DAY 23 - PASSIGNANO SUL TRASIMENO to CORTONA - 13 May 2026

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Following some photography at the water front, we chose the cycle way again to take us further around the lake. We stopped at the Campo del Sole sculpture park, commemorating the history of the area as well as encouraging reflection and meditation. In 217 BC Hannibal and the Carthaginian forces ambushed the Roman army in this vicinity and achieved a decisive victory. After a bar stop, we visited the Hannibal museum and had two very enthusiastic staff members tell us all about this event and the equipment the soldiers used. With chain mail weighing 12 kg, a shield of 7 kg, a spear and hobnailed sandals, the soldiers certainly didn't travel light! 

Our path led through olive trees and passed a statue of Hannibal giving the order to attack. After that the path climbed steeply with great views back over the lake. You could see how the topography informed Hannibal's battle plan. Eventually we reached the top and had a banana to celebrate. 

Going down was just as steep, this time with views over the valley and to Cortona. Once on the valley floor, we followed dirt tracks through fields, with long lanes of Italian cypress. We enjoyed another river crossing before landing back on a tarred road and the steep climb to Cortona began. 

Cortona was made popular in Frances Mayes' book, 'Under the Tuscan Sun'. We heard American voices everywhere. After a late pizza lunch, we wandered the streets, ending up at the church of St Francis. Inside was an exhibition of creative artworks about St Francis which we enjoyed. 

To get to our accommodation, we headed down the hill through olive trees, ending up in a quiet place in the country. 

Early morning at Passignano sul Trasimeno 
Lago Trasimeno at Passignano sul Trasimeno 
The "largest frying pan in the world", Passignano sul Trasimeno 
A lovely lakeside stroll to start the day
On the Lago Trasimeno cycleway for a few kilometres
The impressive Campo del Sole sculptures, dating from the late 1980s
View of Lake Trasimene from outside the Hannibal Museum in Tuoro sul Trasimeno 
Some of the displays in the Hannibal Museum
A bit of a climb as we left Umbria to head into Tuscany
One of the final glimpses of Lake Trasimene 
This way to Tuscany
A bit of a descent, with the town of Cortona visible halfway up the hill in the background
Walking amongst the olives and Italian cypresses
A refreshing water crossing
Emerging from a refreshing water crossing
Getting closer to Cortona
Up the hill towards Cortona
Expansive Tuscan views on the climb up to Cortona
Inside the church of St Francis at Cortona
Cortona
Scenic descent from Cortona
Lots of twists and turns as we descended
Another turn on the way down from Cortona
Today's bits and pieces
Birds
Day 23 - Map

Day:                               23
Distance:                      28.45 km
Walking time:               5 hrs 58 mins
Elevation gain:             655 metres
Cumulative distance:  447.54 km

Comments

  1. Anonymous14 May 2026 at 01:19

    Today’s birds: Great-crested Grebe, Common Redstart, Great Cormorant, Feral Pigeon, Little Egret, Little Egret

    ReplyDelete
  2. Barkers14 May 2026 at 05:53

    Thanks Murray!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Butler14 May 2026 at 09:20

    Wow, you are in Tuscany…yay! It looks beautiful and I love the bicycles and the tall trees 🥰

    ReplyDelete

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