Nature trail marsh of Colfiorito

At the border between the Marche and Umbria, at the foot of the group M. Nib, extend the so-called Highlands Plestini (or Colfiorito), for the presence of the remains of the ancient Roman city of Plestia, they give to this portion of Umbria reasons of interest related to elements of the historical and archaeological; this is clear testimony of how this was an area settled and shaped by man and his productive activities, for which it took several attempts to reclaim, from Roman times until the last century (remember, for example, the "Barrel of Varano", underground tunnel built by the Da Varano, lords of Camerino, in the fifteenth century, with which the Plan was drained of Colfiorito, until then, which included the old Lacus Plestinus, Lake Plestia).

The highlands are characterized by the presence of large flat areas, referred to as “plans”, that are largely the remains of ancient lakes dried up naturally or by man cleared. They are the tops of Colfiorito, Cesi, Populate, Annifo, Collocroce, Arvella, Ricci and the marsh of Colfiorito and are included between a straight 750 and 790 m about. These Plans on, all tectonic and karstic, are bordered by faults, at which there are a number of sinkholes. During the rainy period (autumn early spring) you can fill with water, that is slowly disposed of through one or more sinkholes, persisted in the middle of them only a few cases, As in the marsh of Colfiorito (temporary karst lakes). Thanks to the special regime of water, on the bottom of the plans has established a vegetation which tends to be arranged in concentric bands in relation to the duration of the period of flooding and depth.

After crossing the pass of Colfiorito, worthy of note is the marsh of Colfiorito, the system most important natural area Regional Park of Colfiorito. Currently on an extended surface 106 hectares lapping part of the National Road 77, the swamp is a few kilometers away from the administrative border that separates the Marches and Umbria, in an area straddling the Apennines near the provinces of Perugia and Macerata. It is located about 752 m s.l.m. and is "the natural ecosystem of the Highlands complex and one of the most significant in Italy", a biotype of considerable environmental interest, whose value, flora-fauna and vegetation that, has been repeatedly recognized and which has made the protection and enhancement over the past year. Remember, between the initiatives in this direction: the inclusion in 1977 Swamp in the list of Wetlands of international, recognized by the Ramsar Convention (Iran), aimed at the protection of habitat for waterfowl; the establishment, with the Regional Law No. 9 of 3 March 1995, Park of Colfiorito; the recognition of an area SPA (Special Protection Area) area and SIC (Site of Community Importance); the inclusion of areas IBA (“Important Bird Areas”).

The marsh occupies the bottom of a depression of tectonic origin, surrounded by mountains and hill-top submontani, including the Monte Orve (926 m), known for the summit which contains the remains of polygonal walls of an ancient fort.

The marsh of Colfiorito is the only remnant of the lakes that once covered the Highlands Plestini; also, the swamp, between all the sub-basins, turns out to be the only one to remain covered by water throughout the year, completely or partially. The supply of water of the marsh is mainly related to atmospheric precipitation and only a small part of the water flowing from some spring; its flow is, instead, mainly come dall'Inghiottitoio Molinaccio, so named because of the presence of an old mill, hours ruin, sinkholes and other minors.

Accessibility

The Nature Trail Colfiorito, is a path that runs next to the marsh is long and about 700/800 m wide and about 1 m; The flooring is composed of a concrete that allows people in wheelchairs without much difficulty following the path. The tables for picnic, placed along the path, do not allow the combination with front-wheel-chair.

The route starts from the road leading to the village of Forcatura and ends near the Molinaccio (name derived from the presence of an old mill).

The slopes encountered along the route are not very difficult, except the last, where there are the remains of the mill, a stretch of about 30 m with a slope of about 8%, with mantle erboso, uneven floor and a step to enter the wooden platform (point of observation).

People arriving by car can park in lay-bys near the beginning and end of the path.