Exit the city towards what has become one of Italy’s best known panoramic views and just walk through the Umbrian countryside, passing by convents, through woods, along ancient Etruscan roads, springs and fascinating ancient towns rich in art treasures.

An excursion suitable for all ages and all seasons.

ITINERARY

time: 4 hrs 20 mins

ascent/descent: + 320 / - 220

difficulty: E

signals: "4F' white and red signs and boards – partly missing

suitable season: all year round

features: along local roads, country lanes or dirt tracks, and through a large sections of woodland.


Exit Orvieto from Porta Maggiore, the city’s oldest and major gateway, and immediately take the small road market with metal arrows that leads downwards to ponte di Rio Chiaro, also known as ponte del Sole.

At this point take the busy Umbro-casentinese main road until you reach Via del Tamburino, an ancient road that leads directly uphill and which still has some of the original pavings visible in sections. After passing the Orvieto cemetery on your right, continue upwards until you reach a turning at 334 metres above sea level.

Leave the Etruscan road at this point and turn to the right, following the road until you reach Trinità and the "La Torretta" restaurant.

At this point you should take the dirt track that runs through the wood known as Macchia dei Frati and leads to the hamlet of Sugano, a 14th century fortified village known for the abundance of natural water springs. The parish church contains a statue of St Lucy by Ippolito Scalza.

Turn right off the road that leads into the centre of the village and continue past a public washing fountain around the village, past the turning for Fraschetta until you reach the Tione mineral water springs at 380 metres above sea level.

From here a dirt track leads upwards to the castle of San Quirico and to a change of scenery, with broad views across an upland.

From San Quirico, take the old strada comunale through farmland and woods until you reach the Rupe di Rocca Ripesena. From here the road leads past the podere Sossogna and the Rocca Orvieto farmhouse residence to the hamlet of Rocca Ripesena at 368 metres above sea level, which looks out over a volcanic cliff from where you can catch public transport back to Orvieto (Rocca Ripesena—Orvieto bus leaves at 2:15pm).

Alternatively you can walk downwards along the road until you reach Sferracavallo (roughly 3 kilometres away).




INFO:

IAT Ufficio informazioni turistiche dell'Orvietano
Piazza Duomo - 05018 ORVIETO
tel. 0763341772

Comunità Montana Monte Peglia e Selva di Meana
Via Principe Umberto, 17 - 05010 SAN VENANZO
tel. 075875323
Via delle Pertiche b - 05018 ORVIETO
tel. 0763340038

Comune di Orvieto
tel. 07633061

Autostazione - informazioni linee bus ATC
tel. 0763301314