Pietralunga

The Umbria Region has identified, according to the European Project Nature 2000, some important naturalistic sites inside the Forest of Pietralunga. They have become protected areas in order to preserve specific wildlife habitats. They are:
1. the woods in Pietralunga, 1,500 hectares in surface, preserved since 1987, including the oasis for the protection of the fauna in Varrea, parts of woods with beech trees and turkey oaks and the highly interesting habitats with Apennine wolves.
2. the woods in the Rosso and Sodolungo mountains, 2,600 hectares in surface, with the presence of phytocoenoses typical in the marnoso-arenacea reliefs (well preserved turkey oaks woods) and of the presence of rare faunistic species such as the skunk, the buzzard, the kestrel, the woodpecker.
3. the Oasis for the protection of the fauna in Candeleto, that covers a naturalistic area of 1,000 hectares in surface, inside the areas of the Carpina and Carpinella Valleys. The peak of the place, Monte Croce, is covered with large black pine forests , while the slopes are alternatively covered by oak trees, pastures, grades, that offer safe shelters and abundant food to the varied and rich wild fauna typical of this place: foxes, wild boars, deers etc.
The forest of Pietralunga presents an articulated web of naturalistic tracks. They are all marked and described in printed maps so that it is possible to choose among walks of various length and difficulty across areas, that will leave an unforgettable memory of the Umbro-Marchesan wildlife.