Amongst the mountain railways in Italy, the Spoleto to Norcia line in southern Umbria was always considered one of the finest. It was one of the last and one of the most challenging built. The first public service to run line was a steam driven bus in 1902. The popularity convinced the authorities to convert it into a proper railway. Construction was started under the direction of Erwin Thomann, a Swiss engineer who had extensive experience drilling tunnels back home. It kicked off in 1913 and was finished in 1926.
The railway is 52 kilometres long. It connected the beautiful hilltown of Spoleto, burrowed through the foothills of the Apennines and then follows the Nera River as it winds up to Norcia. It operated until 1968. It lay neglected for several decades until finally, in 2001, thanks to the work of volunteers and the support of local authorities, it was reworked and opened as a cycling and walking ‘rail trail’. The ‘Greenway Spoleto-Norcia’ has since won several prizes and is a fabulous way to explore this special part of central Italy. What more could you want for a healthy and exciting weekend in Italy?
