Historical contextualisation

In the winter of 1943-1944, many young people sought refuge in the woods to avoid being called up for military service or labour by the new Italian Social Republic and its German allies. In the northern part of the municipality, around Castelguelfo, the refugees from Città di Castello began to gather. In January 1944, the nucleus, centred on a few charismatic personalities, moved to a house near the summit of Montebello. In a democratic election, the first in their young lives, the boys chose Livio Della Ragione as their commander. In this area, the relationship with the peasant families was close and vital, especially with the Valentini family of the Valdiscura farm, who supported the partisans in every way.

The band left Montebello during the roundup in May 1944, when the house was partly burnt down by the Germans; they returned at the end of May and stayed there until the demobilisation of the San Faustino Brigade with the passage of the front. From the path it is also possible to see Colleantico, where the “Fastigi” detachment of the 5th Garibaldi was stationed, and the Serra di Burano, where the Band of Morena operated.

Naturalistic and environmental context

The route winds its way through the typical landscape of the Pietralunga area, with deep valleys and steep slopes, now covered by mixed deciduous woods dominated by coppice. In this area we are very close to the Apennines, in particular to Mount Nerone and the system of greenhouses that precede it. Along the route you will find mainly Quercuus cerris, Quercuus pubescens, Ostrya carpinofolia, Fraxinus ornus and Acer campestre, Acer opalus, Acer pseudoplatanus, etc.).), as well as a few examples of beech (Fagus sylvatica), which has found its habitat in the favourable microclimate of its northern exposure.

Route description

Having parked the car at the junction between the Pietralunga-Apecchio SP and the SI, near Monte Castellaccio, turn right along the cart track (Sentiero Italia). At the crossroads (0.5km), turn right and go downhill between the two concrete ‘trunks’. Continue downhill through the wood and at the junction with the dirt road (1km) turn right, leaving the SI and following the road which continues downhill.

From here you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Apennine chain, with Monte Nerone, the twin peaks of Monte Catria and a splendid view of Montebello and Valdiscura. Once you reach the bottom of the valley, continue along the road, which becomes sealed after a sharp bend (2.5km).

Walk through mixed woodland, a small reforestation area, cultivated fields and scattered houses to the hamlet of Le Corniole (3.4km). Turn right here (3.7km) onto the dirt road that climbs through a forest of turkey oaks. At the end of the climb (4.5km), you pass the Montebello house (now private property), which housed the Tifernati group from January to June 1944. (There is a second information board here). After about 100 metres, turn right onto a minor road. Continue through the typical landscape of the area, with woods that hide the hills and steep valleys that were often used as camps.

At a sharp bend (5.5km), turn right uphill to rejoin the SI near Monte Castellaccio (6.4km). From here you return to the cars along the short stretch you took at the start. Turn left back onto the SI, climb up and over the trunks, then turn left again and in a few hundred metres you are back at the starting point.