The Umbra Forest

- Hiking through the forest paths

Bring trekking shoes, a jumpsuit and want to discover the forest trails.
Visits are possible with or without nature guides.
Contact us for information on the upcoming tour.

The paths have been traced without impacting with nature.
In fact, old mule tracks (trails for pack animals) have been recovered in full respect of fauna and flora.
Getting lost in the untouched nature of the Umbra Forest is a unique experience.

- A MTB tour to discover the Umbra Forest

If you want to combine fun with respect for the nature, we recommend renting mountain bikes and/or pedal-assisted bikes.
The rental is active every day upon reservation, while the tours are on defined dates from April to September (group tours) or on demand, every day (private tours).
This is one of the best options for visiting enchanting places, in uncontaminated nature.
You can choose to participate in one of the many scheduled tours with MTB or E-Bike.

MTB & E-BIKE TOURS IN THE UPCOMING DATES::

• EVERY DAY IN APRIL, MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER (10:30 am)
• ON DEMAND TOURS, ALL YEAR ROUND (minimum 6 people)
• MTB OR EBIKE RENTAL, ALL YEAR ROUND

As an alternative to organized tours, you can decide to rent your MTB or E-BIKE and visit the Park independently.
In the Umbra Forest there are routes of different levels, from Amateur to Expert.
Click here for Info and Reservations for tours or rentals.

You can bring your E-Bike with you and recharge it at Elda Hotel or Agriturismo La Cantoniera d'Umbra.

It will be possible to participate in our departing tours, always by reservation.
Contact us for information on the Foresta Umbra routes.

- Foresta Umbra for children

The Umbra Forest fascinates adults and children.
What activities to do in Foresta Umbra with children?

Among the recommended activities for children, we mention:
- The visit of the deer reserve;
- An E-Bike and Mountain Bike ride (click here), with the possibility of mounting the high chair for the little ones;
- The "giocabosco", a small eco-sustainable theme park suitable for children;

- How to dress for the Foresta Umbra

If you decide to visit the Foresta Umbra, don't forget to bring hiking shoes or at least closed shoes, long socks and be careful not to be surprised by the temperatures.
The temperatures in the Foresta Umbra are cooler than on the coast, 5 to 10 degrees less.

This phenomenon is due to the presence of entire areas where the sun never shines.

If you are in the summer and it is very hot on the coast, a long shirt may be enough, while in other seasons we recommend a jacket.
In the winter months, in fact, temperatures in the Forest often reach below zero.

Rainfall in the Foresta Umbra is more frequent than on the coast.

- Foresta Umbra, Timetables and Prices

You may be wondering timetables and prices of the Umbra Forest.
Here you are satisfied! The Umbra Forest is always open and free, so it can always be visited.
Attention, in Foresta Umbra there are no public toilet facilities and the naturalistic museum opens in the summer months.
You can use the services of activities such as bars, restaurants, farmhouses, hotels.

- Park in the Umbra Forest

The Umbra Forest is considered the green lung of Puglia, with its over 100 km of marked trails.
As you can see from the map, the Umbra Forest is crossed by 3 main roads, coming from Monte Sant'Angelo, Vieste and Vico del Gargano.

You can decide to park in different points of the Forest.
We advise you to park your car near tourist facilities and refreshment points.
You can park at the Agriturismo Cantoniera d'Umbra (here the location), the Elda Hotel (here the location) or Trattoria d'Umbra (here the location) from where many of the tourist level trails start, also suitable for families with children.

Elda Hotel is the starting point for numerous excursions on foot or by E-Bike to discover the Umbra Forest

You can park at the Rifugio Sfilzi (here the location) from where the Sfilzi path starts, one of the most beautiful in the forest, suitable for more expert walkers.

- The Deer Reserve in the Umbra Forest

In the Umbra Forest there is a small natural history museum where you can find information about fauna and flora.

In the museum, not far from the reserve, deer feed is on sale.
Although originally wild animals, deer are quick to approach when they smell food.
A unique experience, highly recommended.

You are in the Umbra Forest Deer Reserve.
Let's find out some more curiosities about these "cute animals".

Fallow deer exhibit sexual dimorphism.
This means that males are easily distinguishable from females by the presence of antlers (improperly called horns) and their robust stature.

Fallow deer are polygamous animals, so they tend to conquer multiple females during the mating season.

Males in love can engage in real fights between rivals by crossing antlers until one of the two contenders gives in, often injured and/or dying.

The reproductive period of these animals runs from October to early November.
Pregnancy, which lasts eight months, involves the birth of one or at most two cubs.

- Foresta Umbra, The animals you can find

In addition to the fallow deer that you can visit in the Fallow Deer Reserve, there is the possibility of seeing numerous other species including roe deer, wild boar, weasels, woodpeckers, squirrels, pheasants and hares and small rodents.
You will be able to spot numerous birds of prey both diurnal like the kites, the goshawk, the buzzard, the sparrow hawk and nocturnal like the owl, the great eagle owl, the tawny owl and the barn owl.
There are frequent encounters with many species of birds including the crow, the magpie, the blackcap, the nightingale, the robin and the blackbird
In Foresta Umbra there is a large presence of foxes and in recent years of wolves.

