This park was established in 1993. It extends for more than 70.000 hectares along the Umbrian and Marchean territory, at about 500-2476 metres height (Vettore Mountain). Here the Apennine wolf and the royal eagle take refuge still today. In this area, mountains show the Apennine typical sandstone morphology and massive rocks, where Corsic phenomena are evident. Places of very old and suggestive legends are the Lake "Pilate", where probably there are remains of this Roman prefect, and Sibilla Cave. The ancestral beauty of nature and the breathtaking panoramas mark the whole trip. Leaving from Norcia, through the so-called small saddle, that is St. Cross Pass, you reach Piano Grande (1270 metres about), one of the four basins forming Castelluccio uplands (1452 m.). This was an old fortress in the past, built to defend Nursino east border and grazings, a well-known place for its flowering in Spring. Another set route is St. Eutizio Abbey, which stands close to some caves where hermits lived during the V and VI c. In the X c., the abbey was the chiefest religious, economic and political centre in this area. One of the oldest vernacular texts (XI c.) comes from this monastery. The church, built in 1190, keeps inside interesting artistic works (XV and XVI c.).
Fluvial Park of the River Nera
The river Nera, called "Nahr" during the past, is one of the most important tributaries of Tevere. It originates from the springs of Sibillini Mountains' western side. This park is a regional protected area and comprises the river's middle-lower part, from the confluence with the river Velino to Marmore Waterfall. Marmore Waterfall offers a striking view. Infact, Velino flows its water on the river Nera with three jets of 165 metres. In the III c. BC, the Roman consul Manlio Curio Dentato projected the waterfall's opening to drain the unhealthy grounds of Rieti area. In this park (the first one in Italy for its biological growings), the presence of water was a decisive factor for flora and fauna (trouts, crayfish, kingfisher, water-blackbird), but also for human works, such as Roman bridges, XIX c. water and electric mains, scientific or sports facilities (trekking, canoeing, rafting, horseriding). You can't miss a visit also to: Orsina Tower, whose town center is rich of sculptures by Aurelio De Felice (1915-1996); Arrone and Montefranco, which once were fortresses along Valnerina; Ferentillo and its evident medieval remains, St. Mary's country parish (III c.) and St. Stephen church, whose crypt keeps the famous mummies. Our itinerary ends with a stop to St. Peter in Valle Benedictine Abbey, which represents one of the most important documents of the high-medieval art in the central part of Italy. The abbey was founded in 720 by the duke of Spoleto Faroaldo the Second; it stands where an old hermitage was and, inside, it keeps fabulous frescos (XII and XIII c.) and unique examples of Longobard sculpture.
Subasio Mountain Park- Regional Natural Park of Colfiorito
The regional and protected area of Subasio Mountain was established in 1995 and is 7.500 hectares wide. It is overlooked by Subasio Mountain (1290 m.) and overhangs Assisi. This mountain has the particular shape of a cetacean back and shows different natural environments, which can be divided into three zones: a piedmont one, covered with olive-trees; an intermediate one, with woods of typical trees called "caducifoglie"; a higher part with wide meadows. The park comprises two important Franciscan places: the Hermitage of Prisons and St. Damian. Close to them, a literary park with ten ways was created. Each path is inspired by a verse of The Song of Creatures. Following the streets that go through the whole area, you can also visit abbeys' remains (for instance, St. Silvester Abbey, founded in 1025), small fortified villages (such as the high-medieval Collepino), and castles. If you get over Colfiorito Pass (821 m.), you reach Colfiorito marsh, a meaningful place established in 1995. This upland, infact, is 338 hectares wide and is constituted by seven valleys, which once were lake basins. The marsh is a WWF protected area, because it is both a stopping place for migratory birds and an extraordinary important ecosystem for flora and fauna. The park also preserves important archaeological and paleontologic remains, because it was a busy place already during the Iron Age. The Castle of Monte Orve (X c. BC), the Roman municipality, the Paleo-Christian sanctuary of Plestia and various hermitages are note-worthy.
Natural Regional Park of Cucco Mountain
The park is 10.000 hectares wide and extends from Flaminia, which represents the west limit, till Marchean borders. This is preeminently a mountainous environment, overlooked by the top of Cucco Mountain (1566 m.), and characterized by an extraordinary wealth of vegetation, fauna and geological conformations. This area has a great value, especially for its excursion and speleologic tourism, whose chief destination is the cave of Cucco Mountain. This cave originates from Carsic phenomena and is constituted by underground galleries extended for more than 30 km, that, in certain parts, reach a depth of 945 metres. The park, not so far from Gubbio and Gualdo Tadino, keeps important prooves of the past: pieces of Roman streets' pavement (Scirca), pre-Roman settlements(Scheggia), medieval villages (Costacciaro), hermitages and abbeys, such as St. Mary di Sitria, founded by St. Romualdo at the beginning of the XI c., together with a Romanesque church. Moreover, St. Emiliano and St. Bartolomeo in Congiuntoli abbeys, founded during the Benedictine period. St. Girolamo and "Monte Cucco" hermitages (XI c.). The area is crossed by clearly marked and equipped paths, that are suitable also for equestrian excursion or mountain biking.
STINA Natural Park- Alviano Oasis- River Tevere Park
The park called S.T.I.N.A (Territorial System of Natural and Environmental Interest) is in the south-west part of Umbria and is formed by Meana-Allerona forest and Melonta and St. Venanzo woods; here, you can find badgers, furs, the royal owl, orchids and holm-oaks, paleontologic and archaeological layers. In addition to the natural heritage, there's the beauty of villages: Allerona, Ficulle, Castel Viscardo, Parrano, San Venanzo. If you move eastwards, beyond Orvieto, you reach Alviano Oasis, that is on the homonym artificial lake, carried out for hydroelectrical aims in 1964 after the barrage of Tevere. Since 1990, this oasis is a WWF protected area for its ecosystem and the remarkable presence of water-birds, especially during the migratory period. From this oasis, in north direction and towards Todi, you reach the River Tevere Park, that extends for 50 km. The park follows the river's stream. After a while, you reach a stretch where the river Tevere changes its flow and running, influencing the different species of flora and fauna. Besides the jagged shores of the Lake of Corbara (that formed in consequence of the dam's construction), you can admire many archaeological traces, such as the Umbrian and Etruscan necropolis of Montecchio, the villa in Scoppieto and the Roman harbour at the confluence with the river Paglia, the old villages of Alviano, Baschi and Guardea.
Regional Park of the Lake Trasimeno
For its extension, Trasimeno is the fourth Italian lake (128 square km). This is a laminar lake, which originates from the filling up of a tectonic depression. Its ecosystem is very sensible as the meagre depth, that is from 3,5 to 6,2 m. The park arose to protect the shores, the three isles (Maggiore, Minore, Polvese), the flora and fauna, and especially the numerous fish species. Its shores were already inhabited during the prehistory, as the archaeological finds document. According to the tradition and literary texts, in 217 BC, the battle between the consul Caio Flaminio and Hannibal took place on these shores. In this occasion, the Romans were defeated. Thanks to a 95 km itinerary, it's possible to travel around the lake, passing through interesting villages, that are rich for their traditions, handicraft and old remains: Corciano, Magione, Passignano, Tuoro, Castiglione del Lago. Moreover, if you sail from Passignano or Tuoro, you can go on touristic trips by ferry, or reach Maggiore Isle; whereas Polvese isle can be visited from April to September, leaving from St. Feliciano.
