frasassi mtb tour

Itinerari Mountain Bike

Periodo migliore: tutto l’anno tranne i giorni di vento/pioggia per caduta massi nelle gole Difficoltà: facile (non richiede specifiche capacità tecniche) Tipo percorso: asfalto, tranne la parte finale che è rovinata da buche e breccia della cava Traccia GPS: SI Quota di partenza: 254 metri s.l.m. Quota massima raggiunta: 254 metri s.l.m. Dislivello totale: 71 metri s.l.m. Cartografia usata: Selca Firenze – Carta escursionistica del parco naturale della Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi Consigli: da evitare durante la settimana per circolazione mezzi pesanti. In inverno usare un abbigliamento adeguato. > Premessa: per noi biker in MTB l’asfalto è un nemico (o almeno per me lo è… lo lascio a chi usa le ruotine sottili!) però mi è capitato di fare questa escursione e, anche se tutta su asfalto, vale più di mille strade sterrate per la bellezza della natura che ci circonda attraversando ben 2 parchi in un colpo solo: il parco della Gola di Frasassi e quello della Gola della Rossa. Quindi, per una volta, un giretto facile facile per rilassarsi e tenere l’allenamento! Partiamo dal parcheggio e, traversando tutto il piazzale, imbocchiamo la strada in asfalto seguendo l’indicazione di Vallemania – Rosenga. Proseguiamo costeggiando tutta la piccola piana del fiume Sentino. Ignorare i vari bivii che incontriamo e, arrivati alla fine della strada, svoltiamo a sinistra in direzione Grotte di Frasassi. Oltrepassando il centro abitato di Pianello e lo stabilimento Ariston, inizia il suggestivo percorso all’interno della Gola di Frasassi. Attraversata la parte centrale e più suggestiva della gola, oltrepassiamo l’imponente ingresso delle grotte (che troviamo alla nostra destra) e, in prossimità dell’abitato di San Vittore, svoltiamo a sinistra; è il primo bivio che incontriamo subito finita la gola. Scendiamo in leggera discesa e passiamo davanti all’eremo di San Vittore alle Chiuse proseguendo per la strada asfaltata che, per un breve tratto, è lastricata con una pavimentazione molto scivolosa nelle giornate umide e/o piovose. Dopo 600 metri circa giungiamo alla vecchia centrale idroelettrica delle Cartiere Miliani (sulla sinistra), oltrepassiamo il passaggio a livello ed il ponte sul fiume Esino. Dopo la curva a gomito subito oltrepassato il ponte, NON dobbiamo imboccare la ciclabile sterrata che ho segnalato in altri itinerari (la tentazione c’è!), ma proseguire in salita fino all’incrocio nel paesino di Gattuccio. > Nota: per chi non può far a meno della polvere: se imboccate la pista ciclabile sterrata, percorretela tutta e quando trovate nuovamente l’asfalto svoltate a destra e poi all’incrocio a sinistra trovandovi così al semaforo di Camponocecchio – vedi in seguito). Allo stop prendiamo a sinistra in discesa e, ignorando gli altri incroci, continuiamo fino all’abitato di Camponocecchio riconoscibile da un tratto di strada rettilineo e dal semaforo che controlla il senso unico alternato all’interno del paesello. Attraversiamo Camponocecchio e, all’incrocio con la S.S. 76 della Val d’Esino (SENZA IMBOCCARLA!) prendiamo in direzione dei paesini di Falcioni e Pontechiaradovo. La strada ora sale e attraversa tutto il centro abitato di Falcioni poi inizia la discesa che, dopo circa 200 metri circa, tutti in discesa, attraversa la frazione Pontechiaradovo. A questo punto ci troviamo davanti un altro passaggio a livello ed inizia qui a mostrarsi la maestosità della Gola della Rossa che si apre alla nostra destra. Oltrepassato il passaggio a livello ed il ponte sul fiume Esino ci troviamo di fronte una piccola cappellina (da vedere perché molto carina!) svoltiamo a sinistra inoltrandoci così all’interno della gola percorrendo la vecchia strada statale ormai dismessa ma ancora in buone condizioni. Proseguendo si incontra sulla destra un bivio con una sterrata che conduce ad una cava ed alle rovine del convento S. Maria (indicato dalla palina segnavia in legno). Questa sterrata è cieca, la si può percorrere per poi però tornare indietro. Evitando di svoltare per la sterrata (a meno che non si vogliano vedere le rovine del convento) continuiamo ad addentrarci all’interno della Gola della Rossa e dell’omonimo parco. La strada ora si biforca, a destra è cieca e bisogna imboccare la leggera salita sulla sinistra che, tramite un sovrapasso, scavalca la S.S. 76. Proseguiamo tra i due costoni di roccia, sempre sulla strada asfaltata, evitando (ve lo sconsiglio) di svoltare per la sterrata che trovate sulla sinistra dove è indicata, con la palina segnavia del CAI, l’indicazione Grotta del Vermino. Tale sentiero, l’ho percorso più volte a piedi durante delle escursioni e ha tratti molto pericolosi (per altro segnalati!) e risulta impossibile anche per gli amanti del freeride più estremo! Continuiamo quindi ad addentrarci nella gola ed un cartello di divieto di accesso ci segnala che è possibile accedere alla gola solo in bici, a piedi o a cavallo. > ATTENZIONE: come anche il cartello dice evitate di entrare nella gola se c’è vento o pioggia perché il pericolo di caduta di qualche sasso è elevato e, non essendoci barriere di protezione né guard-rail lo strapiombo con il fiume che scorre impetuoso tra le rocce non è proprio gradevole! Basta, però, alzare lo sguardo per rimanere senza fiato davanti a due pareti di roccia, a picco, alte oltre 500 metri che continuiamo senza timori!!! > Nota: da qui in poi il GPS perde il segnale SAT ma niente paura… c’è solo una strada per andare e da ripercorrere per tornare! Traversiamo tutta la gola prestando attenzione ai camion di una cava presente sulla parete rocciosa alla nostra destra (deturpata dall’uomo!) e proseguiamo fino al parcheggio (che troviamo sulla sinistra) degli operatori della cava stessa. A questo punto c’è una breve discesa che ci permette di traversare, nuovamente, con un sottopasso, la S.S. 76 e salendo ci troviamo a costeggiare la parete rocciosa proprio sopra i nostri caschi! Siamo alla fine della gola e arrivati alla sede della cava; alla nostra sinistra possiamo vedere la superstrada S.S. 76 attraverso le aperture di un tunnel semi-aperto. Possiamo quindi fermarci ed ammirare il panorama alle nostre spalle ed alla nostra destra che vede una vallata molto stretta e lussureggiante di vegetazione. Giriamo le ruote, riprendiamo fiato, bevutina e facciamo il percorso inverso anche perché, a meno che non abbiamo un motore al posto delle gambe, non ci son altre strade per tornare al punto di partenza a patto di non voler fare un valico che conduce alla frazione di Castelletta. Quando la mia condizione fisica me lo permetterà ci proverò e non mancherò di segnalarvi l’itinerario! Chi vuole, può ridurre o personalizzare l’itinerario lasciando l’auto in altri punti del percorso. Se avete dubbi o volete informazioni potete tranquillamente scrivermi un MP o contattarmi per e-mail. La cartografia usata è disponibile presso negozi della zona e, se lo richiedete, posso fornirvi i nominativi per acquistarla preventivamente. Note d'uso traccia GPS LE TRACCE GPS NON SOSTITUISCONO IN ALCUN MODO L'USO DI UNA CARTA TOPOGRAFICA DELLA ZONA. L'uso della traccia GPS non toglie l'obbligo di andare in escursione con la massima prudenza e le attenzioni che questo tipo di attività necessità. E' solo un ausilio per la localizzazione dell'itinerario e per la navigazione. Il sottoscritto declina ogni tipo di responsabilità per un uso errato ed imprudente di questo file-traccia GPS. Pur avendo messo la massima cura nel realizzarla e/o elaborarla, l'uso di questo file è a rischio e pericolo di chi lo usa. Errori, così come cambiamenti nel terreno o problemi di ricezione gps sono possibili.

