What to do

THERMAL BATHS

Triponzo thermal baths are only 10 minutes away. Go enjoy the powerful and energising effects of water and its natural treatments.

RIVERBOARDING

Valnerina with its mix of watercourses and mountains is the perfect location for outdoor activities such as riverboarding. Riverboarding is a boardsport where you can swim down the watercourse while lying on a board. Helmets, wetsuits, life jackets and fins are all the equipment you need to enjoy this exciting sport.

CLIMBING

Ferentillo and Arrone, both in Valnerina, are two places where climbing has become one of the most practiced and loved sports, even at night! You could free climb with the aid of a safety rope or get a lesson from the Precetto di Ferentillo free climbing school that has gyms both outdoors (i.e. natural rock faces that have been specifically equipped) and indoors. Ferentillo cliff is among climbers’ favourites!

KAYAKING

In Valnerina you can experience kayaking at all levels of proficiency. There are certain sections of the Nera river where the water streams down slowly and you can canoe while enjoying the view and others that are only suitable to the most skilled of canoeists with rapids and slaloms.

CANYONING

Valnerina is the perfect place to try canyoning, a fun activity where you jump, swim and climb ropes following the course of the stream among its falls and natural pools. The routes are varied: from the short and easy Forra di Roccagelli, perfect for younger people as well, to the more exciting Forra del Casco or the adventurous and long Forra di Pago le Fosse.

HORSE TREKKING

An exciting and intense way of exploring the surroundings is by horse trekking. After a few hours out and about Umbria’s countryside you might just need a bit of refreshment. Leave from the horse trekking centre through paths in the woods and end your tour in a small village in Valnerina where a delicious lunch of local products will be waiting for you.

STROLL AROUND WITH DONKEYS

Strolling around the Valnerina with donkeys might be the perfect experience for children and their families. Donkeys are very docile and easy to mount thus making them the perfect animal to take you around these marvellous views.

FLYING IN A HOT-AIR BALLOON

Imagine what it must feel like seeing Umbria’s woods, medieval little towns and olive trees from up above, in a hot-air balloon flying in the sky. We can only tell you it’s incredible!

MOUNTAIN BIKE

There are plenty of different routes to explore here in Umbria on the seat of a mountain bike. Whether is a cycle lane or a path through the woods you will be astonished by breathtaking views.

TREKKING WITH MULES

In Norcia you can experience trekking with mules. Mule trekking is slow-paced and allows you to fully enjoy your surroundings without worrying about carrying weights that the mules will carry for you. These trekking routes take days to complete and they pass through woods, villages, valleys and mountains thus taking you through the beautiful paths of the old transhumance. Children can join in if mounting donkeys instead of mules.

LEARNING ABOUT SAFFRON

Come to Valnerina and discover its lilac gold: saffron! Learn how to identify it, learn to love it, but most importantly… taste it! Enjoy a day outdoor and find out all there is to know about this spice. You’d be surprised by what you might learn. You’ll be told about its history and origins and different usages among different cultures as well as its qualities that our ancestors already knew well. This experience will end with a tasting of both saffron and other local products. For a younger audience the history of saffron will be dramatised.

MARMORE FALLS

Marmore Falls can be found in a natural park in Valnerina. It is a man-made waterfall and it is one the highest in Europe where water pours only at certain times during the day. There are two entrances (Belvedere Inferiore and Belvedere Superiore) that are connected through a panoramic pathway as well as six others routes.

In summer Marmore Falls can be visited at night as well thanks to led lights that perfectly complement the beauty of the Falls. The waterfalls are also perfect for all those who enjoy outdoor water activities such as kayaking, rafting, riverboarding and so forth.

ADVENTURE PARKS

There are two different adventure parks that adults can enjoy as much their children: Scheggino’s Activo Park in Valnerina and Nahar Adventure Park in Arrone.
The former one has all kinds of fun from archery to cars and climbing. It also has barbecue and picnic areas where you can relax with your family. The latter has mainly climbing routes and other adventurous paths among trees. You might also enjoy the visit to the nearby teaching farm where you’ll meet alpacas, goats and cows or to nearest local restaurant.

PIEDILUCO LAKE

Piediluco Lake is named after the picturesque Piediluco medieval village. It is very evocative and is surrounded by elevations and woods, the most famous being the cone-shaped Eco mountain. Legend has it that this mountain can reverberate a hendecasyllable perfectly thus earning the name of Eco mountain.
Many different water sports can be practiced in the lake where international rowing competitions are also held.
It is a main attraction especially in summer when the Water Festival takes place and decked-out boats stream through the lake at night surrounded by lights and fireworks.
Music is also a big part of the charm of Piediluco Lake with outdoor jazz concerts and violin and piano recitals being hosted there.

CASCIA

Cascia is the hometown of Santa Rita whose statue will welcome you into town. The Basilica is indeed the main attraction and pilgrims from all over the world come to Cascia to enjoy its beauty. The monastery that can be found next to the Basilica holds old relics of the Santa. If spirituality is not your cup of tea, make sure to visit the town for its delicious food: saffron, truffle, legumes such as the roveja (a small pea-like legume which has been renowned with the slow food presidium) and many more.

Several events are also held in Cascia. To find out more about them, please check our “Events” section.

PILATO LAKE

If you like adventure and nature, go to Pilato Lake in Valnerina. Legends and mysteries surround this lake, believed to be haven for witches and necromancers as well as the home of Sibyl. If mysticism and mystery are right up your alley then this is the place for you!