What to do if you see a wolf, a boar, or any other animal?
The solution is simple, calm and no sudden gestures.
Animals attack if they feel they are in danger

In the Umbra Lake, in the middle of the Forest, you can spot fish, turtles and frogs, allochthonous species.
This is a great experience for families with children.

- The Flora of the Umbra Forest

The Umbra Forest reaches 830 meters at its highest point and descends to 270 meters above sea level.
The morphology of the territory and the landscapes change, the vegetation changes so much that the Umbra Forest can be divided into 3 macro areas.

In the highest part we find the beech forest, where there is a prevalence of beech trees (approximately 84%) and to a lesser extent yews, maples and hornbeams.
The ancient beech forests of the Umbra Forest, in the Gargano National Park, have been recognized as a UNESCO site.

In the intermediate part, we find the oak forest, with a prevalence of turkey oaks and oaks and a smaller quantity of beeches, hornbeams, lime trees and maples.
The lower part is characterized by the presence of holm oaks and pines and can be defined as Mediterranean forest.

The flora of the Gargano includes around 2,300 species, or over 33% of Italian plant species, representing a true paradise for nature lovers and scholars.

- How long does it take to visit the Umbra Forest

The minimum time we recommend is half a day.
In this time you will be able to walk one of the many paths of the Forest, on foot, on a MTB or E-Bike.
Do you want our advice?
Decide to dedicate an entire day (perhaps with a stay) in one of the facilities located in the Umbra Forest.
This is a unique experience, to unplug from everyday life and be surrounded by the beauty of this pristine place.

- The Umbra Forest, accessible with strollers, prams and animals

The Umbra Forest is considered the green lung of Puglia, with its over 100 km of marked trails.
Can we find trails suitable for walks with strollers and prams?
The answer is Yes!
Near Laghetto d'Umbra (search on Google Maps for "Laghetto d'Umbra") you can find a path that is completely accessible and passable by strollers and wheelchairs.

Can I bring my pet to Foresta Umbra?
The answer, again, is Yes!
Please remember to use a leash in the presence of other people and/or animals and maximum silence,
The Forest is an environment very sensitive to "external noises".

- The Foliage in the Umbra Forest

One of the most fascinating times to visit the Umbra Forest is in the months of November and December.
In this period the Forest transforms and takes on breathtaking colours.
This is a unique period to be able to "steal author shots".
Come and discover the foliage in the Umbra Forest.

- Was the Umbra Forest exploited in the past?

If you visit the Umbra Forest today you will be surprised by the uncontaminated nature and the limited presence of man.
In the recent past, from the end of the 19th century to the mid-1900s, the forest was exploited to a greater extent for its valuable timber.

The wood produced was placed on wagons of a Decauville railway, a small gauge railway, and transported to the edge of the Umbra Forest, in the Mandrione area, where there is still a sawmill today.
The transport took place by "inertia" taking advantage of the favorable slope.

The wood produced was transported from the Mandrione sawmill to the port of Vieste and then reached markets across the world by ship.
The cutting of wood and its related activities gave work to at least 500 workers from all over the Gargano and represented great wealth for the entire promontory.
Market transformations and the evolution of technologies have led to the disuse and abandonment of the railway.
The tracks have been entirely recycled and now few traces of the ancient route remain.

To caress the ancient flavor of this era you can visit the exhibition area of the Villaggio Umbra where it is possible to observe a locomotive with some carriages.
Thanks to the support of a guide you will be able to discover valuable engineering works supporting the railway, such as the Scalelle bridge and the bridge in the Cava di Tufo area.

- The Gargano Green Card, discounts for green travellers

An incredible initiative was born in 2023 that will make the "green visit" of the Gargano easier.
This is the Gargano Green Card, a virtual card that allows you to have discounts on activities such as Ebike Tours, Trabucchi Tours, SUP, Yoga, Trekking and much more.

Click here to find out more about the Gargano Green Card.
If you love green experiences you cannot miss it.

- Where to sleep and eat in the Umbra Forest

Sleeping in the Umbra Forest, waking up in nature, what a unique experience!
Here are our tips for a stay in the Umbra Forest:

- Elda Hotel
It is a hotel / restaurant that was born very recently. (info here)
Excellent cuisine, quality products, refined service.
It is an enchanting place where you can also make a short stop.
They have an electric car charging center.
At Elda Hotel you will find a bike rental and an electric bike charging point.
Request information for the many activities to do in Foresta Umbra.

- Cantoniera d'Umbra
Family-run farmhouse, with comfortable rooms and homemade breakfasts.
The cuisine is homemade, typical, to try.
At Cantoniera d'Umbra you will find an electric bike charging point.
The owners are very kind and will be able to show you the many activities to do in the Umbra Forest. (info here)

Travel Tips:

- The Umbra Forest is located in the Gargano National Park and it is not allowed to light fires;

- In the forest there are two refreshment points with bathroom service, not open all year;

- In the forest there are several free picnic areas;

- Nature is the heritage of humanity, respect it to deliver it intact to our children;

- It will be possible to organize self-guided bike tours or plan your cycling holiday in the Gargano National Park on the GAG ​​(learn more);

- The cycling routes in the Gargano National Park are among the most beautiful you'll find on your Puglia bike trip;