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FRASASSI MTB TOUR AT FREEDOM: LE INFO SULLE 6 TAPPE

Data: 24 Ottobre 2015 By Marco Oggioni Categories: generali NOTIZIE MOUNTAIN BIKE Tag: mountain bike tra Marche ed Umbria , Parco del Monte Cucco , Parco Regionale Naturale della Gola della Rossa e Frasassi Non ci sono commenti

La prima tappa del Frasassi MTB Tour prende il via dall’Abbazia di San Vittore alle Chiuse, a poche centinaia di metri dall’ingresso delle famose Grotte di Frasassi e giunge a Matelica, graziosa cittadina famosa per il suo rinomato Verdicchio. Il percorso, di grande interesse naturalistico e panoramico, sale rapidamente di quota e percorre un lungo tratto della dorsale marchigiana, passando poco sotto la vetta del Monte San Vicino, per poi ridiscendere nella vallata di Matelica.

Punti di interesse

Le Grotte di Frasassi, l’Abbazia romanica di San Vittore alle Chiuse, il borgo medioevale di Castelletta (deviazione km 2 totali), il Monte San Vicino e la sua Riserva Regionale, l’Abbazia di San Salvatore in Valdicastro (deviazione, km 4,6 totali), il borgo di Braccano con i suoi murales, la città di Matelica.

Dati tecnici

Lunghezza: 41,8 km

Punto più alto: 1184 mt s.l.m.

Punto più basso: 186 mt s.l.m.

Dislivello in salita: 1850 mt

Dislivello in discesa: 1710 mt

Matelica - Campodonico

La seconda tappa del Frasassi MTB Tou r prende il via da Matelica, graziosa cittadina famosa per il suo rinomato Verdicchio, e giunge a Campodonico, piccolo borgo sulla dorsale umbro-marchigiana. Il percorso, di grande interesse naturalistico e panoramico, dopo i primi 7 km sale abbastanza rapidamente di quota e percorre un tratto di circa 15 km attorno ai 1000 mt. Suggestiva la vicenda della morte dell’Imperatore Ottone III e del suo tesoro sepolti nella torre di Salmaregia.

La città di Matelica, il borgo di Esanatoglia, l’Eremo di San Cataldo arroccato su un picco roccioso, il Monte Giuoco del Pallone così chiamato per la sua sommità piatta, l’altopiano di Pian di Pisello, la Rocca dei Tangani e la sua Romitella, i borghi di Campottone, Salmaregia, e Campodonico (i cui toponimi sono legati alla vicenda dell’imperatore Ottone III), la millenaria Abbazia romanica di San Biagio in Caprile.

Lunghezza: 36,4 km

Punto più alto: 1051 mt s.l.m

Punto più basso: 336 mt s.l.m

Dislivello in salita: 1620 mt

Dislivello in discesa: 1410 mt

Campodonico - S.Cassiano

La terza tappa del Frasassi MTB Tour collega due Abbazie romaniche millenarie (San Biagio in Caprile e San Cassiano) lungo un’antica via romana e medioevale, dalla quale però si devia per un breve tratto per salire rapidamente di quota sui fianchi del Monte Purillo e del Monte Puro, godendo di un meraviglioso panorama. Da qui si ridiscenderà attraversando i borghi di Serradica e Cacciano lungo una stretta vallata che sfocia a Cancelli, antico crocevia romano.

Il borgo di Campodonico con la sua Abbazia romanica di San Biagio in Caprile, i borghi di Belvedere e Serradica, quello di Cacciano recentemente abbellito da artisti vari con splendidi murales, il borgo di Cancelli, l’Abbazia di San Cassiano.

Lunghezza: 25,8 km

Punto più alto: 923 mt s.l.m

Punto più basso: 414 mt s.l.m.

Dislivello in salita: 1018 mt

Dislivello in discesa: 1100 mt

S.Cassiano - Isola Fossara

La quarta tappa del Frasassi MTB Tour regala panorami stupendi. Dominata dal possente Monte Cucco è caratterizzata da una gratificante salita fino al Pian di Porci, che ci fa vivere una sensazione fortemente aerea, scoprendo panorami sempre più ampi. Graziosa e rilassante, l’incastonata faggeta di Val di Ranco. La templare abbazia di Sant’Emiliano e la Valle delle Prigioni regalano momenti di grande spiritualità. Il borgo medioevale di Pascelupo e la vista sul M.Catria sono la cartolina finale.

L’Abbazia di San Cassiano, la località turistica di Val di Ranco, il paesaggio del Monte Cucco, l’ambiente naturale del Monte Le Siere, l’abbazia templare di Sant’Emiliano in Congiuntoli, la Valle delle Prigioni (breve escursione a piedi da Pascelupo), così chiamata per il gran numero di eremiti che l’avevano scelta come luogo di ritiro, l’Eremo di San Girolamo di Monte Cucco, costruito su un quasi irraggiungibile sperone di roccia (deviazione di 2 km tot), il borgo medioevale di Pascelupo, perfettamente restaurato dopo il terremoto del 1997, la vista sul versante sud est del Monte Catria, con la famosa balza dell’Aquila.

Lunghezza: 43,5 km

Punto più alto: 1140 mt s.l.m

Dislivello in discesa: 1810 mt

Isola Fossara - Valdolmo

La quinta tappa del Frasassi MTB Tour ci porta a confrontarci con il massiccio del Monte Catria, una magnifica montagna nella quale, incastonato e stretto tra i fianchi del monte, sorge il famosissimo Eremo di Fonte Avellana, dove fu ospite Dante Alighieri che ne canta nel suo Paradiso. Un tappa di grande impegno fisico e grande immersione nella natura, che offre panorami eccelsi e percorsi gratificanti.

Il Monte Catria, con il suo Corno, e le pareti rocciosi della Balza dell’Aquila; l’Eremo camaldolese di Fonte Avellana, l’Abbazia romanica di Sitria (comoda deviazione totale 2,2 km), i panorami infiniti sulla dorsale umbro-marchigiana, dal Montefeltro ai Sibillini, il borgo di Montelago. I bikers più in forma potranno fare due deviazioni impegnative per raggiungere la vetta del Catria (+ 400 mt di dislivello in salita) e quella dello Strega (+ 280 mt di dislivello in salita).

