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NATURE
The landscapes of the Valtiberina need to be experienced
calmly, to view the natural beauties and the historical monuments
which characterise the area. The best way is to go trekking, both
short walks which fit anyone and longer excursions for well-trained.
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An
excellent alternative to trekking are the excursions on the horse-back
which are enhanced by the many horse-trails, with 12 itineraries designed
for horse-back riding. An interesting itinerary goes to the Lake of
Montedoglio or della Madonnuccia, along the main road and easily reached
thanks to the numerous exits. The best thing is to reach the lake
by the old provincial road, a winding road but a road which passes
all the most beautiful villages in the area. Close to the lake, you
should stop at the Benedictine Abbey Succastelli, founded in the 11th
century, probably on the ruins of a more ancient buildings. Among
the many paths through the Valtiberina, we would like to suggest three
of the most interesting and easiest ones, to the Alpe di Catenaia,
the Alpe della Luna and to the Sasso di Simone. The Alpe di Catenaia,
called the greenest part of the Valtiberina, represents the watershed
between the Tiber and the Arno and features many tracks, among which
we can mention the one that connects the lake Lago Trasimeno with
the Santuario Francescano della Verna, at the slopes of the Casentino.
The Alpe della Luna is the name of a part which is uncontaminated
and can be explored by taking one of the trails departing from Sansepolcro,
Sestino and Badia Tedalda, with different length and difficulty. Do
not miss the view over the two imposing calcareous blocks of the Sasso
di Simone and the Simoncello which guard Tuscany, Marche and Romagna.
The huge spurs surrounded by beech forests are located in an area
plotted with numerous paths leading to the top of the blocks where
you find the remains of a Benedictine abbey from the 12th century.
Both the Malatesta family and the Medici family tried to build a fortified
town there, from which you only find some ruins and a complex system
of cisterns which surrounds the calcareous masses. The excellent offer
of horse-back trails allows you to discover all the most beautiful
parts of the Valtiberina, with different difficulties but all very
suggestive. Most of them go along the border to Casentino: from Vialla
you reach Bagni di Cetica crossing the ridge of Pratomagno, from where
you have one of the most majestic views in the central part of Italy,
from here you continue to Ponticelli, passing Consuma and falterona.
Looking over the river Arno, from Ponticelli you descend to Tramonte,
where the horse-trail departs towards Archiano, the village where
Dante featured the story of Bonconte da Montefeltro, reaching Casanova.
From Tramonti you have another trail which passes Badia Prataglia,
at the slopes of the Casentino, and reaches Gualanciole from where
you have a marvellous view over the Valtiberina and the Casentino.
You find many different horse-tracks in the area around Casina Birraia,
Vialla, Gualancione and Cocchiola, from where the road to the calcareous
mountain of Sasso di Simone starts. From Violino you cross the valley
of the Tiber, touching Santa Fiora in the tufa area in order to turn
towards CapreseMichelangelo and entering the Alpe Catenaria. Almost
all the horse-trails are connected to each other and features many
shelter called "refugi" which allow the most experienced
visitors to organise a two or three-days excursion. The maps at the
tourist information point indicates the itineraries, the difficulties,
the presence of narrow and dangerous passes, trails which are hard
to find and if you have to pass through busy roads with the horse.
The less experienced riders can follow the guides from the Guide Ambientali
Equestri who knows the area perfectly and can provide both experienced
and skilled guides.
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