Cammino dei Borghi Silenti

The highest point of the trail is Monte Croce di Serra in the Amerini mountains (994 m). It is also possible to ride the trail in 2-3 days on a mountain bike. Don’t worry about bikers and walkers colliding; in the case of narrow paths, the route for hikers and bikers has been split.

After leaving the town of Tenaglie, you’ll walk along some fields before climbing to the castle of Poggio and descending into the town of Guardea. In case you left Tenaglie in the afternoon, you might consider staying the night in town, as you will find all amenities here. After Guardea, a long climb through forests will bring you over the Amerini mountains, after which the trail descends to the tiny village of Santa Restituta, with amazing panoramic views over the valley ahead. After leaving the village, you can either follow the official itinerary or take a bypass that leads directly to Toscolano, which saves you approximately 5 kilometers and 200 meters of climbing. In cases of bad weather or fatigue, it is strongly advised to use the bypass. The last 5 kilometers are the hardest part of the day, climbing to the villages of Toscolano and Melezzole.

The first part of the second stage will lead you up to the highest point of the Camino at Monte Santa Croce. If the weather is clear, you’ll have a stunning 360-degree view over the surrounding area. In case weather conditions are bad and the paths are slippery, it is possible to walk the lower mountain bike itinerary directly to the finish in Morre. Over the hills, through forests of oaks, pines, and chestnut trees, the village of Morruzze is the first silent village you will pass today. From there, it is only a short walk to the village of Morre.

From Morre, the third stage will lead you through the valley and up to Collelungo with its walled historic center, and on to the beautiful, tiny village of Acqualoreto, where you can admire the views over the Tiber valley. Or you can choose to shorten the stage by 5 kilometers and walk directly from Morre to Acqualoreto. After visiting the town, the trail leads down into the thick forests of the Tiber nature reserve, then descends steeply to reach the little Pasquarella monastery, dating back to the 11th century. A stony, steep climb uphill leads to Scoppieto and the next village, Civitella del Lago, situated on a hill overlooking the Corbara reservoir below and the city of Orvieto built on a flat rock in the distance. In case you have some time left, consider paying a visit to the small museum of painted eggs before ending your day with a drink in one of the local bars.

The fourth stage is a welcoming, more relaxed walk, short and with a long descent through the countryside from Civitella del Lago down to the Corbara reservoir, after passing the little hamlet of Cerreto, the 11th silent village, and the Barberani vineyards, where it is possible to take a break for some wine tasting. After a short climb, you’ll reach the cemetery of Baschi. From there, you’ll walk to the village center where the stage ends.

The fifth and last stage will bring you back to the starting point in Tenaglie. After a steep climb out of Morre, you are rewarded with panoramic views while walking the quiet asphalt road leading in the direction of Montecchio. After leaving the asphalt road, you’ll follow the rim of a hill for some time and afterwards descend into the lush valley with excavated Etruscan tombs; a perfect spot to picnic. A long climb will bring you into Montecchio, where you can try your skills at the basket braiding shop of Andreina and Davide, a well-known couple in the area. After another few kilometers, you will reach Tenaglie again. Time to collect your well-deserved certificate!

It is recommended to avoid the hottest months of July and August, when temperatures can reach above 40 C (104 F). In spring, the fields are dotted with wild flowers and blooming fruit trees. Autumn has its own charm as well when the forests are changing colors and people start olive picking in October. In winter, from December to early March, it can snow in the hills, and night temperatures can drop below zero.

The trail is well signposted. If you don’t encounter signs for a while, always go back to the last sign you saw. It’s also helpful to have the GPX downloaded to your device, just in case.

Be prepared for rain showers and bring a raincoat and wear watertight shoes with a good profile to cope with slippery tracks and wet vegetation. Poles may be useful to keep your balance. However, most of the time it will be sunny. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent are essential. In winter, be sure to wear a windproof jacket and cover your head.

It is forbidden to make campfires and to pick fruit from farmland, as well as flowers and chestnuts in the woods along the trail. Occasionally, you may have encounters with local wildlife, such as wild boar, deer, porcupines, foxes, and snakes. In these situations, respect their habitat. The hunting season runs from October to February, and although hunters are aware of the trail, it is safer to avoid hiking during the weekends.

Technically, the walk is not too difficult and very well signposted. You’ll walk predominantly on (stony) paths and some stretches of asphalt road. After rainfall, the paths will be slippery, so good hiking shoes are important. Be sure to take enough water with you, especially in summer, as there are almost no water points in between villages.