Drive to visit the important archaeological site of Carsulae, a center for the pre-Roman populations living in the surrounding hills and countryside, built along the Via Flaminia. The ancient city of Carsulae, located in southern Umbria at an altitude of 500 meters above sea level, is crossed by the western branch of the Via Flaminia, which still preserves its original pavement. In the afternoon, visit the FOSSIL FOREST OF DUNAROBBA, where the remains of around fifty trunks of massive conifers are visible. These provide an exceptional and rare testament to certain plant species that dominated this part of the Italian peninsula between 3 and 2 million years ago during the Pliocene epoch. Largely buried under sediment, this ancient forest indicates environmental conditions that were very different from today, including a significantly warmer climate. The unique characteristics of this paleontological site make it a world-class natural monument of great scientific importance.

MONTE SUBASIO AND ITS GEOLOGICAL HISTORY
Difficulty: E (Easy); Elevation gain: 250 m; Distance: 10 km.
Drive to the Cai Refuge at Madonna della Spella on Monte Subasio, where we will park. This meeting point will be the start and end of an experiential circular walk around the sacred mountain, accompanied by the sounds of nature and the colorful hues of its grassy slopes, bordered by shady forests that offer protection to numerous creatures. The Subasio Park is a protected regional area of around 7,500 hectares located in the heart of Umbria, east of Assisi, and is distinguished by various types of vegetation such as meadows, beech forests, juniper formations, and reforestation areas. These habitats are part of the Natura 2000 Network and are home to wildlife such as wolves, deer, roe deer, wild boars, foxes, weasels, badgers, and martens. You may also spot nocturnal birds like the tawny owl and barn owl, and diurnal birds like the golden eagle, kestrel, and peregrine falcon.

After the hike, a visit to the paleontological museum is recommended, where the geological and paleontological heritage of Monte Subasio is on display. The museum features three studies on limestone and marl rocks, with a focus on ammonites from the Corniola and Red Ammonitic formations, as well as fossils of mollusks from around 180 million years ago (Lower Jurassic). The museum displays limestone models of shells that geologists use for rock dating. The Red Ammonitic from the Umbria-Marche region contains 40 genera and several hundred ammonites. Immerse yourself in the profession of geologists by observing and studying the many fossils in the museum, just like true paleontologists!

GUBBIO AND THE DINOSAURS.
From Porta Sant’Ubaldo in Gubbio, a thrilling trekking path leads through the stunning Gola del Bottaccione, famous for its role in the dinosaur extinction theory. The hike begins with a panoramic ascent of Monte Ingino, followed by a walk along an ancient medieval aqueduct, from which the gorge gets its name (“bottaccio”). Here, you can admire the layered rocks that tell the geological history from prehistory to the present. In the 1980s, a significant concentration of iridium, a metal commonly found in meteorites but rare on Earth, was discovered, fueling theories about the extinction of dinosaurs and adding to the allure of the experience. Back in Gubbio’s center, don’t miss the “Dinosaurs in Flesh and Bones” Museum, which features life-size models, fossils, casts, explanatory panels, and multimedia content. The “Extinction” exhibit narrates the History of Life on Earth, with a particular focus on mass extinctions.

Length: 7.5 km
Elevation gain: +250 m
If using the cable car to reach Monte Ingino, the length becomes about 6.5 km with a positive elevation gain of 100 m
Difficulty: Medium/easy