Stage 6 – from Amelia to Orte - Cammini d'Umbria

An easy stage with little positive elevation gain, yet highly interesting from both a naturalistic and an archaeological point of view.

The route leaves through Porta Romana and follows Via Primo Maggio as far as the Grotto of Lourdes, in the locality of Montenero. It then continues along the ridge road, where remains of the ancient Roman route can be seen, before beginning the descent towards the valley floor. The ruins of an ancient Roman funerary mausoleum herald the ford across the Rio Grande. Shortly afterwards, in the area known as Solfatare, there are several pools characterised by sulphurous emissions. The route then continues along the right bank of the Rio; near an old watermill, a rest area for pilgrims has been set up. It goes on until reaching the provincial road to Orte, which is left a few hundred metres later by turning right before the bridge. The unpaved track leads to the confluence of the Rio and the Tiber, where, a little further on, it is possible to visit the archaeological excavations of the ancient river port of Ameria.

The route then continues until rejoining the provincial road, only to leave it again shortly afterwards along a dirt track descending towards the Tiber. After a short while, and once past the underpass beneath the Autostrada del Sole, the route reaches the provincial road coming from Amelia; turning right, it crosses the Tiber and climbs up to Orte.