Carpina Valley

The upper-Tiber area of Umbria offers a rich natural area of hills and valleys with hidden gems and nice walking paths. One of the tributaries, the Carpina, has a valley of thick woods, cascades, and steep hills. This swath of Umbria is a delight to explore, with its lovely little towns and natural splendor.

The swath is called "alta Umbria" or upper Umbria, and is a zone of picturesque towns scattered among beautiful natural landscapes of green hills and valleys. The Valle del Carpina offers some interesting hikes (or mountain biking) that pass old water-powered mills, waterfalls, through forests and along ridges. The towns of Pietralunga and Montone are full of Old World charm, with historic monuments, churches and palaces along their stone streets.

TRAILS

Two natural trails pass through this area - the St. Francis Way (la via di Francesco) and the Grand Italia Trail (Sentiero Italia) come through this zone. These internationally-known trails can be walked as a long-range trek over days or in small pieces, as a day hike.

The Valle del Carpina Path. Connects Pietralunga to Montone; it passes the pretty waterfalls of Pinzo, a thrilling three-tiered cascade, old mills, thick woods, and beautiful natural surroundings. It can be done as a one-way or a loop trail.

The Via della Memoria. Follows the paths used by the partisans' San Faustino Brigade during WWII along the hilltops, a 7-kilometer trail from Treponti to Le Spesce (you can add on 2 more kilometers to arrive in Montone).

There are many paths in the Valle del Carpina and Alta Umbria, though, so get some maps at the Info Points and lace up your hiking shoes!

Other Points of Interest

Rocca d'Aries. Near Montone, it is the oldest fortification in the area, built in the early 1300s on the site of an earlier fortress. It's a picturesque place.

Roman Road. Near Pietralunga is a stretch of ancient Roman paving, a road that connected Citta di Castello - Gubbio - Perugia.

Sanctuary of Madonna dei Remedi. A country stone church outside Pietralunga along the river that was part of an old monastery complex. It is said that the Madonna appeared to a child here, as well as to several of the monks, and has been a place of devotion ever since. (Open during Saturday Mass)

Cascatelle. The cascades, waterfalls, of Col di Pinzo offers a lovely three-tier waterfall in a lush natural setting.

Fonte del Drago. Near the Pieve dei Saddi is a sulpher spring called the "fountain of the dragon".