Lunghezza: 43,9 km

Punto più alto: 1370 mt s.l.m

Punto più basso: 420 mt s.l.m

Dislivello in salita: 2135 mt

Dislivello in discesa: 2100 mt

Valdolmo - San Vittore

La sesta tappa del Frasassi MTB Tour , nel Parco Regionale della Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi, è un incredibile mix di bellezze naturali e storico-artistiche. La ricchezza di emergenze artistiche infatti sorprende e stupisce, e si comprende come su questi sentieri sia passata tanta storia e umanità. Le aquile, i nibbi ed i falchi sono i re di queste gole e montagne incontaminate e li si vede in volo con facilità. Un percorso gratificante, con splendidi single tracks.

Sassoferrato, bella cittadina medioevale dominata da una possente Rocca, la città romana di Sentinum, teatro della Battaglia delle Nazioni, la misteriosa Abbazia di santa Croce, il delizioso borgo fortificato di Genga, il Sentiero dell’Aquila, i borghi di Pierosara e San Vittore alle Chiuse, l’Abbazia di San Vittore, il Museo Paleontologico. Si suggerisce di visitare le famosissime Grotte di Frasassi, e di fare una breve escursione a piedi alla grotta ove sorgono l’eremo di Santa Maria Infrasaxa ed il Tempietto di Valadier.

Lunghezza: 31,7 km

Punto più alto: 600 mt s.l.m

Punto più basso: 179 mt s.l.m

Dislivello in salita: 1200 mt

Dislivello in discesa: 1450 mt

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Adventures in Destinations Unknown

Guide to the Frasassi Caves in Italy

Last modified on July 3rd, 2023 at 20:34

Deep under the hills of Italy’s Marche region, you’ll find a subterranean world of delicate calcareous sculptures and fairytale spires.

This ethereal wonderland—known as the Frasassi Caves (or Grotte di Frasassi in Italian)—is one of Europe’s largest cave systems and a highlight of travel to Central Italy.

The Frasassi Caves are rich in whimsical formations. Gouged out by the Sentino River over the course of 150 million years, their sculpted chambers rival the most intricate on Earth.

Table of Contents

THE GROTTE DI FRASASSI

The Grotte di Frasassi are located in the Marche Region of Italy, merely 15 minutes from my mom’s hometown of Fabriano.

The caves are an underrated hidden gem. And I’m not saying that because they are in the backyard of the area I played in every summer as a child.

The stalagmite-filled caves are truly incredible. Some of the best I’ve seen in all of my travels (they’re right up there with the Jeita Grotto in Lebanon ).

The caves are the defining feature of the Gola di Frasassi—a steep gorge cut by the river.

The karst cave system includes the Cave of the River and the Big Cave of the Wind. Its full name in Italian is Grotta del Fiume– Grotta Grande del Vento di Frasassi .

Commonly, you’ll hear it referred to simply as Frasassi, or Le Grotte .

GEOLOGICAL HISTORY

The Frasassi Caves began forming millions of years ago, thanks to a mix of rainwater and erosion from the sulfurous Sentino River.

Rainwater trickled and seeped through tiny fractures in the limestone hills, gradually widening them. Where the water encountered horizontal fractures, it formed underground streams and excavated long tunnels with connecting caverns.

The mineral-rich waters dissolved the limestone and chiseled subterranean chambers over time.

The karst mountainsides surrounding the Frassassi Gorge conceal an abundance of caves and cavities.

While some of them have been known to the local population for centuries, the massive Frasassi Caves complex is a somewhat recent discovery.

DISCOVERY OF THE FRASASSI CAVES

Frasassi’s subterranean world first opened to the public in 1974, shortly after a group of Italian speleologists from Ancona discovered the caverns on accident.

One day, Maurizio Bolognini was hiking around Monte Frasassi, when he noticed an unusual hole in the mountain.

On a following visit, he and fellow mountaineers were able to dig a tunnel large enough to pass through the hole. Then, using a homemade rope ladder, they descended into the karst abyss.

FRASASSI CAVES TOUR ROUTE

The Frasassi Caves tourist route follows a 1.5 km path through Italy’s subterranean wonderland.

The tour begins in the cavernous Ancona Abyss—the largest cave in Europe. The abyss is so vast that it could easily house the entire Duomo of Milan . This is the place where Bolognini first descended by rope ladder, laying eyes on the 65ft tall stalagmites known as the Giants.

Walking through the Grotte’s dimly-lit underworld is like entering a fantasyland. The intricately-adorned chambers are brimming with calcareous formations. Stalagmites rise from the cave floor like melted candles, while stalactites hang from its ceiling like Spanish moss.

As you progress, you will visit several chambers within the cave system.

Each of these rooms boasts mineral masterpieces.

Noteworthy formations include Niagara Falls—a huge mass made of pure white calcite—and sculptures that resemble castles, bears, organ pipes, camels, and witches.

Toward the end of the tour, you’ll stop by the Hall of Candles—a visually stunning room that features small candle-like stalagmites reflected on glassy pools of water.

FRASASSI CAVES TOURS AND TICKETS

English-language tours of the Frasassi Caves depart at 11:40AM, 1:40PM and 3:40PM daily from mid-May to June. In July and August, there is an additional 5:15PM departure.

During the low season, tours are only in Italian, though English-language audioguides remain available.

The cost of visiting the Frasassi Caves is 18 euros per person.

Until recently, the Grotte di Frasassi didn’t allow personal photography.

As of my last visit, however, the policy seems to have changed.

SPELUNKING IN THE FRASASSI CAVES

Most people visit the Frasassi Caves as part of a standard guided tour.

But if you have an adventurous spirit, you can also choose from two spelunking excursions.

• SPELEO-ADVENTURE BLUE PATH: Aimed at people who are looking to get their feet wet with speleology, the blue path tour is of easy/medium difficulty. The two hour tour includes climbing, drifts, narrow passages and slides.
• SPELEO-ADVENTURE RED PATH:  The red path caters to adventure-seekers who have some prior spelunking experience. The tour is three hours long and considered moderately difficult. It includes a rope climb.

Spelunking tours of the Frasassi Caves must be booked in advance. I imagine you’d want to avoid these excursions if you are claustrophobic or uneasy in tight spaces.

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN THE GOLA DELLA ROSSA

Frasassi lies along a beautiful river gorge. It is the centerpiece of the Gola della Rossa Regional Park—a wilderness area that boasts hiking trails, hot springs, historic temples, and picturesque towns.

If you’re a lover of off-the-beaten-path travel, you’ll find plenty of additional things to do in the area.

TEMPLE OF VALADIER

The Temple of Valadier, commissioned by Pope Leo XII of Genga, was built in 1828. It lies inside a natural cavern in the Gola della Rossa Park, at the end of a 700 meter paved pathway.

The octagonal domed church was entirely built in travertine blocks. Its angular neo-classical silhouette stands in stark contrast to the cavern’s rough walls.

The chapel once housed a marble statue of the Madonna and child, produced by the studio of Antonio Canova.

Today, however, it has been replaced by a replica. Its original can be found in a museum in nearby Genga.

Next to the Valadier Temple is also the Hermitage of Santa Maria Infra Saxa. The small monastery dates back to 1029.

SAN VITTORE TOWN

San Vittore is the closest town to the Frasassi Caves. It straddles the Sentino River, a few miles from the entrance to the natural monument.

The picturesque small town boasts a Roman bridge and a historic abbey. The abbey—San Vittore alle Chiuse—dates back to the 12th century and contains a mix of the Byzantine and Armenian styles.