MUSEO DELLA CANAPA

Si contano almeno trenta musei umbri che sono esclusivamente dedicati al tema del tessile o che possiedono nelle loro collezioni manufatti in tessuto, pizzo, merletti, così come paramenti sacri, abiti, costumi e accessori. Le arti tessili attraversano trasversalmente le epoche e i territori e tramandano abilità e saperi e testimoniano in modo evidente la vita quotidiana e le cerimonie pubbliche, l’economia domestica e il commercio di lusso, i riti sacri e quelli civili. Il museo della canapa, sito proprio a Santa Anatolia di Narco, oltre a custodire il patrimonio culturale della lavorazione della canapa, offre esperienze formative, educative, mostre, seminari, laboratori, visite guidate. Il museo è un luogo di incontro, scambio di pratiche e trasmissione di competenze, in cui il progetto tessile, fulcro dell’esperienza didattica, costruisce opportunità di dialogo tra istituzioni, nuove generazioni di professionisti museali, detentori della tradizione e apprendisti tessitori.

RASIGLIA

Rasiglia is a small village that will make you feel part of a fairytale. With its ponds and streams around the whole village, you’ll feel like time has stopped in Rasiglia that counts only forty inhabitants throughout the year. It also has a long and rich history of quality craftsmanship such as weaving and dyeing which can be witnessed by looking at the old looms still in town.

Spoleto Norcia in MTB

Spoleto Norcia (september)

The Spoleto Norcia in MTB is the perfect experience for biking and nature lovers. This event is held on the first days of September and attracts thousands of athletes (but not exclusive to) every year. It offers the opportunity to choose between four different tracks (varying in difficulty) so that everyone can choose the path that best suits their abilities! If you are not equipped with a bike, you can still participate by taking advantage of the Spoleto Norcia Rental bike service that offers different models such as MTB, E-MTB, City Bike, urban bike and touristic bike. This route is characterized by its "Spoleto Norcia old railway"! It is defined as a masterpiece in railway engineering and was created to connect the area of Norcia and the nearby Marche with Spoleto and Terni. This trail, also called the "Gottardo dell'Umbria", is 51 km long with 19 tunnels and 24 bridges. The trail, between Spoleto and the River Nera Valley, is made up of slopes up to 45 with stretch up to 1000. The uniqueness of this challenging trail makes this the perfect experience for those who want to test themselves and be one with nature!

THE FLOWERING OF CASTELLUCCIO DI NORCIA (MAY-JULY)

In the warmer months the slopes of Castelluccio di Norcia witness the Flowering, where the green meadows change into a breathtakingly beautiful range of colours that go from yellow to purple. This natural event can be witnessed, in its different stages, between the months of May and July.

FERENTILLO – “THE ROCCHE TELL”

“The Rocche tell” is a medieval reenactment that takes place in Ferentillo on the second half of August. Fourteen living paintings are acted out by the villagers to recount the history of the village through the centuries.

BENEDICTINE CELEBRATIONS – Norcia (March 21st, July 11th)

The Benedictine celebrations are celebrated in Norcia on two different occasions: the anniversary of Saint Benedict’s death (March 21st) and on Saint Benedict’s day (July 11th). A pivotal moment of these two events is the carrying of the Benedictine Flame, symbol of peace and brotherhood.

SAFFRON MARKET SHOW – Cascia (October)

In October, Cascia holds a market show entirely dedicated to saffron, a spice that has been present in our territory since the Middle Ages but whose cultivation has only recently been picked up again.

FESTIVAL OF THE TWO WORLDS – SPOLETO FESTIVAL

This music and opera festival is held in Spoleto every year between June and July, usually lasting seventeen days totally. Its first edition dates back to 1958 and the town of Spoleto was chosen as the perfect location for European and American culture to encounter one another thus giving this event the name of “Two Worlds festival”. Although this partnership with the counterpart US festival lasted only fifteen years, the spirit of Spoleto Festival is unchanged to this day.

FROM BONFIRES TO PASQUARELLE – NATIVITIES’ EXHIBITION IN CASCIA (December – January)

In Cascia, at Christmas time, you can visit the exhibition of Nativities. You can find Nativities of all kinds and materials: from ice to pasta, from bread to glass or cloth. This festival ends with a series of events, the main one being the “Pasquarelle festival” where traditional old songs are sung to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the New Year.

INFIORATA – Spello (June)

In June, Spello’s pavements are covered up with floral paintings with religious motifs. The event takes place in June, during the feast of the Corpus Domini and is called “Infiorata”. The most important moment is the Night of the Flowers, between the Saturday and Sunday of the Corpus Domini, when people of all ages work together to create the flower pictures which will be on display along the streets of the town.

Dolci d’Italia

Spoleto (october- november)

Dolci d'Italia is an event that is held every year in the historic center of Spoleto between late October and early November. This event is dedicated to Italian pastries and deserts in order to promote the vast Italian confectionery traditions, with opportunities to indulge in tastings! Within this festival you can learn all the chef's secrets, thanks to Sweet Academy, and purchase any confectionery products that make your taste buds dance! Cake design workshops, itineraries, themed activities for children, musical performances and so much more! For four days, Spoleto is the place to be for an exciting journey through the typical Italian delicacies! If you have a sweet tooth for the world of bakery, we’ll see you there!

BLACK TRUFFLE MARKET EXHIBITION (February – March)

“Nero Norcia” is an exposition where Valnerina’s local products are showcased with a strong emphasis on “Pregiato” black truffle. If you are a foodie then make sure to check it out!

BLACK DIAMOND – Scheggino (April)

In Scheggino there is a festival where once again the protagonist is the famous Umbrian black truffle: the Black Diamond Festival.

BENEDICTINE CELEBRATIONS

FIOR DI CACIO – Vallo di Nera (June)

Vallo di Nera turns into the capital town of cheese (“cacio”) with an event entirely dedicated to cheeses of all kinds and tastes. The main event is surely the presentation of the” Maxi Ricotta”.