Rediscovering the beauty and spaces of the city at a slow pace
The National Day of Urban Trekking conceived in Siena in 2003 returns on 31 October
4' min read
4' min read
Bringing citizens to walk in Italian cities to discover the natural and artistic, historical and cultural heritage: this, in short, is the objective of the National Urban Trekking Day, Bringing citizens to walk in Italian cities to discover the natural and artistic, historical and cultural heritage: this, in short, is the objective of the National Urban Trekking Day, conceived by the municipality of Siena in 2003. Now in its 21st edition, the event - to be held next 31 October - attracts visitors in ninety-one Italian municipalities to rediscover at a slow pace the beauty of urban spaces, walk along nature trails or walk on roads embellished with historical monuments, testimonies of art and culture. The itineraries proposed for the 2024 edition include nature and city trails, paths and walks along rivers, through parks and gardens, excursions among the architecture of historic centres. From north to south, ninety-one Italian municipalities offer everyone the opportunity to engage in a physical activity suitable for people of all ages and to reflect on the importance of sustainability.
Some of the most significant itineraries are subdivided by theme; that of human artifice is the protagonist, for example, in the Veneto villages of Monselice and Montagnana, where the ancient medieval fortifications blend with the hilly landscapes. Some itineraries highlight the value of historical memory and cultural identity, such as the one proposed by the Sicilian town of Aidone, to reveal its Norman past. Nature is the protagonist in the route in Ancona through the Cardeto Park, as well as in Lecco, where one can walk in the monumental complex of Laorca with its evocative caves. There are numerous Italian cities where the union between art and nature is celebrated, such as along the Crete Senesi trail in Asciano or in Gemona del Friuli in an itinerary that reveals its ancient history, marked by the splendours of the Middle Ages but also by the tragic earthquake of 1976; or in Apulia in the town of Ceglie Messapica, birthplace of the painter Emilio Notte, which proposes an urban itinerary to admire the works of the futurist artist. There is no shortage of food and wine experiences that promote the traditions of good food; among the themed itineraries is one in the ancient olive groves of Capaccio Paestum. Trekking participants in L'Aquila, on the other hand, will discover the history of mountaineering and transhumance; while in Molise, they will be able to walk through the village of Termoli, overlooking the Adriatic coast. All the itineraries of the XXI National Urban Trekking Day can be found on the website www.trekkingurbano.info (the dates of the trekking day may vary depending on the location), where you can also find information on how to participate.
Siena, protagonist in the promotion of sustainable tourism
In addition, on Wednesday 30 October, the city of Siena will host, at the Italo Calvino Hall of the Santa Maria della Scala Museum Complex, the first edition of the Urban Trek Summit: a day of meetings to share experiences and good practices on the world of tourism in Italy, during which the first Urban Trekking Values Charter 2025 will be drawn up, which aims to provide shared guidelines for the future of urban trekking. This is an opportunity for Siena, which in 2023 was already recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council as the first Italian city of art certified for sustainability in tourism, which wishes to invite other municipalities to follow this path towards a more conscious and sustainable tourism, which focuses on the community, respect for the environment and the authenticity of places. walk on nature trails or walk on roads embellished by historical monuments, testimonies of art and culture. The itineraries proposed for the 2024 edition include nature and city trails, paths and walks along rivers, through parks and gardens, excursions among the architecture of historic centres. From north to south, ninety-one Italian municipalities offer everyone the opportunity to engage in a physical activity suitable for people of all ages and to reflect on the importance of sustainability.
Significant Paths
.Some of the most significant itineraries are subdivided by theme; that of human artifice is the protagonist, for example, in the Veneto villages of Monselice and Montagnana, where the ancient medieval fortifications blend with the hilly landscapes. Some itineraries highlight the value of historical memory and cultural identity, such as the one proposed by the Sicilian town of Aidone, to reveal its Norman past. Nature is the protagonist in the route in Ancona through the Cardeto Park, as well as in Lecco, where you can walk in the monumental complex of Laorca with its evocative caves.
There are many Italian cities in which the union between art and nature is celebrated, such as along the Crete Senesi in Asciano or in Gemona del Friuli in an itinerary that reveals its ancient history, marked by the splendours of the Middle Ages but also by the tragic earthquake of 1976; or in Apulia in the town of Ceglie Messapica, birthplace of the painter Emilio Notte, which proposes an urban itinerary to admire the works of the futurist artist. There is no shortage of food and wine experiences that promote the traditions of good food; among the themed itineraries is one in the ancient olive groves of Capaccio Paestum. Trekking participants in L'Aquila, on the other hand, will discover the history of mountaineering and transhumance; while in Molise, they can stroll through the village of Termoli, overlooking the Adriatic coast. All the itineraries of the XXI National Day of Urban Trekking can be found on the website www.trekkingurbano.info (the dates of the trekking day may vary depending on the location), where you can also find information on how to participate..
