By Paola Butera
Photo by Daniele Amoni
Gualdo Tadino is characterized by a landscape that is a true natural jewel, with woods, pine forests and large flowering meadows that create truly evocative scenery, surrounded by spectacular peaks. Valsorda is the most famous area of the Gualdo mountains: here you can do everything, from hiking to trekking, passing through horseback riding, cross-country skiing, mountain biking and even gliding.
It can be easily reached via a provincial road that starts from Rocca Flea and climbs for about 1000 meters. The name “Valsorda” derives from the absence of echoes and is nestled between Monte Serrasanta and Monte Maggio, within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a protected area that is part of the Natura 2000 Network, established by the European Union for the conservation of biodiversity. Today, there are four huts where hikers can stop to sleep or eat, as well as a campsite and restaurant. In addition, a camper area is operational, equipped by the Municipality with 12 pitches and services. From this beautiful valley there are ancient paths and tracks that can also be traveled by mountain bike or on horseback, perfect for enjoying the unspoiled landscape of the Umbrian-Marche Apennines. Here there is a network of paths of various levels of difficulty that cross woods, meadows and panoramic passages that leave speechless those who love walking in nature and taking unforgettable photographs. From Valsorda you can also climb to Monte Serrasanta and visit the Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity: a small medieval church built on the ruins of an ancient Benedictine hermitage, a truly evocative place to find yourself and admire the valley below.
And like every year for five years now, Valsorda hosts the most important musical event in the area: Suoni Controvento. This event combines music and nature in a sustainable way, making you discover the natural beauty around the Umbrian villages through emotions to be experienced step by step. In recent years, artists such as Ludovico, Einaudi, Fiorella Mannoia, Carmen Consoli and Daniele Silvestri have played here; this year it will be no less with the historic Italian progressive rock band PFM (Premiata Forneria Marconi). Appointment therefore on August 9 in the magical natural scenery of the Valsorda plateau for a stage of the “Doppia Traccia” tour, as part of the Suoni Controvento festival promoted by AUCMA and MEA Concerti together with the Municipality of Gualdo Tadino. The concert will have a special format divided into two parts: in the first part the band’s most famous songs will be proposed while in the second part there will be a tribute to Fabrizio De André with unforgettable pieces taken from their historic tribute to Faber.
The Mayor Massimiliano Presciutti and the Councilor for Culture Gabriele Bazzucchi are enthusiastic about hosting the Premiata Forneria Marconi in Valsorda because they know that it will give strong emotions with a live show of the highest artistic level perfectly inserted in the enchanting natural setting of the Gualdo mountains. The municipal administration thus successfully continues the collaboration with the Umbrian Association of Songwriting to bring events such as Suoni Controvento to the city that focus on sustainability: concerts, dance and artistic shows immersed in nature without impacting the environment but rather integrating perfectly with it creating a unique mix of beauty and refinement. In short, there are many reasons to visit Valsorda: whether you want to do outdoor sports, admire breathtaking natural landscapes or simply enjoy a special musical event… There really is something for everyone here!
Info: Municipality of Gualdo Tadino / Piazza martiri della Libertà, 4 / Tel 075 915021 / turismo@tadino.it / www.tadino.it