Immerse yourself in “ViViamo il Trasimeno,” the Festival dei Cammini 2026, which until October 11 offers five weekends rich with events dedicated to discovering the territory, environmental sustainability, and a form of tourism capable of enhancing landscapes, history, culture, and traditions.
Walking and cycling routes, outdoor activities, and opportunities for gathering and reflection to discover or rediscover the charm of Trasimeno and, at the same time, promote good practices linked to slow tourism, even during periods of low season and smaller crowds.
Six entities organize the initiative: the cultural association “L’Olivo e la Ginestra,” the Castiglione del Lago sports group “Filippide,” the Italian association “Via Romea Germanica,” the UISP Umbria Regional, the association “I Borghi più belli d’Italia,” and the mountain-bike group “ASD MTB” from Castiglione del Lago.
To collaborate and promote the festival are the Union of Municipalities of Trasimeno and the municipalities of Castiglione del Lago, Città della Pieve, Magione, Paciano, Panicale, Passignano sul Trasimeno, Piegaro and Tuoro sul Trasimeno, together with the GAL Trasimeno Orvietano.
On Foot in the Footsteps of Perugino
The first event guides participants to discover landscapes linked to Pietro Vannucci, the Perugino: until Tuesday, September 22, the “Walks along the Perugino trails” are scheduled, curated by the association “L’Olivo e la Ginestra.”
Five stages, totaling 103 kilometers, along a dense network of secondary roads and country trails, with an itinerary that starts and ends in Panicale to seek out the landscapes depicted by the famous artist.
After starting on September 18 at 9:00 from Panicale, with an afternoon arrival in Fontignano, on Saturday the 19th the route resumes at 9:00 from Fontignano to reach Castiglion Fosco. On Sunday 20, the path goes from Castiglion Fosco to Piegaro, while Monday the 21st the departure is set from Piegaro at 9:00, with arrival in Città della Pieve in the afternoon.
The last stage, Tuesday, September 22, will depart from Città della Pieve, from the historic Palazzo Fargna, seat of the Pievese town hall, to return to Panicale.
In Castiglione del Lago, the Festival Encounters Cycling
The weekend of September 19 and 20 brings to Castiglione del Lago a two-day program dedicated to cycling, walking, and culture.
On Saturday the 19th, at 5:00 PM, Palazzo della Corgna will host activities tied to the “Cicloturistica dei Borghi più belli d’Italia” and the reenactment of the “Pedalata Rosa of 1995.” The event will also provide an opportunity to visit the exhibition set up in the palace, featuring photographic panels, documents from the event, and clothing and accessories once worn by the cyclists.
A conference will follow dedicated to the relationship between walking routes, territory, tourism, sport, and territorial marketing, with participants including representatives from regional and local institutions, the Federciclismo, Bike Hospitality, and the relevant categories, along with local and national press and the RCS group. Among the guests is also planned the extraordinary participation of the Russian Evgenij Berzin, winner of the Giro d’Italia in 1994 and runner-up in 1995.
The day will conclude with the awarding of some of the individuals who contributed to the 1995 event.
Sunday the 20th will instead mark the XIV edition of the “Cicloturistica dei Borghi più belli d’Italia,” organized by “ASD Cicli Matè”: from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM participants will start and finish in Castiglione del Lago, also crossing Tuoro sul Trasimeno, Passignano sul Trasimeno, Magione, and Panicale.
There are two routes: one of 70 kilometers, designed for all cycling enthusiasts, and one of 118 kilometers, aimed at those seeking a more demanding challenge.
Between the Chiusi and Montepulciano Lakes, Walks and Sport
Also on Sunday, September 20, the festival moves to the border between Umbria and Tuscany, in the area of the Chiusi and Montepulciano lakes, where ASD GS Filippide proposes a day dedicated to running activities and three different walks.
It begins early, at 6:00, with a 29-kilometer walk around the Chiusi and Montepulciano lakes. At 8:30 AM the 16-kilometer route around Lake Chiusi will depart, while at 9:30 AM the 8-kilometer walk will take place, enriched by a visit to the famous towers “Beccati Questo” and “Beccati Quest’altro,” tied to the region’s history for more than seven centuries.
The two towers tell an ancient chapter of the rivalry between Siena and Perugia: the Torre Beccati Questo was built by the Sienese in the valley floor, while the Torre Beccati Quest’altro, also known as Torre Beccati Quello, was erected by the Perugians in a commanding position opposite the first.
The first tower was built in 1279 by the Guelfs, after a victory over the Ghibellines, as a symbol of their domination over the marshy border areas between Siena and Perugia. A few years later, the Perugians answered by constructing the second tower. Despite the names with a deliberately mocking tone, the two buildings were not used as true defensive or military structures but rather served as toll stations, where passage duties were collected.
For the more seasoned runners, finally, there is the traditional 18.5-kilometer race, with start and finish at the Lake Chiusi at 9:30 and a route passing through the Vaiano hamlet of Castiglione del Lago.
