(Top banner: Photo Courtesy by Agri Segretum Collazzone)
Start | Collazzone |
Arrive | Collazzone |
Distance | 30 km |
Height difference | From Collazzone to Torgiano, 470 meters ascent, 720 meters descent ; From Torgiano to Collazzone, 720 meters ascent, 470 meters descent |
Difficulty | Intermediate; long route, smooth but very hilly |
Ground | paved, off-road |
Recommended bike | MTB, gravel |
Duration | Approximately 8 hours by foot and 2.5 hours by bike |
Suitable for | Suitable for practiced hikers and cyclists with some training |
The excursion starts from the central Piazza Umberto I in Collazzone (PG). Taking the asphalted road Via della Fiera downhill, descend until you reach Via Collazzone, from where you can admire the gentle hills of woods and vineyards that make up the countryside of the nearby town of Gualdo Cattaneo. Continue on for about 500 meters, turn left on a dirt road in the middle of the woods and then continue descending for about 4 km where you will find the remains of an ancient mill known as the Mulino delle Botte. Now completely in ruins, this mill is located upon the road that runs alongside the very small River Puglia, near the junction for the town of Gaglietole. Architecturally, the building is made up of a body with an almost square base and a small extension alongside. The perimeter walls are built in river stone mixed with brick.
After passing the remains of the ancient mill, continue on the dirt road Strada Gaglietolese in the middle of the woods until you arrive near the Abbazia Collemedio Resort, in the vicinity of the hamlet of Collepepe. Continue straight on downhill, on the asphalted road, Strada dell'Osteria, crossing over the main road SP415 and continuing left onto the dirt road, Strada Esterna del Molino, which leads to Strada Esterna della Fornace.
This route offers a panoramic view of the Tiber River, the town of Deruta and beyond as far as Lake Trasimeno and the fortresses that overlook it. After passing the small hamlet of Ripabianca (Deruta), continue passing through Vocabolo Caprareccia, and then on the right pass through Vocabolo Montecchio. Now continue downhill on the asphalted road, Strada Esterna Vicinale del Macchione, approaching the village of Deruta, where, passing onto a dirt road in the middle of the fields, take Via del Palazzone arriving at and crossing over the main road SP419. Continue on to reach the green/cycle path of the Tiber River.
Follow along this green/cycle path for about 4 km, with the river to your left, and then take Via Francescana near the bridge and continue straight on SP400 towards Torgiano. After passing the Church of San Lorenzo and the Church of the Crucifix, cross the bridge, Ponterosciano to reach, on the left, Via dei Mulini in the direction of the River Park of the Tiber and Chiascio rivers. From here you can easily reach the historic center of Torgiano and the Baglioni Tower.
Once in Torgiano, the return to Collazzone is expected by following the path backwards, except for the last stretch near Collazzone where, near the remains of the ancient mill, continue right on the dirt road until reaching the road Strada Gaglietolese in the middle of the woods. Follow this dirt road uphill until you reach Via Jacopone da Todi and rejoin the asphalt road Via dell’Abbazia where you pass by the convent of San Lorenzo. Here you may visit the crypt of Jacopone da Todi. After the Monastery, continue straight on Via dell'Abbazia to return to the historic center of Collazzone from Viale Marconi, passing by the mural entitled, "Mother Nature". Located on the wall of the public parking area in Viale Marconi, this mural is a work of street art, created by a group of local artists. Visually striking, the mural is made up of a series of bright colors and two halves that are divided by the central face of a crying woman who is understood as a depiction of Mother Nature. On the left side is a family sitting at the table, their faces replaced by mere skulls. Adjacent, against the background of burnt hills, a farmer with a gas mask walks by. A building is visible with the classic undulated shape of the asbestos roofs that are still present in large quantities in this territory, and the predominant color is bright red.
You may return to the starting point of Piazza Umberto I by continuing on Viale Marconi and turning right on Viale Cesare Battisti.
To see in Collazzone:
- Abbazia di San Lorenzo e la cripta di Jacopone da Todi
- Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo
- Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Lorenzo
To see in Torgiano: