Theoretical/practical lesson in the structure and surroundings: Meeting with the group and getting to know the participants, their motivations, and backgrounds. Information on movement techniques in the environment, risks, and how to orient oneself using a map and compass through exercises around the structure. Dinner and a short night hike.

THE FOREST OF PIETRALUNGA. First meeting to get to know the area: Pietralunga. A walk in the beautiful woods surrounding the village, from which we begin the so-called “wolf rings” that lead us into one of the largest forests in Umbria. The summit area, characterized by strongly eroded slopes with exposed bare rock (which in some places forms evocative gullies), offers a panoramic view of the adjacent mountain ranges: Serra di Burano, Monte Nerone, Monte Catria, and Monte Cucco. A beautiful immersion in nature to inspire us.

Return to the structure and practical trial on how to organize and prepare our trekking backpack for different types of hikes. Dinner.

Length: approximately 13 km
Elevation gain: +400m
Difficulty: moderate

MONTE CUCCO PARK. The Monte Cucco Regional Park represents a wonderful natural heritage thanks to the numerous Natura 2000 habitats protected within it. Gorges, limestone cliffs, meadows, beech forests with yew and holly will be the landscapes accompanying us on this beautiful loop hike. We will start from the meadows of Pian delle Macinare, walking along the Sentiero Italia 225 and exploring the scenic forests of Monte Cucco. Descending the north-east slope, we will follow the Rio Freddo, considered one of the most important gorges in the Umbrian-Marche Apennines. We will then reach the Val di Ranco and continue along a beautiful trail, accessible even for those with disabilities, where we will encounter the “Mother of Beech Trees,” a centuries-old forest made up of majestic trees, creating an evocative and fairy-tale-like environment. It is a protected area that can be visited down to nearly the “center of the Earth” through its cave, which extends over 30 km and more of tunnels, with a maximum depth of almost 100m, but also from above, as it is one of the most well-known flying sites in Europe.

Return to the structure, basic first aid information, debriefing, and dinner.

Length: approximately 10 km
Elevation gain: +350m
Difficulty: moderate

ORIENTEERING Half-day orienteering competition in the woods surrounding the structure with compasses and maps, in search of the lanterns. Lunch at the structure. Quiz on the topics covered during the course. Presentation of participation certificates and… Good steps to everyone, see you on the trails!!!