In the town you’ll also find a small adventure park with suspended rope bridges and zip lines.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR THE FRASASSI CAVES

The accommodation options near Frasassi are a mix of hotels, agriturismos, and B&Bs. If you’re looking to stay within a few miles of the cave’s entrance, the Hotel le Grotte , the Hotel Terme di Frasassi and B&B Bivacco Frasassi are probably your best bets.

A little bit farther away, you’ll find a wider array of accommodation options.

If you’re looking for a tranquil countryside escape, the Agriturismo Valdifiore offers a rustic retreat with views of the surrounding mountains.

On a hill above Fabriano, La Castellaia boasts a resort-like setting, a swimming pool, and beautiful panoramas of the Apennines.

If it is your first time traveling to Italy, your itinerary probably consist of stops in Florence, Venice , and Rome. You might even include side trips to the Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast .

After all, most Italy travel itineraries (understandably) focus on the same well-trodden tourist routes.

But just a stone’s throw from the romantic hills of Tuscany, lies a beautiful corner of the country that is little-known outside of Italy.

I’ve been fortunate to visit the Marche year after year throughout my life.

And I want to share it with you, too.

Because I promise that if you travel to this beautiful corner of the world, you’ll be rewarded with some of Italy’s most underrated gems—both above-ground and concealed below the surface of its rolling green mountainsides.

Italy’s Stunning Frasassi Caves – A Must-See Wonder of Nature

By Author Rossi Thomson

Posted on Last updated: 4th September 2022

Categories Day Trips in Italy , Marche

The Frasassi Caves are a must-see sight in Italy for their beauty and impressive subterranean chambers.

Easy to reach by train and car and less than three hours away from rome and florence, you will find this karst cave system in the central italian region of the marche ..

The Frasassi Caves are rich in whimsical formations and are dotted with tiny crystal clear lakes. Their entrance is in the Gola di Frasassi – a steep gorge cut by the river Sentino. The gorge is part of the Gola della Rossa and Frasassi Regional Nature Park. 

The karst cave system stretches through the base of the Monte Valmontagnana. It includes the Cave of the River and the Big Cave of the Wind and its full name in Italian is Grotta del Fiume – Grotta Grande del Vento di Frasassi . It’s commonly known as the Frasassi Caves.

The Frasassi Caves are open for guided visits which are held regularly throughout the day. With an expert guide at the helm, visitors are taken deep into the earth’s bosom through several subterranean chambers of the Big Cave of the Wind. This was discovered by chance in 1971 and its first chamber – the Ancona Abyss – is so cavernous that, they say, the Duomo of Milan could fit comfortably in it.

Entering the Frasassi Caves is like finding yourself in a dream world. Enormous stalactites, stalagmites, and stalagnates have built wondrous creations to which the explorers of the caves have given suitably imaginative names. Here you have the Sword of Damocles, the Small Niagara Falls (pictured below), the Witches’ Castle, and also the Pancetta Slice and the Lard Slice. The last two are thin and almost translucent stalagmites respectively in a pale pink and a pure white colour. 

Visiting the Frasassi Caves is a great experience. The tourist itinerary follows an easy to navigate path that is about a kilometre and a half long and has a few steps. There are also two options for the adventurous at heart to explore the caves even deeper led by a skilled spelunking guide. In addition, the area around the Frasassi Caves is rich in curious sights and things to do.

So, if you are looking for a new and exciting destination in Italy to discover and explore for yourself, a place where you can marvel at natural wonders both under- and overground, look no further than the Frasassi Caves.

In this blog post today, I will give you exhaustive details to help you plan your visit to this unique place. You can see it on a day trip to remember or you can choose to spend longer in the area, it’s completely up to you. From an overview of the history of the Frassasi Caves to how to visit them and how to prepare for your time inside the chambers, from transport options to reach the caves to other places of interest in the adjacent area, everything is covered herewith.

Italy’s Stunning Frasassi Caves – A Must-See Wonder of Nature

Why Visit the Frasassi Caves, Italy

The underground karst system of Italy’s Frasassi Caves extends for 30 km on eight geological levels. It is one of the largest and most fascinating subterranean routes in Italy and Europe. Guided visits, held daily at regular intervals, introduce tourists and adventurers to the wonders of the underground world.

Visiting the Frasassi Caves will also give you a chance to see for yourself a beautiful corner of the Marche – Italy’s most underrated region. Lush, crossed by dramatic gorges, and dotted with over one hundred other caves and rock cavities, it offers countless opportunities to hike, rock climb, and get close to nature in many different ways.

The area around the Frasassi Caves has been inhabited since prehistoric times. A number of important and curious artefacts have been discovered here relating to magical-religious rituals and funerary rites held by prehistoric and protohistoric communities inside the local caves. The most significant finding is the Frasassi Venus – a small figure carved out of a stalactite and representing a woman with emphasised fertility traits. It is between 20,000 and 28,000 years old.

Small local museums offer a first-row view of the various layers of history that make this part of Italy so interesting to visit. Centuries-old walled villages and churches conserve traditions that stretch back to the Middle Ages. A famous spa centre offers treatments at the place where the Ancient Romans took baths in the local sulphur-rich waters.

All in all, travelling to the Frasassi Caves is a great excuse to escape the large cities and the tourist magnets and to discover for yourself the real, authentic Italy.

Very Abridged History of the Frasassi Caves, Italy

The formation of the Frasassi Caves started millions of years ago when sulphurous waters coming from the depths of the earth penetrated into the limestone rocks of what nowadays is the Gola di Frasassi (known in English as the Frasassi Gorge). There, they mixed with the cold bicarbonate waters of the River Sentino flowing into the rocks from above through cracks and faults. The waters – rich in minerals – dissolved the limestone and created the large subterranean voids over a period that lasted many thousands of years.

The area of the Frasassi Gorge is rich in caves and cavities. While some of them have been known to the local population for centuries, the Cave of the River and the Big Cave of the Wind which comprise the Frasassi Caves complex are a somewhat more recent discovery.

The Cave of the River was discovered first in 1948 through a hole close to the bed of the River Sentino. In 1971, the Big Cave of the Wind was discovered by chance by a speleological group from Ancona – the capital of the Marche –  which is about 65 km away from the Frasassi Gorge. The subterranean connection between the two caves was discovered at the end of the same year.

Since then, the two caves came to be known collectively as the Frasassi Caves. Several studies and research projects have been performed there, especially in chronobiology to measure the biological rhythms of people who have spent periods of time without natural light. In the Cave of the River, explorers have found the 13,500 years old skull of a steinbock laid on a low stalagmite with flint and carbon pieces next to it. Researchers think that the skull could have been used in rituals by Paleolithic hunters. 

The flora of the Frasassi Caves has also been studied and documented. It’s been established that 67 animal species call the caves home. Among them are dozens of species of bats, the spectacled salamander and the newt. 

Due to its stunning environment and somewhat easier access, the Big Cave of the Wind was adapted for tourist visits. A path leading through several of the cave’s chambers was installed with the focus always being on not affecting negatively the cave and not damaging the formations that had taken hundreds of thousands of years to form.

Nowadays, the Frasassi Caves are one of the Marche’s must-see sights and one of Italy’s and Europe’s most beautiful show caves. Since their opening to the general public on 1st September 1974, the caves have been visited by over 12 million people. 

