Umbria: multicolored Umbria

Arrival at Spoleto train station and transfer of about 20 minutes to the Equestrian Center (transfers from Perugia airport on request). Accommodation in the center, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast, assignment of the horses and soft start with a trek of about 3 hours to give all riders the opportunity to get to know and become familiar with their horses. We'll descend from the plateau where the riding school is located through the chestnut woods of Valle San Martino.
You'll have time to admire the sumptuous centuries-old trees whose gnarled trunks have provided chestnuts for many generations of locals and discover the wild cyclamens and other flowers that grow in the woods.
There are several parts of the trail perfect for a gentle gallop, for those who are able, before letting our horses' hooves ring through the picturesque village of Strettura.
On the way back, we'll encounter the church of San Pietro Martire, a small chapel located in the middle of nowhere, still used by some of the faithful from the surrounding villages. Return to the stables in time for lunch. Free afternoon, dinner and overnight stay at the equestrian center.

Today the day will be more challenging but very enjoyable; the terrain and landscapes are varied along the 35 km that we will cover in the saddle in about 5/6 hours.
Through winding paths in the woods, we'll reach the small village of Torrecola, before meeting a lovely stone church and heading towards some wider paths.
It's now time to start the long but gentle climb to Monte Fionchi, a huge mountain meadow on top of a 1300 mt high mountain, where riders can refresh themselves drinking fresh spring water.
A tasty picnic will be served in a meadow near another of the many country churches that populate Umbria, the Church of Sant'Antonio.
The return trip will take us through the wild and breathtaking landscape of the Valnerina, passing through abandoned villages clinging to the sides of the mountains or nestled in the hills, until we reach the stables.
Dinner and overnight stay at the equestrian center.

Today's trek is less demanding in terms of duration and variety of terrain, but there will be no lack of opportunities for more experienced riders who want to gallop and not even truly spectacular views.
From the stables we will head towards the medieval village of Montebibico, through the chestnut groves that surround it, where time seems to stand still.
From there, a series of paths, which pass by small farmhouses, head gently towards the foot of Mount Acetella, today's destination.
Along these paths there are many opportunities to gallop comfortably, without forgetting to stop and enjoy the wonderful views.
You can see in the distance the peaks of the highest massifs, the stables and the village of Montebibico, nestled in the mountain in front. We will then climb to the top of Mount Acetella, a short climb and again stunning scenery, on what seems like the roof of the world.
We'll be back to the stables again via other trails by lunchtime. Afternoon free, dinner and overnight stay at the equestrian center.

Pianella is the destination of today's excursion which will take us out for the whole day on a trek of about 5-6 hours (for a total of 35 km), a corner of paradise in the heart of the Umbrian countryside.
Along the way, we'll ride through the woods and along the paths that will take us down into a hidden valley where we'll stop to admire the lovely village of Castagnacupa, whose stone houses have been recently restored.
From here we'll pass by a wonderful Romanesque church and through more woods, before reaching a nice shady meadow, where, having stabled our horses, we'll stop to eat, sitting on wooden tables and benches, specially designed for those who wish to have a picnic.
After lunch we'll head towards the ancient village of Pompagnano, near Spoleto, and then we'll head back along hilly paths, not without having admired the splendid village of Catinelli, which stands on a rocky massif. Return to the stables in the late afternoon, dinner and overnight stay.

Today a half-day trek that will take us through a magnificent property called "La Tenuta dello Schioppo", but commonly known as Il Parco delle Farfalle.
The wide paths we encounter are perfect for speeding up our pace and in every direction we can enjoy the beautiful view of mountains, valleys and villages nestled in the hills.
In a clearing we will find a rustic table made by hunters from the wood of local chestnut trees and this will be the place where we will stop for an aperitif.
In the months of May and June, these woods are carpeted with wild strawberries.
Back to the stables, free afternoon that can be used to enjoy the relaxation or to visit Spoleto and its surroundings (for those who are not self-employed we can organize transfers - extra charge).

Last day in the saddle for what can be considered a pilgrimage to the now uninhabited Monastery of Battiferro, for a total of about 5 hours in the saddle, which will allow us to cover about 35 km.
Leaving the stables behind us, we'll cross the village of Montebibico and continue along paths and mule tracks until we reach the mountain village of Cecalocco, and, still through vast chestnut groves, the small village of Battiferro, still inhabited despite its isolated location.
A path through the woods will lead us to the monastery, situated on a promontory with a magnificent view of the Valnerina.
Here we will stop to enjoy a well-deserved packed lunch, before returning to the stables through a different route, where an aperitif will be waiting for us. Dinner and overnight stay at the equestrian center.

Breakfast and transfer to the train station in Spoleto.