Located in the Apennine Mountains, Fiastra is a small town famed for its impressive reservoir. It serves as a base for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking in Monti Sibillini National Park, which encompasses spectacular valleys, charming villages and peaks rising to more than 2,000 metres in height.
Things to do in Fiastra
Fiastra is home to the largest hydroelectric reservoir in the Marche region, the Lago di Fiastra, which is surrounded by the rolling hills of Monti Sibillini National Park. It’s an idyllic destination for swimming in the summer months, with the main beach of San Lorenzo al Lago patrolled by lifeguards. Canoes and pedal boats are available for rent or you can explore the lake along one of the hiking trails.
One of the most popular hiking routes leads to the Lame Rosse, a series of eroded pinnacles that are considered geological wonders. The trail traverses a forest of holm oaks and offers glimpses of the lake before the red-hued rocks come into view. Also nearby is the Grotta dei Frati, which takes its name from the Benedictine and Franciscan monks who once resided here.
On the northern edge of Fiastra are the remains of the Castello Magalotti, which was established in the 11th century. It was originally ringed by a fortified wall that included the Benedictine Church of San Paolo. From the ruins, there are magnificent views across the Lago di Fiastra and its sandy shores.
Getting around Fiastra
Fiastra is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Perugia and one hour from San Francesco d'Assisi Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Ancona International Airport is 1.5 hours away. Regular buses connect to Fiastra and the town is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the region.