What to See in the Frasassi Caves, Italy

The Frasassi Caves are open to visitors who can choose to follow one of three itineraries inside the subterranean chambers of the Big Cave of the Wind:

• Ancona Abyss – 180 m long, 120 m wide, and 200 m tall, this immense chamber was the first part of the Big Cave of the Wind that was discovered in 1971 by a group of speleologists from Ancona.
• Hall of the 200 – a corridor that is 200 m long.
• Hall of the Small Candles – dotted with many small cylindrical stalagmites that look like candles.
• Hall of the She Bear – this is where you can see a formation that faintly resembles a bear. 
• Infinity Hall – with an irregular circular shape, the first explorers to study this chamber would often get lost trying to find the way out which made them walk in endless circles around the hall. 
• Speleo-Adventure Blue Itinerary – aimed at lovers of speleology and those adventurous at heart, this itinerary is two hours long and it’s of low/average difficulty. 
• Speleo-Adventure Red Itinerary – again aimed at lovers of speleology and those adventurous at heart, this itinerary is three hours long and it’s of average difficulty.  

The prices for the three itineraries differ and you can check the up-to-date price points at this official link . The equipment needed for the speleo-adventure blue and red itineraries is provided on-site and it is included in the cost of the ticket.

All tickets for the Frasassi Caves also include entry to the nearby Speleo-Paleontological and Archaeological Museum in the hamlet of San Vittore and the Museum of Art, History, and Territory in the village of Genga. Click here to learn more about them and the other exciting things you can do in the area.

How to Visit the Frasassi Caves, Italy

The Frasassi Caves are one of Italy’s most popular and most beautiful show caves. A show cave is a cave that can be accessed by tourists (usually as part of a guided visit) without any special equipment.

You will find the Frasassi Caves in the Central Italian region of the Marche. They are about 65 km away from the region’s capital – the city of Ancona. Distances to Italy’s capital Rome and other large Italian cities are as follows:

• Rome to the Frasassi Caves – about 233 km;
• Perugia to the Frasassi Caves – about 71 km;
• Rimini to the Frasassi Caves – about 141 km;
• Arezzo to the Frasassi Caves – about 149 km;
• Florence to the Frasassi Caves – about 219 km.

You can reach the Frasassi Caves easily both by train and car. This is how to do it:

• By train – get off at the Genga-San Vittore train station on the Rome-Ancona train line. Average travel times from Roma Termini are about three hours and from Ancona – under an hour. The train station is right next to the large car park of the Frasassi Caves’ ticket office. You can buy your train ticket online in advance on the official website – TrenItalia – of Italy’s train operator. To find out how to navigate Italy’s train system, please, refer to the tips and tricks for quick and cheap train travel in Italy at the end of this blog post .
• Car – the Frasassi Caves are on state road SS76 which (together with SS318) leads from Ancona to Perugia. Please, note that there is no parking right by the caves’ entrance. Instead, all personal vehicles must be parked at the large car park around the Frasassi Caves’ ticket office. 

Once you reach the Frasassi Caves’ ticket office, you need to buy a ticket. If you have already purchased your ticket online, then you need to present the printout confirming the online payment so that an actual ticket can be printed for you. Tickets are tied to a time slot and you need to be there on time so as not to miss it.

For specific opening times, time slots, and other useful info, please, check the official website of the Frasassi Caves here . You will notice that the number of time slots depends on the season and the day, so you will need to organise your visit accordingly. While visits are possible all throughout the week, still on particular days throughout the year the Frasassi Caves are closed. Make sure that you check the official link provided in this paragraph well in advance in order to avoid disappointment.

During the high season, the Frasassi Caves attract a large number of visitors, so plan accordingly in terms of parking and queueing. 

Once you have secured your ticket, a shuttle bus will then take you and all other visitors who have booked the same time slot to the actual entrance of the Frasassi Caves. It’s best to align for the shuttle bus about half an hour before the time slot of your visit. The distance from the car park to the caves’ entrance is about two km.

The guide will meet the group at the caves. You will then enter through the large metal doors, walk through a long concrete corridor, stop for a short talk about health and safety and then through another set of heavy doors, walk into the first chamber of the Frasassi Caves. The guided tour lasts about 75-90 minutes. The guide will take you through the subterranean chambers which are accessible to visitors and will introduce you to the story of the Frasassi Caves, how they were discovered, and what their geology is. The guide will also point the most beautiful and whimsical formations in the caves. 

On the way back to the car park from the Frasassi Caves, the shuttle bus stops at the small hamlet of San Vittore. This is where you can see a number of sights like the 11th-century Abbey of San Vittore delle Chiuse and the adjacent Speleo-Paleontological and Archaeological Museum to learn more about the Frasassi Caves and the adjacent area.

You can then easily walk back to the car park from San Vittore and, if you travel by train, to the train station. 

What Are Your Personal Impressions of Visiting the Frasassi Caves, Italy  

Visiting the Frasassi Caves in the Marche was one of the best travel experiences I had during my six years in Italy.

We travelled to the Marche by car on a four-day long road trip to remember. It was just at the end of winter when nature is starting to awaken yet the days feel sombre and the skies give you the impression that they are about to break into heavy rain at any minute. Perfect weather to escape underground and to marvel at the wonders of nature without fear that you are going to get wet.

As it was outside of the high season, the large parking lot around the ticket office of the Frasassi Caves seemed almost empty. Most of the small shops there that sell all sorts of trinkets and souvenirs were also closed. Yet, there were about forty people on the guided tour which showed how popular the caves are no matter the month and the weather.

The Frasassi Caves are very impressive. The first chamber that the guided tour starts from is the absolutely enormous Ancona Abyss. It feels like a Cathedral of Nature and it is so quiet inside it. It’s a very womb-like environment. I felt like inside a cocoon – safely enveloped and protected from the elements – but at the same time, as the space is so cavernous, it was not a claustrophobic sensation. It’s not surprising that prehistoric people sought refuge in caves. However, they didn’t have the luxury of a wide lit path that we enjoyed walking on during our tour of the Frasassi Caves.

The guide was very engaging and gave us lots of information about the caves – from their formation and discovery to the names of many of the curious stalactites, stalagmites, and stalagnates around us. I especially liked the Dante stalagmite. You can really see the profile of the great Italian poet shaped by nature.

An interesting fact that caught my attention was that for the naked human eye it’s difficult to judge the actual size of the cave formations as there is nothing else inside the cave against which to measure them. So, stalactites and stalagmites that didn’t look that big were in fact dozens of feet tall.

We followed the guide through the caves. The path built for tourist visits is very easy to walk on. There were a few steps along the way but nothing strenuous, really.  

The cave chambers were lined with thousands of really beautiful formations. We walked past several crystal clear lakes along the way. They were so beautiful. I felt that I could easily spend hours there just looking at them.

Whimsical shapes caught my eye at every step and turn. At one point, we walked on a long thin bridge with lakes on one side and a long drop on the other. In the dim light, I felt like we were in a charmed kingdom where fairytale creatures steal a peek at you and swiftly hide right before you spot them. 

