National Geographic Day Tour- Explorer-Inspired Hike Through a UNESCO Beech Forest
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Port
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
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Activity Level
Strenuous
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$179
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 5½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Start the day stepping into Oriolo Romano, a tiny village where a glimpse into nature awaits. Lace up your boots and escape the city with a hike through the forest. Your National Geographic-trained guide will lead you into the heart of a UNESCO-protected beech forest – drenched in vibrant hues, this forest is part of a global treasure: the “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests”, spanning across 18 countries and celebrated by UNESCO for their ecological importance.
What makes this hike unique? You're walking among some of the tallest beech trees at this altitude, a phenomenon celebrated by experts like Alfredo di Filippo, a botanist, and National Geographic Explorer. These trees defy the norms, thriving in the rich, microclimatic conditions made possible by the nearby Lake Bracciano. This makes Monte Raschio's forest a rare "depressed beech wood," flourishing at an altitude where beeches are seldom found. Your guide will bring the forest to life with specialist knowledge about the flora and fauna that make this ecosystem so extraordinary.
But there's more to this forest than just its trees. It's a sanctuary for creatures like the Rosalia Alpina, an endangered beetle under the protection of the European Union. After your trek through the leafy beech canopy and the relaxed return down Monte Raschio, Oriolo Town offers a perfect spot to reflect on the natural wonders you've just experienced. Mingle with the locals at a traditional Italian cafe and sample some local produce from the area.
Notes:
Minimum age is 6 years. Tour includes approximately five miles (three hours) of walking, including photo stops and breaks. Elevation gain is approximately 244 meters (800 feet). Wear sturdy non-skid hiking shoes. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, inclines, gravel, grass, rocks, rough trails, and steps. The terrain is unpaved and uneven. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses, wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water.