places crossed
villages
The Cammino dei Borghi Silenti is located in the province of Terni and passes through the towns of Montecchio, Guardea, Avigliano Umbro and Baschi. There are 13 villages crossed, all typically Umbrian and with medieval characteristics, with histories that go back well before the year 1000. From the quaint village of Tenaglie, the path skims the castle of Poggio Vecchio dating back to the 7th century. After passing through the village of Guardea, it climbs toward the ridge of the Amerini mountains and then descends into the charming, fairy-tale town of Santa Restituta. The path veers sharply north through Toscolano, Melezzole and then again Morruzze, Morre, Collelungo, Acqualoreto, to descend to the hermitage of Pasquarella, next to the fascinating Forello gorges carved by the waters of the Tiber River. It then climbs to Scoppieto and Civitella del Lago, a breathtaking terrace overlooking the Corbara basin, Mount Peglia and the hills of Orvieto. Back on the western side of the route, you descend to Cerreto and the village of Baschi, with its characteristic historic center still intact. It then climbs again, almost at the end of the path to Montecchio, recently decreed as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, after passing through the Umbrian-Etruscan necropolis of San Lorenzo. The walk concludes by returning to Tenaglie not before enjoying the view of Ancajani Palace, historic residence of the lords who ruled the places in ancient times.
The path
The walking route is about 90 km long and is mainly on dirt roads, mountain paths and some short sections of secondary paved roads. The Cammino dei Borghi Silenti is traced as a loop and revolves around Mount Croce di Serra, the highest point in the Amerini Mountains with its almost 1,000 meters in height; it is necessary to carefully follow the yellow-colored signs, as per the legend, as the trail runs through large uninhabited sections with long passages through the woods.