MTB 08 - Corciano and the woods of Monte Malbe - Bike in Umbria

MTB 08 - Corciano and the woods of Monte Malbe

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Positive height difference : +490
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Negative height difference : -490
The route starts from the carpark just outside the walls of Corciano. From here, the trail descends towards Ellera. At the next crossroads (km 1.3), it turns left towards Umbertide and continues to descend. It then goes straight ahead to km 6.4 where it turns right at the roundabout into a dirt road. Later, it returns to the paved road and turns left at km 7.7 towards Capocavallo, and starts to climb, becoming a dirt road after about a kilometre.
The uphill road goes to the Capuccini convent (km 11.5), where an easy, enjoyable single track leads out of the woods to the start of another uphill stretch on dirt road. After a series of rather tough climbs and descents, the trail arrives at Colle della Trinità, the highest point of the route. It then enters the Colle della Trinità Park before descending the sealed road back to Corciano. After the SP 172 turnoff, it is only one gentle kilometre uphill back to the starting point.
The small medieval village of Corciano (photo below) is characterised by a labyrinth of streets, alleys, towers and steps within its high surrounding walls. In the centre of the village it is worth seeing the tower of Porta S. Maria, piazza Coragino, where there is a nice 16th century well, the town hall and the palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, the parish church of S. Maria Assunta, which contains a painting of the Assumption by Perugino (1513) and the Gonfalone by Benedetto Bonfigli painted in 1472. A kilometre from Corciano, it is worth visiting Castello di Pieve del Vescovo, a square, fortified castle with an inner courtyard and four corner towers. It was built around the 13th century, but was transformed into a noble residence between 1560 and 1570. The woodlands at Monte Malbe, rising above the village of Corciano, are an excellent place to enjoy views of Monte Tezio and Perugia. The walled villages of San Mariano, Solomeo, Chiugiana, Mantignana, Miginana and Capocavallo, all just a few kilometres from each other, have kept their original aspect and are worth a visit.

Monte Malbe

Monte Malbe

Vista sul Monte Tezio

Vista su Perugia