Gratis gids 10 verborgen natuurplekken in Europa
Gratis gids 10 verborgen natuurplekken in Europa. Meld je aan voor onze nieuwsbrief en ontvang inspirerende reistips en routes voor je volgende groene reis.
Umbria
The Italians themselves call it *il cuore verde*: the green heart. And that’s true. Umbria is the only region on the Italian mainland without a coastline and without large cities that demand attention. What remains: hills covered in olive groves, medieval villages that have stood on their rocky outcrops for centuries, forests with truffles buried beneath the soil, and Lake Trasimeno. The largest lake in central Italy, surrounded by reed beds teeming with birds and villages that easily earn the title of “most beautiful in Italy.”
Umbria borders Tuscany but feels more peaceful, greener, and less crowded. The Via di Francesco takes you on foot from monastery to monastery through the heart of the region. The strade bianche are ideal for gravel biking. And in the spring and fall, you’ll have this landscape largely to yourself.
Nature Travel Lab maps out Umbria, featuring hiking and biking trails and small-scale accommodations that you can book direct with the owner.
All about nature in Italy
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The most beautiful regions for nature lovers
South Tyrol
Tuscany
Abruzzo
Piedmont
Valle d'Aosta
Sardinia
Sicily
Umbria
Molise
Le Marche
Veneto
Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
Liguria
Trentino
Puglia
Lake Como
Lake Garda
Lazio
Emilia-Romagna
Campania
Basilicata
Small-scale nature stays Italy
Choose your favorite region and discover our tips for the best small-scale Nature stays with a sustainable focus. You book directly with the owner, so you are guaranteed the lowest price.
Special accommodation in Italian nature
Find unique small-scale Nature stays in Italy. From glamping to luxury boutique hotel and from B&B to vacation home or agriturismo. They are all special and different, but they all have an eye for sustainability.
Our sustainability criteria for overnight stays
Using these sustainability icons, you can easily see in what area an overnight stay is active with its sustainability policy.
Zero footprint
Architecture
sustainable/local construction
Food
organic/local cuisine
Social
family/local runned/social projects
Wellbeing
Sauna/yoga/wellness/treatments
Surroundings
Environment/recycling
Choose your region
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Tuscany
Valle d’Aosta
Piedmont
Basilicata
Puglia
Campania
Veneto
Lombardy
Lombardy
Lake Garda
South Tyrol
Sardinia
Emilia-Romagna
Umbria
Le Marche
Trentino
Abruzzo
Liguria
Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
Lazio
Nature in Umbria
The natural landscape in Umbria feels immediately different from that of many other parts of Italy. This region is located in the heart of the country and is often called the green heart of Italy —and for good reason. You won’t find the sea here, but you will find a landscape of rolling hills, forests, olive groves, river valleys, mountainous areas, and tranquil country roads. Precisely because Umbria has remained so rural and green, traveling here feels peaceful and authentic. It’s a region where nature and culture truly blend together: a medieval village perched on a hill, an abbey nestled among the trees, or a lake that suddenly appears amid the fields.
If you look beyond just Assisi or Perugia, you’ll discover that Umbria has a surprising amount of protected natural areas. These include the Monti Sibillini National Park and seven regional parks, such as Monte Cucco, Monte Subasio, Lake Trasimeno, the Nera River Park, and the Tiber River Park. The Marmore Falls are also among the region’s best-known natural attractions: an impressive waterfall in the Valnerina that is considered one of Italy’s most famous. As a result, Umbria appeals not only to lovers of beautiful vistas but also to travelers who enjoy hiking, birdwatching, driving mountain routes, or simply experiencing the tranquility of the countryside.
What makes Umbria such a compelling nature destination for me is its laid-back atmosphere. Here, it’s less about checking off highlights and more about traveling at a leisurely pace: a drive through the rolling hills, a picnic by the lake, a walk through a chestnut forest, or an afternoon in a quiet village where life still moves at a slow pace. That’s exactly why nature in Umbria leaves such a lasting impression. The landscape isn’t spectacular in any one way, but rather rich in variety, silence, and detail. And that’s what makes the region so appealing to travelers who want to experience Italy in a greener, quieter, and more authentic way.
