Technical Sheet
Start and arrival: Orvieto
Distance: 40,5 km
Height difference: 1000 metres
Difficulty: hard
Surface: 45% dirt, 55% sealing
Da vedere in zona: Orvieto, Corbara, Lago di Corbara, Monte Peglia
This route starts from the parking area in front of the cable car, near the railway station, that goes from Orvieto Scalo to the centre of Orvieto, so it represents a good choice for train+bike combinations.
The trail is quite regular, because it has no particularly difficult or rough stretches, but it is classified hard because of its length (40km) and two rather tough climbs.
The route goes through the beautiful town of Orvieto but is mainly through the Tiber River Park(Parco Fluviale del Tevere), and the beautiful natural scenery between lake Corbara (photo on left) and the the thick woods that cover the slopes of Monte Peglia.
Starting from the parking area at the cable car station, the trail goes through the subway under the motorway towards Ciconia. At the first roundabout, it continues ahead for Monte Peglia, then turns right towards Corbara at km1,3. After a few hills and dales up to km 5,5, where it turns left along a well-beaten dirt road, the first real climb begins, giving lovely views of Orvieto. The climb ends at km 9,4, then turns right down a quick descent that ends at the sealed road at km 13.
Here it turns left, goes past the village of Corbara , and along the lakeside for several kilometres.
The trail only returns to dirt road at km19,3, where it turns left and tackles the second climb along the way, whose first few uphill stretches are the hardest part of the ride.
This is the prettiest and most interesting part of the route, which reaches the uninhabited village of Osa at km 21 (photo on right). From here, it climbs gently through the woods, providing truly incomparable views of the area. It returns to sealed road at km 26, turns left, and arrives at Colonnetta after about 3 kilometres, where it starts to descend. It leaves the sealed road at km 29,7 and goes down a steep dirt road that rapidly reaches the valley. The descent has a few stretches of sealed road and one or two short, tough climbs. At some places along the road it is possible to see Orvieto and the outline of the Duomo, so it is worth stopping to enjoy the view before returning to the starting point.
At the end of the descent, following the signposts for Orvieto, the trail returns to its starting point in less than 2 kilometres.
Things not to miss
Above all, the historical centre of Orvieto and its fascinating underground world, a real labyrinth of holes, tunnels, cisterns, wells, quarries and cellars.
Then, enjoy lake Corbara and its infinite natural beauties such as the Gole del Forello, where the Tiber has carved wonderful scenery through the gorge’s high limestone cliffs.
Don’t miss the thick woods and wonderful views from the hills of central Umbria, especially from the slopes of Monte Peglia, where there is a splendid panorama of the whole region.
