The Parco del Monte Subasio is the mountain system which takes its name from the mountain of the same name, `perhaps the most famous of Umbria, which stands almost isolated at the southern end of the chain `limiting, to est, Valle Umbra and dominated by his 1290 l `m high hill and valley wide landscape. The Park has borders defined by the course of Tesco in North, from the river to the east and Chiona, in the south-west by a line that connects the two spurs of the massif Monte Subasio on which stand Assisi and Spello and running parallel to the Valle Umbra. From the morphological point of view-the `territorial element that distinguishes this area is, available for the fact, the Monte Subasio, perhaps the most famous mountain in the region, elliptical in shape and orientation n.o. / S.It is., that comes as a relief to the Valle Umbra isolated from, with a rounded profile “the back of a turtle”, the dominant `broad valley and surrounding hilly landscape. Along the ridge of Mont Subasio, distinguish some isolated peaks including the most important are, from North to South, the Monte Subasio (1290 m), the Mount Civitelle (1280 m) and The Sermolla (1191 m). In addition to stand the extreme north-western Colle San Rufino (1110 m) and south-east, the Our Lady of Spella (978 m); further south, separated from the valley of Ditch Renar, Mount Pietrolungo (914 m).

The most important geomorphological feature is the presence of karst features that characterize the `flat area with the formation of collapse dolines also called “Mortari” the “Was” dolines and flat. Separates and connects with the Mount, as a natural setting, centers historic Assisi, Spello, Valtopina and Nocera Umbra as a unifying element of the landscape. History, nature and culture blend in Subasio and Assisi, whose core is in the historic Park, it is the natural gateway.

The Subasio is “Monte de Assisio” because Assisi and its mountain live each other in a sort of symbiosis, through the centuries, has been strengthened and deep-rooted. `The entire historic center of Assisi lies in the Park and characterizes the natural, historical and cultural values, so that `s Natural Protected Area may be called, either, “Park of Assisi”. The city, built with pink stone taken from Mount Subasio and has a balance of geo-morphological and value wildlife and vegetation determined, first, `be from Mount Assisi drew from which each resource: from stone and timber products to the pasture. The Canticle of the Creatures is an extraordinary document of admiration and love for nature and Mount Subasio, with possible references to the Song, is also a suitable place to establish a literary park that can take the lead in the verses of the holy friar of Assisi.

The activity field of teaching in `Park of Mount Subasio is carried out by the association GUMP (Umbro Group Mineral and Paleontological) and State Forestry. With guided tours GUMP is attached to the Permanent Exhibition at the Laboratory of Ecological geopalaeontological set up at the park headquarters; to visit the Laboratory, apply classroom lessons or excursions you should contact the person responsible for teaching.

The nature trail is wheelchair accessible from the street above LHermitage of the Carceri `Bolsella (2,5 km) with slopes ranging from 2% to the 12%. The toilet is not accessible. It is possible to follow a path which starts on the left after a few km `Hermitage, at the height of a hairpin right uphill. Along the route there are several picnic areas where make pleasant stops before arriving at a location, The Banditelle, where there is a seat of the local mountain community, current state of restructuring to make it fully accessible for disabled; after you come to a dirt road that, left, leads to Valtopina, Destra, back towards Collepino and Spello. Both of the paths are a good 4X4, otherwise there is a transport service and assistance provided by the Mountain Community and the Red Cross of Spello and Assisi.

Source of pictures: www.regione.umbria.it (Photo:M. Tortoioli)