🌿 Natural Parks and Reserves of Tuscia: Immersions in Nature and Archaeology

A small territory, extraordinary variety: sacred woods, extinct volcanoes, and forgotten Etruscan cities

Tuscia is an open-air laboratory for those who love to explore. Within just a few kilometers, you can cross entirely different landscapes, each with its own environmental and cultural identity: volcanic craters, mysterious ravines, ancient beech forests, sacred lakes, Roman ruins, Etruscan tombs.

This concentration of natural parks and protected reserves makes the region a unique example of balance between nature, history, and human activity, and a perfect destination for trekking, photography, meditation, and archaeological tourism.

🗺️ Major Parks and Reserves of Tuscia (selected highlights)

1. Marturanum Regional Park – Barbarano Romano

One of the most striking parks in Tuscia: here, lush nature merges with Etruscan necropolises carved into the rock. Trails wind through canyons, waterfalls, and cube-shaped tombs.

📍 Ideal for: archaeological trekking, day hikes🎯 Don’t miss: the Tomba del Cervo, the rock sanctuary, and the Ponte del Diavolo

2. Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve – Acquapendente

Vast and wild, this is the green lung of northern Tuscia. It includes trails among ancient oak trees, wildflower meadows, abandoned charcoal kilns, and ghost villages.

📍 Ideal for: multi-day hiking, environmental education🎯 Don’t miss: the Charcoal Makers’ Village, Casale Felceto, and the Brigands’ Path

3. Lake Vico Nature Reserve

An ancient volcanic crater transformed into a lake, surrounded by a dense beech forest. A protected biodiversity site, home to wetlands, springs, and lake birdlife.

📍 Ideal for: trekking, birdwatching, kayaking🎯 Don’t miss: Monte Venere, the ancient beech grove, and the Ciricuto beach

4. Selva del Lamone Nature Reserve

A mythical, rugged, and primordial place. Hardened lava flows, sudden clearings, and ancient brigands’ shelters. A truly ancestral landscape.

📍 Ideal for: experienced hikers, deep immersion in wild nature🎯 Don’t miss: the cave of Brigand Tiburzi, panoramic views over Farnese and the Fiora valley

5. Vulci Archaeological Park

A site where archaeology and landscape blend in perfect harmony. Monumental Etruscan tombs, Roman remains, the Ponte dell’Abbadia, and the nature of the Fiora valley.

📍 Ideal for: cultural outings, families, historical photography🎯 Don’t miss: the François Tomb, the museum in the castle, and the river canyon

🌄 A Connected Network

The presence of so many protected environments in such a compact area allows for the creation of thematic itineraries, such as:

• Nature trails and archaeological stops

• Spiritual paths and Etruscan sacred sites

• Therapeutic forests and ghost villages

🌱 Responsible Tourism: A Necessary Choice

Every visit must respect the ecological fragility and cultural value of these places.✅ Stick to marked trails✅ Do not pick plants or disturb wildlife✅ Follow park regulations✅ Support local accommodations and guides

Only in this way can these extraordinary ecosystems continue to thrive and tell their story.