Long and suggestive itinerary that winds through woods, sanctuaries, castles and medieval villages in the southern hills of Trasimeno Lake, in the municipalities of Panicale, Paciano and Città della Pieve. The starting point is located near Tavernelle from where you start in the direction of Perugia to climb towards the Sanctuary of Mongiovino and the fortified medieval village of the same name which stands on a hill at 490 m. Its name literally means “Mount sacred to Jupiter” and derives from the cult of this divinity, formerly practiced in this area (this is confirmed by the discovery of an ancient temple). The castle consists of mighty medieval walls dominated by a high tower with Guelph battlements.
Inside it houses a small 14th century church, decorated with frescoes. You then walk along the panoramic ridge that leads near an abandoned farmhouse near the Torraccia or Cimarella, a relief with a characteristic conical shape covered by pines and cypresses, visible from far away. Go down to the right in the shade of the woods towards Passo Buca del Calcinaro, where you come to an intersection made up of six routes.
Take the Vicinale di Scornabecco which crosses a hillside entirely covered by the forest that takes us to Muserale and up to the next intersection in front of the Colle San Paolo church. Go up on the left towards Villa Montesolare and Porta Materna, always remaining on the main road, until you reach the top of the hill near the Castle of Montali.
Go right along a ridge with a breathtaking view of Lake Trasimeno and then descend towards the valley of the Tresa stream until you reach the road that connects Casalini with Panicale. Going along pleasant stretches of paved road, you get to Paciano passing through Le Mura and Colgiordano. It is worth stopping for a while in the village to enjoy its peace and beauty. We then go down to the crossroads for Varacca-Pietreto to immediately tackle a short and very demanding climb that takes us to the ancient houses of Pietreto. Continue towards Moiano along a white road halfway up the coast that crosses very suggestive olive groves.
Once in Moiano, now in the territory of Città della Pieve, turn towards Piegaro. Go along a stretch of road and then turn left to climb along a beautiful dirt road between coppice forests of Turkey oak, downy oak and heather until you reach the top of the hill in Casa Pausillo / Po 'del Vento to reach the Pausillo meadows.
Cross the pine forest, descend along a characteristic bumpy path that descends between two wings of old pines and continue with various ups and downs in the direction of Mt Petrarvella, recognizable in the distance by the tall specimens of Austrian black pine that cover the rounded top. The descent that quickly takes us to Panicale, another village of great beauty that is absolutely worth visiting, is exciting and panoramic. Then, taking the Missiano road, you quickly go back down to the starting point of Tavernelle.
