SUMMER CAMP

CASTELLO DI S.CRISTINA

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A vast range of incredible treks is possible from Castello di Santa Cristina. You just jump on your horse and we will guide you through a selection of the best excursions – each with its own rider leavel.
With Mount Amiata in the north and Lake Bolsena in the south, High Tuscia is waiting to be explored.

Castello di Santa Cristina is peace, relaxation and trekking on horseback!

TREKS AROUND THE CASTLE

1) THE 'THREE WATERS' ALONG THE 'BRIGANDS' PATH' – ca 2h 30m
With this mini trek, we will easily reach the hills which frame the plateau to the west, on which the castle is situated. A fantastic spot for a breath–taking view of the area, from the beautiful crater of Lake Bolsena on one side to the hills surrounding the little Lake Mezzano on the other. Provided that we have a sufficiently clear day, the sea can be seen 40km in the distance, like a glowing mirror. Starting from the castle, after 1km, we will reach a large track winding through the beautiful hills and small woods on a steady and soft ground suitable for a good canter, if desired. At the end of the track, we will enter a big wood called ‘Selva di Onano’.

2) TO THE MEDIEVAL CHURCH 'ST.MARIA DELLE COLONNE' –
 ca 2h 15m
Departing the castle, we tackle an old road carved into the rock, riding until we reach the Brigands’ Path. Passing the old farmhouse of St Prospero, we take a left turn into cultivated fields and chestnut woods. We can now urge the horses forwards into canter through a stunning natural passageway in the woods, giving riders an exhilarating run in a fairytale environment. We soon discover another old road carved into the rock, leading us down to the little medieval church of St Maria delle Colonne and its nearby fountain. From here, we return to the castle via cultivated potato fields and chestnut woods.

3) 'NOCCHIETO' and 'St.MARTINO'  – ca 2h 30m
Using the old outlaws’ track, the Brigands’ Path, we ride away from the castle past the pastures of grazing sheep and down into a narrow valley of volcanic rock. We eventually come to Nocchieto, an abandoned farmhouse in ruins, but still fascinating in its architecture, leaning against the rock. As the road changes from volcanic rock into soft ground, we can urge our horses forwards, up into the hills. Eventually, we meet the Brigands’ Path again, where we carry on across varied landscapes and scattered Etruscan tombs and caves. Finally, we make our way back to the castle, winding our way up tracks to another stunning plateau, where we encounter a lovely vista, before returning home through the woods.

4) THE ACQUATIC VISTA TOUR – ca 2h 30m

The focal point of this trek is the panoramic view of the two local volcanic crater lakes Bolsena and Mezzano, plus the distant ocean glimmering from afar. Riders are presented with a relaxed canter through the woods, views of the castle estate, using an old track through varied terrains and landscapes.

5) 'St.LUIGI' TOUR  – ca 2h
After leaving Santa Cristina, we ride up onto a plateau to take in the spectacular scenery, including the towering Mount Amiata, the Radicofani fortress and the distant castle of Torre Alfina. We then ride up through valleys and hills and through romantic chestnut woods. Eventually, we arrive at the St Luigi farm, where fantastic ‘ricotta’ is produced. Around us, pastures of sheep graze happily as we take the old estate track back along the hills to the castle.

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6) ONANO OUTLOOK – ca 3h
Starting on the famous Brigands’ Path, we head north through the hills, taking in spectacular scenery of the castle estate and surrounding farmland. After crossing the provincial road, we take in a panoramic view of the mountains towering in front of us and carry on around the vicinity of Onano – a fortified town of the Middle Ages. Your guide will point out the medieval castle located in the middle of the town – an important stronghold of the Molandeschi family which ruled the area in the Middle Ages. We carry on through old farmers’ tracks, up into open fields, past the delightful medieval church of St Maria delle Grazie and then carry on back up to the castle.

7)AROUND GRADOLI – ca 2h 30m

Following an old Etruscan trail, we ride up through chestnut woods into the hills surrounding the crater lake of Bolsena. Here, we take in the remarkable scenery which includes vineyards, Etruscan tombs, the prominent volcanic lake and the medieval panorama of Gradoli. Carrying on up the track, we acquire a closer view of Gradoli and its fantastic Farnese Palace. We return to the castle riding through the vineyards, vegetable gardens and enchanting woods.

DAILY EXCURSIONS

1) TO BOLSENA LAKE – ca 7hr (included lunch – picnic)

This full day’s excursion begins at the Santa Cristina Castle estate. We ride through the neighbouring farmland, through chestnut woods and use an ancient track which takes us right down to the crater of Lake Bolsena, the largest volcanic lake in Europe. As we ride, we will witness some breath–taking views of the lake and surrounding area; as we head down to the lake, you will note many Etruscan tombs scattered throughout the countryside, serving as a reminder of the ancient history which abounds in this area. 
Once at the lake, lunch is served in a typical trattoria, by the beach. If you wish to cool off in the water with your horse, a swim in the lake can be included, before we ride back up to Gradoli, passing the fantastic Farnese Palace. Once at the top of the crater, we take another old track through the chestnut woods back up to the Santa Cristina Castle estate.

2) CASTLE TO CASTLE –a 7hr/ 8hr  (included lunch – picnic)

This incredible experience through Lazio and Tuscany is not to be missed. Travel on horseback from the Santa Cristina Castle estate to the fortress of Proceno, in much the same way as the dukes travelled hundreds of years ago.
From Santa Cristina, we travel up towards the medieval town of Onano, visiting the 16th–century church of ‘Madonna delle Grazie’, from which we have stunning views of the village walls. We then carry on north towards the enchanting landscape between Tuscany and Lazio. As we cross the Montorio game reserve, we may be lucky enough to see wild pheasants, fallow deer and wild pigs. We cross a ford in the Stridolone river, before carrying up onto a hilltop which looks over the fortress itself.
After lunching on delicious southern Tuscan cuisine, we cross the river again and climb up onto a plateau, through thick vegetation, using an old farmers’ track. As we head home, we ride past vineyards, fields and finally a former nuns’ convent of the eighteenth century, with a sad past. Finally, we return to the castle from the northeast.

3) TO MEZZANO LAKE – ca 7hr (included lunch  – picnic)

Lake Mezzano is an area worthy of note, owing to its great historical value and natural beauty. The lake itself was once a volcanic crater, formed 400,000 years ago, and the site of human settlements dating right back to the pre–Etruscan era (around 2,700 years ago). These settlements are now submerged in water, owing to later earthquakes, but the significance of these underwater treasures was brought to light in the mid eighties by an archaeological campaign.
Our excursion begins at the Santa Cristina Castle estate and then takes riders through the estate’s farmland, up hills and into the woods which surround Onano. Here, the horses have the opportunity to canter up through a wonderful natural passage surrounded by trees. At the top of this plateau, we have a chance to take in the dazzling scenery, before we carry on down past local farms into another wood which leads us into flat open planes which offer a completely new type of scenery.
Here, if desired, we can canter the horses up the old tracks, before we reach the marshlands and vineyards which surround the lake itself. We ride through the Selva del Lamone natural reserve and up to the small, local restaurant for lunch, overlooking the water. Through the warmer months, we can also swim in the lake. In the afternoon, we ride back through woods and farmland, taking in a few historical sights on the way.