Umbria is the land of medieval villages, castles, and fortresses, but also of forests, dirt roads, and olive groves, to be discovered on foot, by bicycle, running, or easy walks.
In September, Umbria became the district of en plein air experiences, with stable and accessible activities and routes, on foot or by bicycle, to families With children and young people, to mountain bikers, to those who are looking for competitive experiences, but also to those who much more simply decided to discover the richness of this region by walking or cycling, pausing to admire views, tasting a glass of wine and the other local products directly in the places of production. Closing out this month dedicated to the outdoors is the Umbria Crossing Outdoor Festival in Bettona (Pg ) to be held Sept. 24-26, 2021.
L’Umbria Crossing Outdoor Festival is a major sporting event that combines trail running, mountain biking and hiking and will affect the village of Bettona (Pg), one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, which is part of the “Umbria of the two valleys – crossroads of experience” the new project of Integrated tourism involving the territories of Torgiano, Bettona, Cannara and Collazzone through the creation of a territorial network of experiences and itineraries to be traveled on foot and by bicycle, which aim to enhance the rich heritage of artistic, cultural, eno-gastronomic, folkloric, environmental, landscape, and artisan excellence and attractions of the villages involved.
Trail and Mountain Biking
Two highlight activities of theUmbria Crossing Outdoor Festival: Saturday, September 25 the fourth edition of Bettona Crossing, trail and ultratrail race, of 20 and 50KM, presented by Hoka One One, which will develop almost entirely along trails, dirt roads, single track with views that open unexpectedly over the Umbrian valley. Top mountain running specialists at the start, representing all Italian regions. A true multi-sensory experience. On Sunday 26 , on the other hand, it will be the mountain bike race, Bettona Etruscan Extreme 75.3, a major Mtb Granfondo, starring among the woods surrounding the Borgo di Bettona. 50 and 70KM of pure adrenaline, technical descents and climbs will test the endurance of the committed athletes. At the start “elite” athletes representing the most important Italian teams (For more information and registration: The Perugino Running Club, tel. 335.6247018 – https://www.umbriacrossing.com/ ).
The Treks
Completing the weekend program will be activities such as. Pilates among the Olive Trees, a kid’s village for children, a forum on healthy living, guided tours of the village of Bettona and other outdoor initiatives such as the two Trekking organized by the “I Tuoi Cammini” Association: Saturday, September 25 at 10 a.m. is scheduled for a light trek tra the hills of the town of Bettona, in the heart of the Martani Mountains. A loop hike that will start from the historic center of the village, from the Cloister of San Crispolto, to reach the source of Mount Lauro, skirting small waterfalls in the woods and then ascending through shady paths until we reach the Cinque Cerri from where, descending along white roads and paths through woods consisting mainly of holm oak, arbutus, heather, turkey oak and maple we will return to the village. Sunday, September 26. 10 a.m, will be the turn of a more challenging trekking, on a loop route that will start from the Cloister of San Crispolto and crossing the village and the paths in the woods and among the olive trees, will reach the Malandruge area, up to the Abbey of St. Anthony, a monastery built in 1502 by the Franciscan Friars over the remains of a fortress used as a hospital for the poor, from which there is a beautiful panoramic view of the walls of the village of Bettona, but also on the cities of Perugia, Assisi, Spello.
For more information and reservations: I Tuoi Cammini Tel. 335 6468058 – ituoicammini@gmail.com – www.ituoicammini.com ).
