(English) UMBRIA’S NATURAL RESERVE PARKS

Our Regione is one of the most interesting and varied in the country from a naturalistic point of view. The Apennines, the broad valleys,  vast plains, steep gorges, sweet rolling hills, lakes, water falls and extensive forests are also the last natural refuges of several species of rare Italian fauna.  The parks that safeguard the rich flora and fauna are the natural habitat of wolves, wild cats and the royal eagle. Over the last few decades many parks have been instituted to protect these species, as well as others, from man’s incursion into their environments.  The following is a list of some of the most important natural reserves in Umbria for those who wish to see another side of our splendid land.

PARCO DEL MONTE CUCCO

This beautiful protected reserve is considered the “bowels of the Apennines” for its extensive system of underground caves.  The park protects many species of flora and fauna, and has a high biodiversity index.

Towns in the area: Scheggia and Pascelupo, Fossato di Vico, Costacciaro, Sigillo.

Distance from the Hotel della Torre:  ± 45km.

Sports activities practised:

Hiking: the park has many sign-posted trails of all levels that are easy to follow

Canyoning                      

Hang-gliding

Spelunking

Rock climbing

Courses in all of these sports are available.

PARCO DI COLFIORITO

Although this is the smallest of the protected reserve in Umbria, the Colfiorito Park may be its most famous.  Declared a UN Heritage Site, it is a complex of 7 conches encircled by a steep, barren, calcareous crown.  Its environmental importance is equal to its cultural and historical heritage. It lies within Foligno’s jurisdiction.  

Distance from the Hotel della Torre :  ±30 km

Sports activities practised:

Hiking

Horseback riding

Mountain biking

The many trails lead the visitor to discover not just the stunning beauty of the nature in this park, but also the traces left by man over the centuries.  The trails that take you by the Colfiorito marshland are particularly interesting.

PARCO DEL MONTE SUBASIO

This is the park of Saint Francis and his hermitages, it is a mystical park and the entire town of Assisi is included within its boundaries.

The towns associated with the park area are: Assisi, Nocera Umbra, Spello and Valtopina.

Distance from the Hotel della Torre:  ± 15 km

Sports activities practised:

Hiking and walking: the many trails that take the hiker up to the summit of the mountain are well sign-posted. Make sure you have adequate footwear and a snack for along the way when you stop to admire the breathtaking views.

Hang-gliding

PARCO FLUVIALE DEL NERA

The Nera Park is located in the Province of Terni and includes Arrone, Ferentillo, Montefranco, Polino and Terni. The middle-lower tracts of the Nera River, and its tributaries, flow through it.  At the point where the Velino meets the Nera you will find the spectacular Marmore Falls. 

Hiking: there are numerous trails, some of which pass by the falls.  The trails vary in difficulty from easy to expert, and can take from 20 minutes to 5 hours.  The one that takes you for a panoramic view of the falls is short

Distance from the Hotel della Torre:  ± 40km

Other sports activities practised:

The Nera Park is a paradise for all those who love river-related and mountain sports.  The narrow gorges and the rocky cliffs of the Valnerina create ideal conditions for rafting, hydro-speed sports, canoeing and kayaking, river surfing, canyoning, rock climbing, free climbing and spelunking.

PARCO NAZIONALE DEI MONTI SIBILLINI

The Sibillini Mountains Park covers several provinces and is the year-round playground for nature lovers and sporty types alike.  Its high peaks, steep slopes, extensive pastures, mystical places and historical importance make it the ideal place for a full day of activity in all seasons.  

Distance from the Hotel della Torre: ± 40 km

Sports activities practised:

Hiking:

The variety and length of trails to follow in this park is truly vast.  In summer, hikers can roam the mountains all day, even with guides, and trekkers can spend days there.   There is even a summer night-time ascent up Mount Vettore to catch the sunrise over the Adriatic. Although a certain level of physical fitness is needed, even lazier visitors will find themselves happily wandering up soft rolling slopes to see the views from above. 

An initiative entitled “A park for everyone” includes a 120km long trail divided into 9 stages, two of which pass through the Umbrian part of the Park.

In times gone by it was believed that the park was inhabited by witches, and by the prophetess Sybil (after whom the park is named) who was consulted in her cave on matters of great, and less great, importance.

One lovely day hike can take you to the eye-glasses shaped Pilate’s Lake, where legend has it his soul finally found rest, nestled in a breathtaking bare rock and gravel conch at 1940m above sea level.   

Other sports practised:

Advanced rock climbing and mountaineering: up the walls of Pizzo del Diavolo

Canyoning: in Poggio Paradiso, on the Ussita River, in the canyon of Infernaccio and in Piastrone

Rafting: on the relatively tame Corno River

Skiing: Forca Canapine, fully equipped slopes

Alpine or Off-piste skiing: on the slopes of the Argentella

Paragliding: with the school located in Castelluccio

Hang-gliding: with the school in Castelluccio

In order to get the most out of  these many alternative activities please ask us to help you get a guide who will make sure you do the things you wish to do in the best possible way.  We can help you rent bikes, find an excursion guide, set you up with the gliding school, rafting companies, adventure camps, horses and even dog sleds (when there is snow).

THE  ACTIVO  PARK

This group of very active individuals will organise all sorts of activities and outings for you, made to measure. They open in March and there is very little, in the way of outdoor sports, that they don’t organise!  Check out www.activopark.com for their programmes and activities calendar.