Marzana ring route
This is an 8km route suitable also for less-experienced hikers, who can enjoy a full day nature-trip and discover unspoiled places. The route is quite easy to walk: 8km on the border between Umbria and Tuscany, a ring crossing a wild and mainly uninhabited area, covered by extensive chestnut woods and overlooked by the ancient tower of Marzana, erected in the fifteenth century. It is a ring route among secular woods and lush green meadows: The Marzana route crosses the remains of ancient villages now abandoned and leads to the summits of Mt. Favalto. Total distance is 8km, with a difference in height of 600m: The itinerary starts from Osteria, descends to Roceto in the Valley of Locco and, making a left on the foothills, reaches Favalto da piedi (964m) first, then Favalto di mezzo (1023m) and finally Locco da sommo (930m). The route does bring you to the top of Mt. Favalto (1082m) but there is a short diversion, with the possibility of descending to the Pass of Dogana and Arezzo. On a clear day, from Favalto you can enjoy a view extending to the summits of the Transimeno area. Back on track, walk to north east to the crests of Poggio del Locco, from where you can make a diversion on the right to the tower of Marzana and then, after a couple ok kilometers, back to Osteria. From here, you can visit the so-called ghost town of Marzana, a few hundred meters on the right. This town of Roman origin was inhabited until the 50’s and lived on farming, as testified by an important cattle fair which used to be held here. What is left today is just a few houses in ruins and the whole place has a typical ghost-town atmosphere. It is possible to follow route 1A (to Locco da sommo and da piedi) and the “Italy Trail” marked by red and white signposts placed on trees or milestones. The whole area is covered by chestnut woods and forests of oak and fir. The dense undergrowth consists of broom, bracken and heather. Delicious edible mushrooms abound in the area: ovules, russula and porcini. Wild roses can also be seen along the route. Wildlife thrives with a number of wild boars, deers, badgers, porcupines, squirrels, kestrels, buzzards, white throats, finches, woodcock and other migratory birds.