My most favourite thing about the Frasassi Cave is actually something I was able to see only after my visit. While there, I took a photo of a stalagmite and when processing the photos for this blog post, I realised that somehow, in the dim light, I had managed to press the shutter of my camera just as a tiny droplet of water was hitting the surface of the stalagmite.

You can see the firework-like pattern that the droplet had produced. With stalagmites, stalactites, and stalagnates being built over many thousands of years by the minerals in such droplets of water, I was really excited to have captured a photo of one such droplet at work. It’s proof that the Frasassi Caves are an organism in constant development. Visiting the caves truly is seeing nature at work.  

Practical Tips About Visiting the Frasassi Caves

Here are some first-hand tried and tested practical tips to make your visit to the Frasassi Caves as enjoyable as possible. 

Dress appropriately – The temperature inside the Frasassi Caves is a constant 14 degrees Celsius irrespective of the weather outside. If you are visiting in summer, bring a warm piece of clothing in case you feel a bit cold during the visit.

Wear comfortable shoes – you will be walking on a flat path with some steps for about an hour and a half. The light is dim and there may be wet patches on the floor here and there. Wearing comfortable shoes will make your time inside the Frasassi Caves a much more pleasant and safe experience. 

Follow the guide’s instructions – The guides are there to show you the Frasassi Caves’ wonders but also to make sure that both the group and the cave remain safe during the visit. As such, please, follow strictly his or her instructions at all times.

Don’t touch – It is strictly forbidden to touch the formations inside the Frassasi Caves. It has taken nature an incredible amount of time to create the wonderful and whimsical stalactites, stalagmites, and stalagnates you see there. Interfering with them in any way may irreversibly damage them. Even a light touch may be really harmful to them as the oils in the human skin may make it impossible for the tiny drops of water which make the cave formation grow continue to cling or flow at their usual place and speed. This way, the growth of the formation will be forever changed or even stunted. Our hands also bring outside bacteria into the cave environment and dirt on fingers can stain or change the colour of cave formations.

Mind the dim light – The light inside the Frasassi Caves is dim with spotlights trained on some of the most beautiful formations. Your eyes will adjust quickly but you may need to mind your step during the guided visit.

Don’t eat and drink inside the caves – This is not allowed for the safety of the visitors and the caves themselves. There are food kiosks and restaurants within an easy reach from the ticket office’s parking lot. Also, plan toilet breaks accordingly before and/or after your visit to the Frasassi Caves.

Observe photo etiquette –  Double check with the guide that the taking of photos and/or videos is allowed. When I visited the Frasassi Caves, it was allowed but things change. If photos/videos are OK, then make sure you don’t disturb the whole group and the guide’s work when taking photos. In any case, tripods are not allowed. In addition, don’t stick your camera or your phone over the railings and, definitely, don’t lean over the railings yourself while trying to take a photo. The drop on the other side may be significant or your outstretched arm may collide with a cave formation thus forever damaging it.

Don’t lag behind the group trying to take photos without people in them. One of the guide’s tasks is to keep the group together for safety reasons. When you are taking a photo or a video inside the caves, make sure that your children are not left unsupervised in the meantime. Someone – another parent, partner or relative – needs to be with them at all times, making sure that they are safe and comfortable. 

Everyone in the group will want to take photos and videos (if allowed) inside the caves. The environment is beautiful and unusual and people get excited about capturing it all. Don’t push other people aside trying to get the best shots first. Don’t tut-tut when other people are taking their time at the exact spot you are angling for. Beware of steps and wet surfaces. Don’t walk with the camera in front of your face. Don’t ask people to move away so that you don’t have anyone in your photos’ backgrounds.

Remember that you all have paid an entrance fee and have the same right to enjoy the cave environment respectfully. Also, you are in a group of different nationalities in an underground space. Do you want the tempers to flare or to leave a bad impression?!

Here, I hasten to add that all photos you see here were taken by me with maximum respect and full observance of the above words.

What Else to do Near the Frasassi Caves, Italy

The area around the Frasassi Caves is at the crossroads of culture and adventure. There are dozens of things to do there – hikes, museums, churches, medieval villages, sights of natural beauty, spa procedures, a thousand years old hermitage, and even an octagonal temple inside a cave mouth.

For an exhaustive list of the many exciting things to do in the vicinity of the Frasassi Caves, please, click on this blog post: 

• 13 Best Things to Do Around the Frasassi Caves, Italy

In Conclusion

The Frasassi Caves are one of Italy’s and Europe’s most famous and beautiful show caves. You will find them in the Central Italian region of the Marche.

The caves are open to visitors and offer three different itineraries of increasing difficulty to follow through their underground chambers. Come here if you want to experience a different side to Italy and to enjoy the country’s stunning nature.

The above blog post provides exhaustive details to make your visit to the Frasassi Caves, Italy as smooth and enjoyable as possible. It shows you the beautiful cave environment that you can expect to see for yourself when there and gives you lots of first-hand tried and tested tips on how to organise your visit.

I hope that this information will galvanise you to put the Frasassi Caves in Italy at the top of your travel wish list.

Enjoy your visit to the Frasassi Caves!

More helpful links.

• 3 Caves in Europe to Easily Explore with Your Family This Year
• Marche, Italy – 6 Reasons to Visit Italy’s Most Underrated Region
• Visiting the Postojna Caves in Slovenia with a Toddler – Tips for Parents
• Grotte del Caglieron – Caves, Waterfalls, and Cheese – A Great Day Out in the Veneto, Northern Italy
• The Painted Caves of Rubbio, Italy – Where Art Meets Nature

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Grotte di Frasassi

Top choice in Le Marche

Deep in the hill country near the remote village of Genga, the Grotte di Frasassi is one of Europe’s largest cave systems. This karst wonderland, gouged out by the river Sentino and discovered by a team of climbers in September 1971, can be explored on a 75-minute guided tour which takes in features such as the Ancona Abyss , a cavernous 200m-high, 180m-long chamber, and the so-called Gran Canyon full of parallel stalactites resembling pipe organs and waxy stalagmites that rise up like melted candles.

Tours in English depart at 11.40am, 1.40pm and 3.40pm daily from mid-May to June, with an additional 5.15pm departure in July and August, but it's worth calling ahead to check times. Outside of these months, tours are in Italian (with the exception of pre-reserved groups of 10 or more people). English-language audioguides are available, though these require earphones (either bring your own or buy them at the site for €3).

Wear comfortable shoes and bring an extra layer of clothing, as the 14°C temperature can feel nippy in summer.

The scale of the caves is quite astonishing. The Ancona Abyss, for example, would comfortably accommodate Milan Cathedral and contains forests of stalactites and giant stalagmites that reach lengths of up to 20m and took 1.4 million years to form. Other notable features include Niagara, a petrified cascade of pure calcite, and a crystallized lake.

To reach the caves from Ancona, take the SS76 off the A14 and look for the Genga-Sassoferrato exit. The car park, 1.5km east of the cave entrance at San Vittore Terme, is where you buy your tickets and catch the free shuttle bus to the caves. The closest train station, Genga-San Vittore Terme, is also next to the car park and ticket office.

