Hiking Santa Scolastica

• total distance: 25 km
• vertical descent: 550 m

Discover the surroundings of Norcia through a walk that looks back to the past in an area that has been characterized by a great territorial development. The walk to Santa Scolastica is the hike that leads you to discover the valley where the city rises, which represents the western limit of the Monti Sibillini National Park.

The tour takes place on the perimeter of what was once a large lake and, during the hike, we will have the opportunity to stop at some points where there are important element of the territories: farms, impressive trees (including a centuries-old oak, probably the oldest in Umbria) and the natural area of the "marcite" (which is a grassfield covered in a thin layer of water), artificially created over 1000 years ago.

During the visit of the town won't be possible to miss a taste of the typical "norcineria", namely, the production of cured meats of the area. To this point, you will have the chance to learn about:

• Shepherding: we will visit a company that produces ovine cheese
• Land ecology: local plots and civic uses
• The farm: how agriculture is carried out nowadays
• The environment: how it has changed following the earthquake, centuries-old plants, streams that appear and disappear, the area of the Marcite optimized by the Benedictine monks and its micro-habitat.

During the visit of local production facilities, a local food tasting experience is included and you will be able to buy products if you wish.