Umbria

Mount Meraviglia (1,392 m), in the Valnerina, and nearby Mount Maggio (1,415 m) and Mount Porretta (1,342 m), located not far away, also offer very beautiful views. North of Perugia, on the other hand, are less high but no less beautiful and scenic reliefs, such as Monte Acuto (926 m), with its characteristic cone shape, and Monte Tezio (961 m), rich in historical evidence and varied vegetation. East of Gubbio, on the other hand, lies the Monte Cucco Park, a protected area established in 1995. Its highest and most important peak in the massif, which also gives its name to the park, is a very interesting and fascinating place: here there are numerous caves, including the Grotta di Monte Cucco, one of the largest in Italy, and the Grotta di San Donino, and impressive gorges. Monte Cucco is also a favorite destination for hang gliding and paragliding enthusiasts throughout Italy. Another protected mountain area is the Mount Subasio Regional Park, on whose slopes rise the towns of Assisi and Spello. The mountain has a rounded shape and a modest height (1,291 m), yet it attracts mountain bikers with elevation changes not to be underestimated.

A must-see for anyone visiting Umbria is the Marmore Falls. 165 meters high, divided into three different jumps, it is the highest artificial waterfall in Europe and the most famous in Italy. It is a truly incredible work of hydraulic engineering: it was created by the ancient Romans in 271 B.C. to solve the problem of flooding of the Velino River, and today it is regulated by floodgates that determine its flow rate and opening hours. When the waterfall is at full capacity, it offers a truly breathtaking sight. Six hiking trails allow visitors to tour the surrounding area and admire the waterfall from different perspectives. In addition to hiking, other activities can be done in Marmore Falls Park: climbing, rafting, canyoning, hydrospeeding, kayaking, and river walking. You can also explore some of the many caves carved into the rock over the centuries.

A very important place in terms of history and nature is Lake Trasimeno, the first lake in central Italy and the fourth largest in the country.Surrounded by Umbrian and Tuscan hills, this large lake with tranquil waters is the ideal place for walking, jogging and a wide range of water sports: windsurfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, canoeing, SUP, sailing, boat rides and water skiing. The lush nature surrounding it, which is part of the Lake Trasimeno Regional Park, invites hiking and horseback riding, while a bicycle path allows people to circle the lake on two wheels. Two of the three islands that lie in the middle of the lake-the Isola Maggiore and Isola Polvese-are ideal for excursions into the countryside and cultural visits. Among the beautiful villages on the shores of Lake Trasimeno, Castiglione del Lago, Paciano, Passignano sul Trasimeno, Panicale, and Città della Pieve are especially worth a visit.

Another place that is certainly worth a visit is the Fonti del Clitunno, in the province of Perugia, a clear pond fed by underground springs that is home to several species of aquatic animals. You can walk through the lush vegetation, feed the aquatic animals, relax on the benches and enjoy the coolness. The beauty of the place has fascinated famous people such as Lord Byron and Joshua Carducci.

Just a 20-minute drive away are the Menotre Falls, smaller than the Marmore Falls, but very impressive. They are little known, so you can have a nice hike in peace.

If you like to immerse yourself in unspoiled nature and total silence you will also love another place in the province of Perugia: the Palude di Colfiorito, rich in birdlife surrounded by cultivated fields. An easy route suitable for everyone allows you to tour the wetland and admire the surrounding landscape.

The places associated with history, art and culture are countless and to visit them all would take a long time, yet a trip to Umbria would not be complete without a visit to the most important cities and towns.It is worth going straight to Perugia, the regional capital, with the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Rocca Paolina, the Palazzo dei Priori, the Fontana Maggiore and the National Gallery of Umbria. Not far away is Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, which attracts millions of people from all over the world each year for its spirituality and medieval charm. Here you can visit the Basilica of St. Francis, which houses Giotto's famous frescoes and the saint's tomb, the Church of Santa Chiara, the church and convent of San Damiano, and the Rocca Maggiore.

A region known for its spirituality and natural beauty like Umbria is the ideal place for those who want to approach slow tourism and pilgrimage routes. One of the most beautiful paths to take is certainly the one dedicated to Italy's patron saint, St. Francis, who made poverty and brotherhood his philosophy of life: the Way of Francis, a 22-stage itinerary that crosses Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio, touching on the most significant places in the life of St. Francis. Those who want to try something faster can choose the Way of Assisi, which connects Dovadola, in the province of Forlì, with Assisi for a total of 13 stages. On the other hand, if you want to follow in the footsteps of St . Benedict, you can do the Cammino di San Benedetto, which runs from Norcia to Montecassino, in Lazio.

To immerse yourself in the beauty of the Apennines and discover important historical places, you can instead choose the Cammino nelle Terre Mutate, which runs through Marche, Umbria, Lazio and Abruzzo, for a total of more than 250 km.

For an experience that covers only the Umbrian territory, one can walk the Cammino dei Borghi Silenti, a 90-kilometer-long loop trail that winds through the southeastern part of Umbria and leads through lonely forests and villages. An experience aimed at rediscovering little-known and unspoiled places.