Get In Touch

https://​www​.frasassi​.com​​/

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FRASASSI CAVES TOUR

The Frasassi Caves, Discovered by a group of Ancona speleologists in 1971, are a remarkable karst cave system in the municipality of Genga, Italy, in the province of Ancona, Marche. They

are among the most famous show caves in Italy. Rich in water, the cave system is particularly well endowed with stalactites and stalagmites. Live the unique experience of the Frasassi’s

caves, choose betwen two different kind of visit

• Tourist trail: A walk of about 1 hour and 15 minutes accessibile to everybody at a temperature of 14 degrees constant all the year round. We recommend to use comfortable shoes and a sweatshirt during the summer months.

• Speleo-Adventure: The following suggested journey is suitable to everyone because there are not so many difficulties to face and it represents the first step to enter in the speleological world. The visit includes brief climbings, drifts, narrow passages and slides. The itinerary begins from the “neverending hall”, the last hall of the classical touristic visit, and goes on with the narrow passage of Tap to join “the four sisters hall”. A long tunnel leads to the Finland hall. Ready to get dirty!!

THE PRICE INCLUDE:

✓Tourist trail or Speleo-Adventure itinerary with certified and experienced english speaking guides in complete safety

✓ Pocket Lunch

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

✓ Transportation

✓ Everything not mentioned in the “PRICE INCLUDES”

Price per Person from € 44.00  The price doesn’t include VAT.

✓  Meeting Point – Office Tu.Ris.Marche – Piazza Mazzini, 31 Petritoli

✓ Arrival at the Caves

✓ Guided visit

✓ Duration: about 1-2 hours

MORNING:  from 8:00am to 1:00pm

* Timetables may vary depending on the needs of the participants; Everyday tour schedule; Activities timetable can change according to weather conditions.

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• Picnic in the Vineyards
• Grape Stomping
• Cooking Class
• Craft Beer Tasting
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• Yoga Lesson overlooking the Sibillini
• Boat Day Fishing and Relax
• E-Bike tour overlooking the Sibillini Mountains
• Conero Boat Tour
• Hiking in the Sibillini National Park
• Hot air balloon flight in the Marche region
• Frasassi Caves tour
• Adventure Park
• Cultural Tour
• Shopping experience in Le Marche factories
• Wedding in Petritoli
• Visit Valdaso
• La Dieta Mediterranea nel Regno della Sibilla
• Le Marche in Valigia
• Un Monumento un’Azienda

• Viaggi di 1 giorno
• Tour in Pullman
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Frasassi Caves

• 1.1 History
• 1.2 Landscape
• 1.3 Flora and fauna
• 1.4 Climate
• 4 Get around
• 10.1 Lodging
• 10.2 Camping
• 10.3 Backcountry
• 11 Stay safe

The Frasassi Caves [formerly dead link] (in Italian Grotte di Frasassi ) is a karst cave system near the municipality of Genga in the Marche region of Italy .

Understand [ edit ]

The Frasassi Caves are open to public and they are considered among the most famous show caves in Italy. Although the total length of its corridors is around 30 km, the touristic course that is open to all (including toddlers and elderly people) amounts to over 1.5 km of corridors and rooms. Guided tours take approximately 1.5 hours.

The Frasassi Caves include the magnificent Grotta Grande del Vento , which is so big that the Milan Cathedral would fit inside it easily.

Entrance is possible on all days except: from 4-25 December and from 10-30 January.

Because only a small part of the cave system is included in the leisurely tourist walks there are also routes for the more adventurous visitors that are graded by difficulty: percorso azzurro (the blue trail) and percorso rosso (the red trail). You are supposed to be reasonably fit and prepared to get a little wet and have to crawl and squeeze through narrow openings.

History [ edit ]

The caves were discovered by a group of speleologists from Ancona in 1971.

Landscape [ edit ]

Flora and fauna [ edit ].

The caves are home to pipistrelle bats and cave salamanders.

Climate [ edit ]

Inside the cave it is a constant 14 °C.

Get in [ edit ]

There are three car parks for the caves: a small one by the entrance and two larger ones a one and two minute drive away. The last of these is where most tickets are sold and most coach tours and cars park. Shuttle buses operate from these two car parks to the cave entrance.

You must have a tour to enter the cave: all tickets come with a tour.

Fees [ edit ]

Both English and Italian basic guided cave tours are available. The cost as of 2018 is €18 per adult for a 1.5 hr tour. This includes a shuttle bus to and from the caves. Speleological tours cost up to €50.

Tickets need to be bought at least half an hour in advance of the stated start time and visitors must be at bus stop 10 minutes before.

Audio guides are available for free through an app but you must have your own headphones.

Get around [ edit ]

See [ edit ], do [ edit ], buy [ edit ], eat [ edit ], drink [ edit ], sleep [ edit ], lodging [ edit ], camping [ edit ], backcountry [ edit ], stay safe [ edit ], go next [ edit ].

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Frasassi: a family adventure in the caves

Do you remember our slow weekend in the Marche region in that charming private reserve? Well, we did not spend the entire weekend sunbathing and getting massages. Only half an hour away from our Resort, there is indeed one of the most beautiful attractions in this region. I am talking about the Frasassi Caves,  the largest underground cave complex in Europe.

This is a truly magical place, that extends for about 30 km over eight levels full of stalactites and stalagmites , crystallized ponds, tunnels, rocks and minerals. It is strictly forbidden to take photographs, so I cannot describe its beauty through images. However, the Caves Organization allowed me to use the three shots you see in this article, so you can get an idea of how stunning the caves are.  Once you get in, it is like walking through an upside-down world, where time and space become blurred concepts: you’ll completely lose your orientation and size awareness.

©Piero Principi

Table of Content

The first “room” you visit is called Ancona Abyss . It is huge, among the largest caves in Europe. It is so big that it could easily contain the entire Duomo of Milan. In the centre, your eyes will be caught by a group of ancient stalagmites called The Giants , as they are about 20 mt tall and their diameter ranges from 2 to 5 meters.

As you progress, you will visit several other caves,  each one with wonderful corners to discover and mineral masterpieces coming in different shapes and sizes: for example, Niagara Falls , a huge mass made of pure calcite, so white that shines like a big diamond; or rock formations that will remind you of castles, swords, obelisks, organ pipes, camels and whatever your fantasy will see …

The most beautiful room? Definitely the Hall of Candles . Pure magic.

The Candle Halls. ©Piero Principi

The ticket office is located about one km from the entrance of the caves, which can be reached with a free shuttle service. The Caves can be visited only by guided tour. Every 10 minutes a group of about 50 people, together with a professional guide, is allowed to enter into the caves. To get in, you will walk through an artificial tunnel of about 200 meters, crossing several watertight doors, to maintain a constant internal temperature (which is of 14°, so it is also essential to wear a sweater even in summer). The time of the visit is printed on the ticket.

In addition to the standard path, there are two alternative routes, which provide access to a few caves that cannot be visited through the normal guided tour.

There is the Blue Route,  which is suitable for everyone, adults and children (minimum age: 12 years old). It takes about two hours and involves easy climbing, tunnels and natural slides. The second path is called the  Red Route and   is indicated for those who have already experienced the Blue Route or for those who feel particularly adventurous. The Red Route takes about 3 hours and it involves a 30-meter “jump” (to be made, of course, properly harnessed), crawling through tiny tunnels and a bit of slippery climbing.

If you want to give it a try,  you need to book at least a week in advance ,  writing an email to [email protected]. The Blue Route costs 35 Euros per person, while the Red Route costs 45 euro per person. The fee includes the guide and all the necessary gear.

