Technical Sheet
Starting and finishing point: Acquasparta
Distance: 29.5 km.
Total ascent: 350 metres
Grade: easy
Road surface: asphalt
Recommended type of bike: road or hybrid
Places to visit in the area: Acquasparta, Avigliano Umbro, Montecastrilli, the Fossil Forest at Dunarobba.
Route 7 starts from the centre of Acquasparta, an ancient town built on the ruins of the Roman settlement of Carsulae, and moves off across the winding hills towards Montecastrilli (see ‘photo above) and Avigliano Umbro.
It is an easy ride across softly rolling, peaceful countryside, with no real climbs involved, and is thus perfect for inexperienced cyclists who fancy a relaxing day’s ride.
The ride begins in Viale Roma, just outside of Acquasparta town centre, and from here you ride in the direction of Montecastrilli, along a slightly uphill section of road, for about 5 kilometres, taking you to Castel Todino.
Turn right here towards Collesecco, and less than one kilometre further on, turn left onto the SP81, in the direction of Avigliano Umbro and Dunarobba. This is the most panoramic part of the route, running as it does along a ridge affording splendid views of the surrounding countryside.
Continue following the signs to Avigliano Umbro, and at km. 10 you come to the Dunarobba Fossil Forest on your left: this is one of the most important palaeontological sites in the world, with fossilised tree trunks dating from three million years ago.
From here, carry on towards the village of Dunarobba, and once past the village, turn left towards Avigliano Umbro, where you may like to have a short rest before continuing on your journey.
From Avigliano Umbro, follow the signs to Farnetta and the sports ground, cross the centre of the village, and then turn right and ride downhill towards the junction with the SP82; when you reach the junction, turn left towards Farnetta and Montecastrilli.
Continue riding along through the countryside until you get to Montecastrilli at km. 20.5: from this medieval village you continue in the direction of Acquasparta, which marks the beginning of an undulating section of the ride which goes slightly uphill until you get to Castelo Todino (km. 23.5).
Continue following the signs for Acquasparta, which you get to after riding along a further six kilometres of undulating section, slightly downhill, at which point you can get something to eat and drink in the delightful town centre of Acquasparta.
Things not to miss
The most important building in the centre of Acquasparta, a town built on the ruins of the ancient Roman Carsulae, is Palazzo Cesi, a splendid Renaissance construction resigned by the architect Gian Domenico Bianchi. Other buildings of interest include the church of San Francesco (1294), the church of Santa Cecilia, patron saint of Acquasparta, containing the tomb of Prince Federico Cesi, the church of the Madonna of the Lily (or of the Cross), built in 1606, and the church of the Sacrament (1684).
Visitors to Dunarobba can see the Renaissance Fortress, and above all the Fossil Forest, a site of considerable naturalistic and scientific interest, boasting fossilised trunks 3 million years old, considered one of the most important palaeontological sites in the world.
The small walled town of Montecastrilli, with its Amerina and Medieval Gates, is also worth visiting.
In the vicinity of Acquasparta, other places worth a visit include the medieval town of San Gemini, and the ancient Roman archaeological site of Carsulae, situated between San Gemini and Terni.
