If you like to get out into the Umbrian wilderness, you should absolutely pay a visit to the Riserva Naturale di Monte Rufeno. With its 3.000 hectares around the slopes of the Monte Rufeno mountain, it is truly a great place for walking, mountain biking and horse riding, while discovering all sorts of wild life.

Parts of the Monte Rufeno reserve coincide with the Francigena way, a pilgrim trail that leads down from Siena to Rome.

Also starting and running throughout the Reserve is “Il Sentiero del briganti” or the Road of Brigands, 60 miles of path leading across the country. This is somewhat more challenging, but well within the scope of the determined walker or mountain biker. Make sure you study the local guidebooks or visit the Tourist office  before taking off for a day excursion along the ancient routes.

Alongside the natural reserve of Monte Rufeno, lies Villalba, an area of 25 hectares of woodland at 750 metres above sea level offering shelter huts, pick nicking facilities and marked footpaths for walkers.

The abundant and mature woodland that covers most of the Villalba and Monte Rufeno area is home to a large number of plant and animal species, some of which are rare. Deer and muntjacks, endemic to this area of Italy, inhabit the area in relatively large quantities.