Umbria – as everyone knows – is a true paradise for lovers of outdoor sports. That is why Città di Castello is an ideal destination for those keen to spend a day out on their mountain bikes.

It is one of the region’s most famous historic centres and a landmark in the Tiber Valley, not least for its monuments. Here you can admire the churches of San Francesco and San Domenico, the Municipal Art Gallery (which also houses masterpieces by Raphael), the Oratory of San Crescentino and the Villa della Montesca.

We leave Città di Castello behind and head towards the Terme di Fontecchio, another iconic destination known for excellence and physical and mental wellbeing. The spa’s architecture was designed by the Perugian architect Guglielmo Calderini, whose portfolio also includes the design of Rome’s Palace of Justice.

The road we encounter is mostly unpaved; shortly afterwards, a climb begins up Mount Penna, where, as reported by Tommaso da Celano, St Francis is said to have received the stigmata. Once we reach kilometre 15.5, the route follows the mountain ridge. This section is not particularly challenging – quite the contrary. You can fully enjoy the wonderful panorama of the Umbrian and Marche landscapes without expending too much energy.

After this brief pause for reflection, we begin our descent towards the valley. We cross a ford, passing through cultivated fields and expanses of sunflowers. After about thirty kilometres, our route brings us back to the starting point.

Places to see along the way include the hamlet of San Giustino, home to the Bufalini family’s castle and the village of Cospaia, and the Sanctuary of Belvedere, where the painting depicting the martyrdom of Saint Vincent by the artist Giovanni Ventura Borghesi is still on display.