Despite having been almost exclusively a destination for pilgrimages and spiritual journeys for centuries, Assisi also offers a wide range of alternative activities that can be enjoyed both inside and outside of the city walls. An often overlooked feature is that the district of Assisi is part of Mount Subasio’s National Park, a beautiful and full-featured park where nature blooms in all its glory. If you like trekking and excursions, well… you are in luck! A myriad of well marked, walkable paths winding throughout the whole surface of Mount Subasio will lead you to the discovery of the park’s most beautiful secrets. A number of “rocks” or “cliffs” such as Sasso Piano (Flat Rock) or Sasso Rosso (Red Rock), geological formations that surface from the scrub drawing a beautiful landscape overlooking the valley, sprout from the south slope of the mountain. From the mountaintop, 1290 metres (42,000 ft) above sea level, you can enjoy a spectacular 360° view that frames the whole ridge of the Umbro-Marchigiano Apennines and, on a clear day, one can see it stretching southwards up to the sumptuous Gran Sasso. Just take short walk from there and reach one of the most astonishing attractions of the region: the Mortari, Giant chasms of karstic origin spreading throughout the whole summit, that dive into the core of the mountain up to 60 metres (200 ft). Also known as dolinas, were once believed to be the dormant mouths of a primordial volcano. The Mortaro Grande has a diameter of 260 metres (850 ft). With a little bit of dedication and good legs one can easily reach the bottom for a very unique experience, beware of vertigo though!
Keep following those very paths to find the remains of the old abbeys and churches that were once shelter to monks and solitary hermits: the Abbey of S. Benedetto al Subasio and Eremo delle carceri are most popular of the lot. If you are tired you can take a break and grab a bite in one of the tiny medieval villages secluded in the woods, such as Collepino, Armenzano or Costa di Trex. A little farther downhill, you can take a splash in river Tescio or, if you are feeling adventurous, embark on an exciting canyoning session at Forra del Ponte Marchetto with a specialised tour guide.
If you are interested and have some time to spare, why not following Saint Francis’ footsteps along the Via di Francesco, a fascinating and thrilling path which leads north towards the mystical sanctuary La Verna, in Tuscany, and south towards Rome. You can also do it on foot or by bicycle, just remember that it will take some time.
If you are not a fan of walking you can explore the park on the back of a horse and, if you’re still yearning for excitement, how about reaching for the skies and gaze upon the valley of Assisi from from a paraglider?