Hiking and Biking in Umbria
Hiking and biking in Umbria are a perfect fit for the region’s character. The mix of hills, valleys, medieval villages, and nature reserves makes the region ideal for an active vacation without it having to be extreme or strenuous. Here, you can walk through forests and along pilgrimage routes, but just as easily past olive groves, fields, and small mountain villages where you can stop for coffee or lunch along the way.
Hikers have a remarkably wide range of options, thanks to the combination of medieval villages, nature, fresh air, and the varied landscape of mountains and plains. In addition, pilgrimage routes and multi-day trails play a major role here, such as the Via Lauretana and other historic hiking trails. For shorter day hikes, you can explore places like the Tiber River Park, the areas around Norcia and Castelluccio, and other green areas of the region. This makes hiking in Umbria appealing to both recreational hikers and travelers who enjoy spending a few consecutive days on the trail.
Cycling in Umbria is also surprisingly diverse. There are cycleways with marked bike paths and routes for every type of cyclist, from beginners to experienced riders. A great example is the connection between the Tiber Bike Route and the Assisi-Spoleto Bike Route, which together cover a distance of about 200 kilometers from north to south through Umbria, all the way to the Marmore Falls. In addition, there are separate routes for road cyclists and mountain bikers, with scenery that constantly shifts between villages, hills, parks, and open vistas. That is precisely why hiking and biking in Umbria are such great ways to truly experience the region: slowly, actively, and with a keen eye for everything that lies between the well-known sights.
Where to Stay in Umbria
Unique accommodations in Umbria are all about atmosphere and location. This region is ideal for small-scale rural stays: an agriturismo nestled among olive trees, a guesthouse in an old country house, an apartment built of natural stone, or a place to stay near a historic village. These accommodations are often located in the countryside, surrounded by protected natural areas, and feature a park or garden, a swimming pool, bike rentals, or direct sales of local and organic products.
For Nature Travel Lab, this fits perfectly with the kind of places that suit the region. A good example is Casamassima Country Relais, just 5 kilometers from Perugia, nestled in the heart of the Umbrian countryside. This property features four suites and one luxury room, a swimming pool, and massage services, and is specifically designed for hiking and biking. It feels like the kind of place where you spend the day exploring the region and then return in peace and quiet to an estate steeped in history, with plenty of space and stunning views. Especially for a region like Umbria, where Slow travel works so well, this is exactly the kind of place to stay.
Agriturismo Sant’Angelo is also an attractive option as a peaceful base for exploring southern Umbria. This organic agriturismo is officially located on the border of Lazio, Tuscany, and Umbria, featuring four apartments, its own wine and olive oil, and excellent opportunities for day trips to destinations such as Orvieto, Lake Trasimeno, Perugia, and Assisi. This makes it a great fit for travelers who want to combine Umbria with neighboring regions but prefer to stay in a green, small-scale, and rural setting. Staying in Umbria is all about tranquility, character, and an experience that brings you closer to the landscape—not about crowds or large resorts, but about places with personality.
“Nature is our greatest ally and inspiration.”
– Sir David Attenborough
Special spots in nature
We select the nicest accommodations with all a focus on sustainability policies. Think luxury Treehouses in the middle of nature or a boutique hotel in the countryside. Sustainability categories range from organic cuisine and mindfull focus to waste separation and zero-waist policy.
Luxury overnight stay in nature
The accommodations all have something unique and of course a location in or near nature. Spending the night in nature does not always mean sleeping in a tent. Find special and luxurious nature stays for your active vacation or just for your slow travel experience.
Comfortable overnight stay in nature
The overnight focus on sustainability policy gives attention to comfort and quality.
They often use their own vegetable garden or local cuisine. Much attention is paid to the quality of the accommodation, the environment and the guest.