Trekking on Monte Cucco: discover the park of wonders

Two classic nature-themed trekking itineraries, among the most beautiful in the park, will lead you to discover an ancient area of extraordinary beauty.

1st day
Arrival in the early afternoon at the medieval village of Costacciaro.
Welcome and meeting with the guide who will accompany you to discover the historic centre and the ancient oil mill*.
Accommodation in the Park Hostel, the rooms have private bathrooms.
Dinner at the village inn with typical Umbrian specialities. Overnight stay.
*On request it is possible to visit the Naturalistic Museum of the Park.

2nd day
Breakfast in the hostel.
Meeting with excursion guide.
By own means we reach the starting point of the trekking route in the upper valley of Rio Freddo.
We cross the "Mother of Beeches" wood, where imposing and centuries-old beeches, with their characteristic and majestic roots, are the undisputed lords of the place.
At the "Fonte dell'Acqua Fredda" spring we stop to quench our thirst. From the rocky walls of the "Passo del Lupo" you can look out over the sheer walls of the Forra di Rio Freddo, one of the most enjoyable canyoning routes in Umbria.
In the meadow of Pian delle Macinare, a depression of karstic origin, we stop for lunch at the refuge.

Loop route, length 8 km; difference in height 500 m; duration 5 hours excluding stops; difficulty: excursionist (CAI classification). Return to the hostel and overnight stay.

3rd day
Breakfast in the hostel.
Meeting with the hiking guide. By your own means you reach the starting point of the trail that will take you to the summit of Monte Cucco.
The path leads you to the discovery of spectacular views through an ancient territory: along the way it will not be difficult to find ammonite fossils.
The summit of Monte Cucco (1566 m) offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the central Apennines. On clear days you can make out the outlines of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga, the Sibillini chain, Monte Terminillo, the Monte Conero Riviera and the Adriatic beaches, to the north the Casentino and Falterona mountains, as far as the Perugia hills, Lake Trasimeno and Monte Argentario.

Loop route, length 6.5 km; difference in altitude 370 m; duration 4 hours excluding stops; difficulty: excursion (CAI classification).

To take part in the excursions, normal physical preparation for mountain excursions lasting 5/6 hours excluding breaks is required.
People with obvious difficulties or physical impediments, or with precarious health conditions, cannot participate.