Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve – Lazio: ancient woods, silent paths and biodiversity between Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany. The Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve covers over 2,800 hectares in the territory of Acquapendente, on the border between Lazio, Tuscany and Umbria. It is a place of extraordinary ecological integrity, made up of dense woods, hilly ridges, streams and ancient stone farmhouses. A green sanctuary where time follows the slow rhythm of the seasons. 🌳 Extensive woods and Apennine environments: The reserve is covered by over 90% mixed forests of turkey oak, beech, hornbeam, maple and chestnut. Between the clearings there are meadows, fountains, hedges and small traditional crops. In autumn, foliage transforms the landscape into a mosaic of warm, deep colors. 👉 Tip: Explore the depressed beech forest of Monte Rufeno: a rare example of a beech tree at low altitudes, witness to an ancient climate. 🦊 Wildlife and biodiversity protected: Monte Rufeno is a refuge for a very rich fauna: roe deer, wild boars, foxes, porcupines, badgers, buzzards, owls, amphibians and a myriad of insects. The streams are home to salamanders and dragonflies, while the skies are often crossed by birds of prey in flight. 👉 Tip: Bring binoculars and a notebook: Silent observation, especially near waterways, is often rewarded by unexpected encounters. 🚶 ♀️ Network of paths and slow paths: The reserve is crossed by a dense well-marked hiking network, with circular itineraries, nature trails and connections to the Via Francigena. The paths touch rural farmhouses, panoramic points and equipped rest areas, ideal for slow and conscious excursions. 👉 Tip: Walk the Monte Rufeno Ring: about 10 km through woods, ridges and valleys, with open views of southern Tuscany and western Umbria. 🏡 Farmhouses, mule tracks and widespread rurality: The territory of the reserve preserves numerous restored rural farmhouses, ancient mule tracks, dry stone walls and stone fountains. These elements tell the story of a landscape inhabited in a respectful way, where agriculture coexisted with the rhythms of nature. 👉 Tip: Visit the Casale del Micoccaio, now a visitor center and an ideal starting point for explorations in the reserve and educational activities. 🌿 Environmental Education and Research: Monte Rufeno is also a living laboratory: it hosts botanical gardens, thematic trails, nature observatories and environmental education initiatives. Numerous scientific projects monitor local flora, fauna and climate change. 👉 Tip: Take part in the activities of the Acquapendente Visitor Center: perfect for families, students and nature enthusiasts who want to better understand the balance of this ecosystem. Monte Rufeno is a landscape to listen to. Here nature is not a spectacle, but a living presence, made up of slow steps, whispers of leaves, sudden flights. An invitation to inhabit silence.