Description:

“In the Footsteps of the Witches of Monte Cucco” is an experiential hike organized by Tra Montana – Apennine Guides, which takes participants on a journey to discover the legends and folk beliefs associated with Monte Cucco along a trail immersed in the natural landscape of the park. The initiative offers a unique way to explore the area, combining hiking with storytelling, music, and the rediscovery of intangible cultural heritage. 

The route winds through some of Monte Cucco’s most evocative sites, including centuries-old forests, springs, and trails, passing through enchanting settings such as the Madre dei Faggi, the Fida Forest, the Rio Freddo stream, and the San Pietro Orticheto Valley. Along the way, folk tales, legends about witches and the Diantene, references to wild herbs, and musical interludes transform the landscape into a space of memory and imagination, allowing participants to rediscover the deep connection between nature, history, and local traditions. 

The initiative serves as an example of how to promote intangible cultural heritage through experiential and sustainable tourism. Stories passed down through oral tradition become a tool for interpreting the territory, strengthening a sense of place, and fostering a more authentic understanding of Monte Cucco Park, engaging participants in an experience that integrates environment, culture, and storytelling. 

By reviving folk legends and reinterpreting them along the trails of Monte Cucco, “In the Footsteps of the Witches of Monte Cucco” helps keep a significant part of the local cultural identity alive, fostering the transmission of stories, knowledge, and traditions that continue to shape the relationship between the community and its territory. 

The material provided documents the various stages of the experience, highlighting the involvement of the guides, storytellers, and participants along the route. The images and videos demonstrate how the retelling of legends, interaction with the landscape, and the active participation of the public transform the hike into an opportunity to discover, share, and celebrate the intangible cultural heritage of Monte Cucco.