THE MONTE TEZIO LOOP
Difficulty: E; Elevation gain: 450 m; Distance: 10 km.
Arrival at the farm and check-in. Drive to the starting point following Provincial Road 170 to Colle Umberto (north of Perugia). After passing through the village, you will find a turnoff on the right leading to the Monte Tezio park. Leave your car near the park gate (there is also a large parking lot just before). Enter the park via a wide dirt road that ascends to a small shelter (used as an information center). This is both the starting and ending point of the loop trail.

This itinerary is particularly relaxing, offering constant views of enchanting landscapes: first southward over the tranquil Lake Trasimeno, then northward toward the Apennines, with vistas stretching to the distant Sibillini and Langhe mountains, and closer to Mounts Acuto, Corona, and Subasio.

The name “Tezio” comes from the ancient Etruscans, who would pilgrimage to the foothills of the mountain, partly following this same trail, to worship the goddess Tethys.

After the hike, we will visit Perugia to seek out a pastry shop or chocolatier to recharge with the world’s most beloved indulgence!

POLVESE ISLAND AND LAKE TRASIMENO
This excursion is a delightful panoramic loop suitable for everyone, including children, and visits all the most interesting spots on Polvese Island, the largest island of Lake Trasimeno.

We will drive to San Feliciano and take the ferry to Polvese Island, a site of special naturalistic interest due to its tall holm oak forest, ancient olive groves, and extensive reed beds.

This journey offers a fascinating interplay of science and culture, allowing us to experience the island during seasonal changes that echo the elements of water, earth, air, and fire. Upon arrival, we will start at the Service Center, visiting the Castle and the Church of San Giuliano. From here, we will follow a path along the southern reed beds to reach the Church of San Secondo and the Olivetan Monastery.

Walking along the ancient Procession Way, we will arrive at the Water Plants Garden before returning to the Service Center. Since 1973, Polvese Island has been a designated educational and scientific park, holding both natural and historical treasures.

This easy, varied itinerary offers a unique perspective of Lake Trasimeno. The typical Umbrian landscape is made special by the lake’s waters, and the island showcases sustainable land management solutions, including phytoremediation, organic farming, and renewable energy.

There will also be opportunities for birdwatching. Lake Trasimeno, the largest freshwater lake in peninsular Italy, is a biodiversity haven. It provides an ideal refuge for numerous wetland species, including large birds like coots, ducks (wigeon, gadwall, mallard, teal, pochard), cormorants, and great crested grebes. The marsh harrier’s flight and dives are particularly captivating.

Dinner: Savor traditional Umbrian torta al testo by the lakeshore.

FARM ACTIVITIES: THE HERB WORKSHOP
This fragrant workshop will introduce us to aromatic and medicinal plants, exploring their secrets, uses, and properties. We’ll create soaps and scented sachets to bring natural aromas into our homes.

Afternoon:
DUNAROBBA AND THE FARNETTA WOODS
A medium-difficulty hike to discover gently sloping hills composed of clay-rich lacustrine deposits. The area is notable for its dominance of the farnetto (Italian oak), a tree with long, dark green leaves that gave its name to the small village of Farnetta. Since the early Middle Ages, the countryside here has been characterized by large farnetto forests.

The hike covers about 8 km with a 300 m elevation gain.

The area is also of great paleobotanical significance, featuring the Fossil Forest of Dunarobba, a unique natural monument. It preserves about fifty fossilized conifer trunks from the Taxodiaceae family, remnants of forests that once lined the shores of the ancient Tiberino Lake.

We will visit this exceptional site, which holds immense scientific value.

Nel pomeriggio: DUNAROBBA E I BOSCHI DI FARNETTA: Una bella escursione di media difficoltà alla scoperta del territorio  di collina, dal profilo dolce, costituite da depositi lacustri prevalentemente argillosi. La peculiarità di quest’area risiede nell’importanza della dominanza del FARNETTO da cui prende nome il piccolo paese di Farnetta (una fagacea dalle foglie lunghe e di un verde intenso) che, fin dall’alto medioevo, era caratterizzato dai grandi boschi di farnetto nelle sue campagne. L’escursione è di circa 8 km con +300 m di dislivello positivo.

L’aspetto principale del sito è il suo grande valore dal punto divista paleobotanico. Esso racchiude, infatti, i resti di una foresta fossile formata da una cinquantina di tronchi fossili di conifere della famiglia delle Taxodiaceae, unica testimonianza delle foreste che ricoprivano parte delle sponde dell’antico Lago Tiberino. Entriamo nel sito della Foresta Fossile di Dunarobba, un monumento naturalistico unico al mondo e di grande rilevanza scientifica.

WOODS AND CHOCOLATE: MONTE MALBE
Difficulty: E; Distance: 12.5 km.

Check out and head to Monte Malbe, just outside Perugia, for a half-day hike in its forests. Starting and ending at the rural parking lot in front of Villa Montemalbe (or Villa Galletti), accessible via Via Cerruti, the M19 loop trail offers a medium-level hiking experience.

This route showcases all the historical and natural beauty of Monte Malbe: the San Salvatore Hermitage, karst sinkholes, ancient lime kilns, charcoal pits, and unique “trosce,” small ponds formed by rain, vital to the area’s ecological balance.

The vegetation is typical of Mediterranean scrub, with holm oaks and dense undergrowth. Of special note is the presence of heather (brugo), extremely rare in Italy.

This hike is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the forest and its inhabitants: wild boar, foxes, porcupines, badgers, and, especially, amphibians like newts, salamanders, frogs, and toads that find refuge in the trosce.

End of services.