THE WATERS OF UMBRIA

Although far from the sea, the Umbria region, nestled in the heart of the Italian peninsula, is a treasure trove of natural beauty and water sources that make the landscape enchanting.

The archaeological, medieval and cultural heritage is the pride of the region, but Umbria is also a land that pulsates with primordial energy thanks to its uncontaminated nature and dazzling beauty. It’s not a coincidence that Umbria is considered the “green” heart of Italy. Enclosed within a one of a kind geography, made up of mountains, lakes, rivers, springs and imposing waterfalls, Umbria is one of the most luscious and evocative areas of the whole peninsula. Yes, Umbria is a region not close to the sea, yet it is extraordinarily rich in bodies of water which vitalizes nature resulting in an amazing and bewitching rainbow of vegetation. Umbria is a region that is not static, but flows between the rocks of its springs and shows travelers its spirit of adventure both in winter and in summer. Umbria is a source of natural springs, a land to be discovered and able to surprise the visitor thanks to an unstoppable vortex of unexpected wonders.

LAKE TRASIMENO: A PICTURE-PERFECT CIRCUMNAVIGATION

Choosing to visit Umbria means stopping off at Lake Trasimeno. Located on the border of Umbria and Tuscany it is the oldest lake in Italy. Here is where the Umbrian and Tuscan cultures merge. An ideal starting point for visiting the enchanting villages that surround it. The Trasimeno is an ideal lake for water sports, from windsurfing to kitesurfing, wakeboarding to sailing, and also water skiing. The choices are endless. For lovers of two wheels, the circumnavigation of Lake Trasimeno, along bike paths and regular roads, is an experience that will create the most beautiful memories. Riding along state, provincial and municipal roads, immerse you in a bucolic adventure discovering villages and catching glimpses of the Trasimeno. Map in hand, proceed from Castiglione del Lago or Passignano and follow a series of thematic itineraries along the perimeter of the lake. It will take a few days to complete the entire route. But it’s totally worth taking the time as every pedal push is filled with vivid enjoyment for body and soul.

FONTI DEL CLITUNNO AND THE SPRINGS OF RASIGLIA: MYSTICAL WATERS

The fun activities in Umbria are extraordinarily intertwined with the spirit of contemplation. The fount of Clitunno, located between Spoleto and Foligno along the Via Flaminia, is a place of beauty and ecstasy without equal. Poets and writers such as Virgil, Pliny the Younger and Byron drew their inspiration from the Umbrian springs, to the point of incorporating them in their writings. Carducci, in particular, made the springs’ characters of one of his most famous “Odi Barbare” (Barbarian Odes). By those waters stands a memorial of the of the Italian poets’ visit to the Fonti. The natural park that extends for about 10,000 square meters, guards the source of the river Clitunno. The river is the master in a game of hues, generated by the cerulean and emerald backdrops, and in the triumph of life expressed by the incredible number of animal and plant species that inhabit the harmonious and placid pools of water. In Rasiglia, a magnificent medieval mountain village, a subdivision of Foligno, the sources of water are magnificent central characters. Visiting the magical streets of the town center, it’s impossible not be enchanted by the waterways that run through the town. Daily life in this extraordinary village is affected by the flow and rhythm of the water. This vital element saturates the character of Rasiglia, and helps trades and ancient traditions, dating back to the 1200s, such as weaving, wool processing and dyeing, flourish again.

TRIPONZO BATHS: MIRACULOUS SPRINGS

The miraculous thermal waters of Triponzo were already well known in Roman times. Their healing powers were such as to gain a mention even in Virgil’s Aeneid. Closed more than thirty years, the Terme dei Bagni di Triponzo, of Cerreto di Spoleto, have recently reopened. These ancestral waters contain sulfur, calcium and other beneficial minerals including magnesium, which have holistic effects that contribute to the balance of body and mind. The spas are surrounded by the green Umbrian woods. In this place you’ll find 18 emerald colored springs of sulphur thermal waters. The water begins its journey in the Sibillini Mountains. As rain falls in the area it channels into rivers and streams and penetrates deeply into the ground. The water encounters the regions porous rock and returns to the surface enriched by materials it picks up from the soil and heated by the vitalizing heat of the Earth.

FISHING IN VALNERINA: FALLING IN LOVE UNDER THE MARMORE WATERFALL

For the aficionados of the noble art of fishing, Umbria is a sort of little paradise on earth. Umbria contains a very high number of waterways that are rich in a wide-range of fish. Without a doubt, the Nera River in Valnerina deserves the title of Environment Prince of the Central Apennines, top sport fishing spot. In these waters, the brown trout swims like a celebrated monarch and is coveted prey. To protect it, the Umbria Region has established a no-kill section on the Nera and Corno rivers. Valnerina is not only for fishing, however. The famed Cascata delle Marmore (Marmore Waterfall) is a must stop. It is the highest waterfall in Italy and among the highest in all of Europe, with a height of approximately 165 meters. At Marmore you can find love in scenery beyond compare. In fact, one of the most captivating scenic views is called the Lovers Balcony. It’s at the end of a path surrounded by greenery where a small tunnel dug into the rock leads to a space akin to a romantic terrace next to the waterfall.