Good to know

• Getting there:  by car,  take the A14 motorway (Bologna-Canosa), exit Ancona Nord, then follow the SS76 highway Ancona – Roma, exit Genga (25 minutes by car from the motorway). By train,  Genga – San Vittore Terme station. Nearest Airport: Ancona – Falconara. GPS coordinates: N 43 ° 24,243 E 12 ° 58,554
• Where to park: about a km from the entrance of the caves, you’ll find the ticket office and a large free car park. The caves can  then  be reached by bus (free shuttle service)
• Opening times:  the Frasassi Caves are open daily, except 10th to 31st January. From 1st March to 31st October, they are open from 10 am to 5 pm. From 1st November to 28th February, they are open from 11:30 am to 3.30 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 5 pm on Sundays and bank holidays. You need to be at the ticket office half an hour before your visit.
• Ticket Prices: 15.50 € per person;  € 12 for children (6-14 years old), free for children under 6. The price includes the guided tour of the caves, the parking and the shuttle service to the caves. It also includes entrance to the Paleontological Museum of San Vittore and to the – Art & History Museum of Genga. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office on site or online on the Caves website.
• Language tours: from 1st June to 30th September, guided tours are also available in English, German and French, every day at 11:15 am, 12:45 pm, 2:45 pm and 4:15 pm.
• Facilities: both at the parking/ticket office and at the entrance of the caves there are toilets and cafes with pizza, sandwiches and drinks. I have not seen baby-changing facilities. No toilets inside the caves.
• Where to stay : we stayed at San Settimio Reserve , about a half hour drive away.
• A personal advice:  we recommend to visit Frasassi Caves during weekdays and the offseason. When crowded, the groups get too large and you may not even be able to hear what the guide is saying. Furthermore, since the paths inside the caves are not circular, you will return exactly through the same way, bouncing continuously with other groups arriving from the opposite direction. This means, often, people getting on each other’s nerves and unavoidable delays.

More information

Grotte di Frasassi 60040 Genga – Ancona (Marche) Tel 0732 90090 / 0732 90080 Free Toll Number (only if you are in Italy) 800 166 250 Email: [email protected] Website: www.frasassi.com

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Scritto da: valentina cappio.

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This looks amazing! Definitely adding it to my list!

Oh you have to!!! And there are plenty things to see in the nearby!!

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GROTTE DI FRASASSI TOUR TURISTICO

The Frasassi Caves, within the Marche Apennines, is one of the greatest and most fascinating underground path in the world. Splendid stalactites and gigantic stalagmites mix with flows of crystals, in a succession of harmonious shapes. A long itinerary in which an unreal landscape has flourished, an enchanted world that takes us back to the beginnings of nature. An uncontaminated, hidden, underground ecosystem, in which it is still possible to observe the formation of concretions, the water drops that dig and build their own architecture and in which life has continued undisturbed for millions of years.

Address Genga AN

Phone 800 166 250

Phone +39 0732 90090

Email Address [email protected]

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GROTTE DI FRASASSI - Timetable

COLLECTION OF BOOKED TICKETS

ClOSING DAYS

1st january, summer entrance hours: 1 march - 31 march, from monday to sunday it is possible to buy tickets online through tickets.frasassi.com for the following time slots:, summer entrance hours: 1 april - 31 may, on saturday and sunday it is possible to buy tickets online through tickets.frasassi.com for the following time slots:, summer entrance hours: 1 june - 10 june, from 5 to 10 june:, summer entrance hours: 11 june - 30 june, from monday to friday it is possible to buy tickets online through tickets.frasassi.com for the following time slots:, summer entrance hours: 1 july - 30 september, timetables reserved for english speaking guides: (until october 17), summer entrance hours: 1 october - 31 october, winter entrance hours: 1 november - 28 february, from monday to friday:, from monday to friday from 01/12 to 24/12:, saturday / sunday, holidays, bridges and every day from 26/12 to 31/12:, 1st january:, from 02/01 to 07/01:, 08-09/01 and 31/01:, closing days:, grotte di frasassi - costs, 18,00 €.

(Military conscripts or on permanent permanent service, war and work invalids - Speologists, CAI members, seniors over 65, university students, with suitable document - Journalists and Teachers) - tourists with a ticket used by another cave associated with AGTI

15,00 €

Children 6-14 years, 12,00 €, personalized guided tour.

Entrance by reservation

100 € + ticket

Children under 6 years of age, people with disabilities who are not self-sufficient and their companions, 100% disabled with companion citizens residing in the municipality of genga, free entrance, speleological visit.

The ticket includes the visit with guides and the supply of the necessary equipment. Reservations are required by telephone at the toll-free number 800 166 250 or from abroad +39 0732 90090 or by email: [email protected] Once you have received the confirmation from the Frasassi Caves, on the day of booking you will have to go to the Frasassi Caves Parking and Ticket Office to have the entrance ticket issued and then take the Shuttle Bus that will take you free to the entrance of the Grotto.

Speleological visit - Blue path (about 2 hours.)

40,00 €, speleological visit - blue path for schools, 30,00 €, speleological visit - red path (about 3 hours), 50,00 €.

For groups of more than 20 people and schools, it is possible to book on the toll-free number 800 166 250 or via email [email protected] , no later than 12:00 on the previous day. On the day of booking it is necessary to go to the Frasassi Caves Parking and Ticket Office at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time to have the entrance ticket issued and take the shuttle bus to enter the cave. Special concessions are granted to tour operators, bus operators, tour operators and tourist and leisure associations.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Frasassi - Paid hours

Ticket office closed from 10th to 30th January, 4th and 25th December

January (1-9 January, 31 January), February, March (until 03/29), November and December

30-31 march, april, may, june, september, july, august, sanctuary of our lady of frasassi - costs, 6,00 €.

(Frasassi Caves' tickets holders, military in active permanent service, invalids from war and work, speleologists, CAI members, people over 65, university students with card, journalists and teachers)

4,00 €

2,00 €, organized groups.

Minimum 20 people: booking must be made before 12 pm on the previous day. (1 free entrance every 20 people) info at phone number +39 0732 90090

School Groups

Students, teachers and parents (1 free entrance every 15 people) info at phone number +39 0732 90090

Residents of the municipality of Genga, children under 6, persons with disabilities and their assistants, tourist guide with card, teachers with school groups

Included in the entrance ticket to the frasassi caves is the entrance to two very suggestive museums located in the genga area: the speleo paleontological and archaeological museum of san vittore and the museum art history territory - genga., paleontological and archaeological speleological museum of san vittore - timetable.

ATTENTION!!! The speleopaleontological museum of San Vittore alle Chiuse is temporarily closed for internal restructuring

Closed on 4th December, 25th December, 1st January, from 10th to 30th January

LOW SEASON: NOVEMBER - FEBRUARY

Every day at the following times:, high season: march - october, museum art history territory - genga - timetable, low season: november - april, high season: may - october, speleo-paleontological and archaeological museum and museum art history territory - genga - costs, school groups (pupils and parents) and children 6-14 years, 1,00 €, teachers free entrance, groups over 20 people and school groups.

Benefits: one free entrance every 20 people

1,50 €

Sanctuary of our lady of frasassi, persons with disabilities and their assistants, residents of then municipality of genga, children under 6 years.

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