The Woods of Poggio

To the east of the Tiber River rises the mountainous side of the Otricoli territory, a chain of hills and peaks that forms the natural boundary between Umbria and the historic region of Sabina. The highest summits include Monte Cosce (1,114 m), Monte San Pancrazio (1,028 m), Colle di Vasciano (925 m) and Monte Ventatoio (909 m), preceded by a series of lower, forest-covered hills at whose foot lie the hamlets of Calvi and Poggio.

The landscape is quintessentially Umbrian: rolling hills, dense woodlands and peaceful natural surroundings. Far from the bustle of urban life, this area is ideal for hiking, cycling and outdoor exploration. A network of marked trails leads visitors through forests of holm oak, pine and strawberry trees, climbing towards the summit of Monte San Pancrazio, one of the most scenic viewpoints in the region.

Particularly noteworthy is the village of Poggio, perched on a limestone ridge and still enclosed by its original medieval walls. The hill on which it stands dates back to the Pliocene period and preserves outcrops of the so-called Retic formation, considered the oldest geological terrain in Umbria. Rich in fossils of gastropods and branchiopods, it attracted the attention of geologists as early as the nineteenth century and remains a site of considerable scientific interest.

During the summer months, Poggio comes alive as a peaceful hill retreat, appreciated for its cooler climate and panoramic setting. At its base lies the hamlet of Santa Maria, which expanded after the Second World War along the slopes descending towards the Tiber Valley.