Walks,wildflowers and wildlife
Il Nido is part of a small farm and olive grove (Podere valle Pulcini) on the edge of a large oak forest.
The oak forest has a number of marked walking trails that have been cleared and are now sign posted by the Mountain Community Organisation. (Comunita Montana)
The trails are well marked and there are excellent maps.
We do ask walkers to take a bottle of water with them, a chocolate bar or similar, and their mobile phones. Please wear sturdy walking shoes or boots particularly in summer.
Above is a typical sign showing destination, distance, time and the identification number of the paths.
A section of the walking map showing Montegabbione, Castel di Fiori etc. The coloured lines represent the walking trails. Our farm - Pod. Valle Pulcini - is shown on the trail numbered 8a
A short walk from Il Nido.
The track takes you to the top of the hill and includes a visit to tombs uncovered in the ruins of a Lombard chapel dating from about 800 AD and further along the ridge the battlements of an Iron Age fort estimated to be constructed in the period 1000 to 2000 BC.
Perugino's dog investigates!
The 8th century Lombard tombs.
Longer walks
One walk takes you through the gorge to Montegabbione. Another along the path of an old road (perhaps Roman?) to Montegiove and beyond.
The path to Montegiove and Monterale
The walkers' calendar
April - May
A great time for walking and wildflowers. The wildflowers are found in open fields not in the forest as it is dense coppiced oak. They are found on the abandoned fields such as parts of Podere valle Pulcini, on the forest edge and on roadsides and under olive trees.
June
The exciting wildlife events in June are the nightingales (although they are also singing before June) and the fireflies. The coppiced oak forest is an ideal habitat for the nightingale and June is usually the best month to hear their song. The fireflies make a stunning display at night.
Late June - early July
This is the time for butterflies and moths.
July - August
Generally considered to be too hot for energetic walking but evening or early morning walks to sites near Il Nido are pleasant. As we are 550 metres high it is cool at night.
September - October
Good walking weather.
November through to March
There are plenty of cold but clear days that are good for walking. November and December are open for hunting wild boar and walkers must avoid days or periods when hunters have put out signs of their presence. Many roads in hills nearby are pleasant for walking during this period and rarely are affected by hunting.