Campolungo (Amandola)
At a glance
- Municipality
- Amandola
- Province
- Fermo
- Region
- Le Marche
Campolungo, in the municipality of Amandola (province of Fermo, Marche), is a grassy plateau at about 1,200 m above sea level. It lies on the eastern slopes of the Sibillini Mountains, at the foot of Monte Amandola. It can be reached by car from Amandola, and routes start here toward Monte Amandola, Pizzo Tre Vescovi, the springs of the Ambro and Monte Castel Manardo. On the plateau stands the Rifugio Città di Amandola mountain hut: it is best to check that it is open before driving up.
From the plateau the view takes in much of the Marche, from Monte Conero to the Gran Sasso. It is not a village with a historic center: it is a mountain area suited to walks, picnics, hikes and, in winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
On the map
Points from the site database. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors · Protomaps.
What to see in Campolungo
The landmark of Campolungo is the plateau itself, an open meadow at about 1,200 m, with the Rifugio Città di Amandola and a large picnic area with barbecues and a fountain. In front of the fountain, roughly level with the hut, is the information board for trail E6.
The main reason to visit is the view. From the hut the view spans the Marche from Monte Conero to the Gran Sasso. From the summit of Monte Amandola, on clear days, the Adriatic Sea is also visible.
For anything else, the main town is the place to go: the page on things to do in Amandola describes the churches, museums and monuments of the historic center.
Nature and trails near Campolungo
From Campolungo a loop hike leads to Monte Amandola. It climbs to the summit and requires good fitness. There is also a longer, more demanding loop variant that includes the Balzo Rosso and the upper Valle dell'Ambro.
Experienced hikers can tackle the E6 loop toward Pizzo Tre Vescovi (2,092 m). It is graded EE (for experienced hikers) and demanding, 18 km long, with about 1,490 m of elevation gain. The full loop takes about 6 and a half hours and returns past the foot of the Balzo Rosso. After the earthquake, the section from Casale Ricci to the junction with trail 230 was reported closed, and dogs can only go as far as Casale Ara del Re, without continuing toward Pizzo Tre Vescovi. These routes climb to high altitudes, and it is best to check the latest conditions before setting out. The Sibillini area was hit hard by the 2016 earthquakes.
For shorter walks, Valle Caprina or the Balzo Rosso can be reached. Wild orchids, aromatic herbs and species such as the golden eagle, kestrel, buzzard, wallcreeper and peregrine falcon have been recorded here. By mountain bike there are loop rides that start from Amandola and pass through Garulla and Campolungo.
In winter the cross-country ski trail can be followed to Valle Caprina and its beech wood. From Garulla to Campolungo and on to Pintura di Bolognola there is also a service road through the woods, already proposed as a snowshoe route.
Where to stay in Campolungo
In Campolungo the only option listed is the Rifugio Città di Amandola, which offers rooms and overnight stays. For a wider choice, see the page on where to stay in Amandola.
Along the road up, in Garulla, another mountain hut offers different kinds of accommodation, from tent pitches to rooms with breakfast, on reservation.
Where to eat in Campolungo
The Rifugio Città di Amandola is also the place to eat on the plateau: it serves meals with typical local dishes. Those coming up for a day of hiking can therefore have lunch without going back down to the valley. An alternative is the picnic area next to the hut, with barbecues and a fountain.
For lunch or dinner in town, the list is on the page on Amandola restaurants.
Local products in Campolungo
There are no shops in Campolungo: local products can be tasted at the hut, which offers cooking based on local recipes and ingredients. In nearby Garulla, the "fregnacce di Amandola" (rolled egg pasta) are named as a specialty of the local cuisine.
To buy products to take home, it is best to go down to Amandola: the shops are listed on the page on Amandola local products.
Weather and how to get to Campolungo
To reach Campolungo, drive up from Amandola toward the hamlet of Garulla, following the signs for the Rifugio Città di Amandola. At the fork for Campolungo, continue to the grassy plateau, where there is parking. The coordinates of the starting point are 42°57'57.6" N and 13°17'13.2" E. The hut can also be reached from the Grande Anello dei Sibillini.
At 1,200 m the climate is that of the mountains: in winter people go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding. In winter the road may stay open only as far as the junction with Valle Caprina, leaving the last 5 km to cross-country skis, sleds and snowshoes. Before setting out, it is best to check the forecast and road conditions.