Outdoor activities: nature and sport - Outdoor activities: nature and sport

Among the best-equipped climbing areas in Europe, Ferentillo, in the Valnerina valley, offers dozens of sectors with routes ranging from grade 3b to 8b+, suitable for both beginners and experienced climbers. After climbing, a visit to the Museum of the Mummies is well worth it—one of the crag sectors is even named after it.

Just a few kilometres from Foligno, the Pale crag can be reached with a short walk from the village of the same name. Around ninety equipped routes (4c–7c+) follow the path leading to the hermitage of Santa Maria Giacobbe. The most accessible area is Uccellessa, with numerous mid- to low-grade routes; as you climb higher, the routes become more challenging.

A few kilometres from Gubbio, in the municipality of Costacciaro, the Monte Cucco cave system is one of the most important underground networks in Europe, with over 35 kilometres of passages and a maximum depth of 922 metres. It offers routes of varying difficulty.

As early as the 19th century, the German historian Ferdinand Gregorovius was captivated by the beauty of this underground world, stating that he had never seen anything like it.

Umbria is perfectly suited to exploration on two wheels, thanks to a network of routes crossing rolling hills, river valleys, protected areas and medieval villages. From the flat cycle path around Lake Trasimeno -ideal for families and cyclists of all levels—to more demanding routes through the Sibillini Mountains or along the disused railway lines of the Valnerina, the region offers options for every type of bike and every level of experience.

Those who prefer a relaxed pace can follow scenic cycling routes, while gravel and mountain bike enthusiasts will find unpaved tracks climbing through olive groves, woodlands and high plateaus. Numerous themed itineraries—combining art, spirituality, food and wine—are designed for those who enjoy cycling slowly, stopping in villages or wineries along the way.

Discover the full range of routes and find the one that suits you best.

The Colfiorito Plateau, in the heart of the Umbrian-Marche Apennines, offers a 13 km loop within the Regional Park. The route crosses a wetland area of over 100 hectares, a rare habitat at national level, with wooden walkways winding through reeds and reflective pools. The area is a paradise for birdwatching: grey herons, little egrets, kingfishers and more than 150 species of resident and migratory birds. The trail, well marked by the Italian Alpine Club (CAI), passes through the fortified village of Monte Carpello and the pre-Roman archaeological site of Monte Orve.

Between Casco dell’Acqua and Bevagna, a section of the Via Appennino runs through rural landscapes, olive groves and small villages. This route, largely along dirt roads and mule tracks, connects the hamlet of Casco dell’Acqua—developed along the Clitunno River—to Bevagna, offering evocative views of streams and waterways.

For more demanding hikes, the Sibillini Mountains offer well-marked trails across high-altitude pastures, beech forests and abandoned villages. Recommended starting points include Castelluccio, Norcia and Preci. In spring, the flowering of the Castelluccio plain transforms the landscape into a vibrant mosaic of poppies, lentils and wildflowers that change day by day.