34. Cortona – Pozzuolo Castiglione del Lago

A non-difficult stage, over large spaces, between Tuscany and Umbria, with green hills full of history, culture, environment and excellent cuisine.

Leaving Cortona from Piazza della Repubblica, you arrive in the Contesse area and then up to Palazzone di Cortona. Near a villa immersed in a beautiful olive grove, we continue to descend to the foot of the hill. After crossing the stream we reach the beautiful Pieve di San Michele Arcangelo, where we can also find a hostel. Then you arrive at the village of Montalla and you find yourself again in the middle of the countryside. After crossing a footbridge you reach Ossaia. (cyclists continue straight, cross Ossaia, pass the Riccio traffic light and go towards Pietraia, then Centoia, Via della Stella up to Petrignano del Lago. All for 12 km). In Ossaia you go towards the industrial area. After the asphalt there are gravel roads, country roads or simple paths. Go under the railway, and after fording two ditches, after 1.3 km you reach the Canale Maestro della Chiana. You arrive near the Case Sant’Anna farmhouse; then you pass the Perugia-Florence motorway junction. Then you come to a small lake in the middle of a wooded clearing, then another. Leaving Centoia on the right and Pietraia on the left, cross the SP 33 and take a country road in the middle of the vineyards. Petrignano del Lago is a small and charming fraction of Castiglione, located along the Etruscan-Roman road which from Chiusi, through the Trasimeno hills, connects to Cortona and Arezzo. From here we reach Giorgi and finally Pozzuolo, the destination of this stage, chosen for its position on an ancient road and the possibility of finding refreshment there thanks to the presence of excellent farmhouses. We are not far (12.5 km) from Castiglione del Lago which certainly deserves a visit as a medieval center with a stupendous stately building, now the town hall, and an equally important Federician castle

CONNEXION: The Via Romea, according to various historians, ran along the ridge of the low hills, because it was easier to travel, far from marshy areas and areas that occasionally flooded, safer from ambushes by bad guys. However Castiglione del Lago and Trasimeno are worth a visit. A connection has therefore been studied. From Pozzuolo you go on up to Casamaggiore. Then Frattavecchia. On country roads you go towards the hamlet of Vitellino. Continue until you pass under the railway, until you are in Via della Stazione. After the roundabout, take the road along the lake (Via Divisione Partigiani Garibaldi). Going up the staircase you reach the centre. From Cortona to Castiglione del Lago it is 37 km.

PLEASE NOTE: The footbridge over the canal (indicated by point 7 in the Guide and map, Agriturismo Case Sant’Anna) that is after Ossaia towards Patrignano is broken for maintenance. One must take the variant (marked in yellow). There are signs at the site.