), enters the Pian Grande from the western side and reaches the village. Distance: 28 km, about 40 min. The most popular route. Car park: Monti del Sole.
SP477 from the Marche side (Forca di Presta)
The same SP477 but from the opposite side: you come from the SS4 Salaria, via Arquata del Tronto (AP), climbing to Forca di Presta (1,534 m). Distance from Ascoli Piceno: 35 km, about 50 min. Car park: Forca di Presta.
SS4 + SP129 from Forca Canapine
For those coming from the south (Rome, Rieti): the SS4 Salaria to Norcia, then the SP129 up to Forca Canapine (1,541 m). Distance from Rome: 175 km, about 2h45'. Car park: Forca Canapine.
From Visso (Marche) via Pian Perduto
For those coming from central Marche (Macerata, Camerino, Visso): a provincial road from Visso crosses the Pian Perduto and drops down onto the Pian Grande from the north side. A scenic road, less busy, but longer.
Distances as the crow flies
- Castelluccio village ↔ Monte Vettore (summit): 4.5 km
- Castelluccio village ↔ Lago di Pilato: 5.2 km
- Castelluccio village ↔ Norcia: 22 km
- Castelluccio village ↔ Forca di Presta: 5 km
- Castelluccio village ↔ Visso: 16 km