Walking in Umbria

We meet at Rome Fiumicino Airport in the early afternoon and drive towards the medieval village of Campi.

In the afternoon, we have a circular walk starting and finishing at Campi. On the slopes of Monte Macchialunga, our walk takes us past some ancient hermitages, including the 15th century Eremo della Madonna di Santacroce.

Total distance: 6 km / 3 miles
Walking time: 2 hours
Mostly walking on good paths

Evening meal and overnight at an agriturismo in Campi.

This morning we drive to Castelluccio (45 mins drive) to begin our walk.

At 1452m above sea-level, Castelluccio is the highest settlement in the Apennines and its spectacular position above the Pian Grande – a high mountain plain hazed in a spring with a breathtaking carpet of wild flowers – is one you are unlikely to forget. It is famous for its lentils – small, brown and much-prized by gourmets — and for its shepherds. Even today, the ancient tradition of ‘transhumanza’ continues – flocks are brought up to Castelluccio to graze on the rich grass in spring, then taken back down to the valley before the autumn frosts.

We climb west out of the village in a gradual ascent through a forested valley until we emerge near to the top of Monte Patino and from where there are spectacular views over the valley of Norcia and north towards the region of Le Marche.
For the next hour we have a stunning high-altitude walk through grassy uplands until we begin the descent back down into Campi.

Total distance: 18.8 km / 12 miles
Walking time: 5 hours
Total ascent: 400m
Total descent: 1000m
Easy walking on the ascent over grassy farmland, but a long and sometimes steep descent

After breakfast we drive to our hotel near Montefalco to drop off our bags. Having done so, we walk from the hotel to the hilly medieval core of Montefalco, a squiggly maze of narrow cobbled streets, where we enjoy a delicious lunch in the town square.

After lunch, we visit the Complesso Museale di San Francesco, where the 14th century church holds one of the finest Renaissance fresco cycles in Italy – the Life of St Francis by Benozzo Gozzoli, a pupil of Fra Angelico.

Dinner and overnight in Montefalco.

Total distance: 7 km / 5 miles
Walking time: 2½ hours
Total ascent: 275m
Mostly easy walking over grassy farmland, but includes a steep ascent at the end of the walk

Montefalco is famed for its Sagrantino wines and this morning we will walk through picturesque vineyards to the handsome medieval town of Bevagna. Here we will discover another local tradition — a demonstration of paper-making! For those who are interested, Bevagna retains a marvellous Roman mosaic dating back from the time it was a staging post on the Via Flaminia. The mosaic – which belonged to a baths complex – is decorated with dolphins, octopuses and other sea creatures.

Evening meal and overnight near Montefalco.

Total distance: 11 km / 7 miles
Walking time: 2½ hours
Total descent: 275m
Mostly easy walking over grassy farmland

Sagrantino grapes

Mist over the pianura di Castelluccio

Frescoes in San Francesco Montefalco

This morning we drive to Spello for the start of our walk which begins with a long ascent – firstly through scrubland and thickets and then across the grassy uplands of Monte Subasio, for spectacular views of the the Umbrian uplands. After a picnic lunch, we begin our descent into the town of Assisi.

In Assisi, there is free time to visit the Basilica of San Francesco – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and its astonishing cycle of frescoes by Giotto — before we return to Montefalco for the evening.

Evening meal and overnight near Montefalco.

Total distance: 18 km / 11¼ miles
Walking time: 6½ hours
Total ascent: 1200m
Total descent: 1012m
Mostly walking on good paths

This morning we drive to the medieval town of Trevi. This is the starting point for our walk to the beautiful town of Spoleto. Today’s walk is a long one (26km) but we are rewarded with stunning views over medieval villages.

For those who don’t want to do the whole walk, it is possible to do part of the walk and get a lift in the bus for the rest of the way.

Evening meal and overnight in Spoleto.

Total distance: 26 km / 16 miles
Walking time: 6½ hours
Total ascent: 1110m
Total descent: 1186m
Mostly walking on good paths

Village on the route to Spoleto

Casteldilago, Umbria

Ponte delle Torri bridge on the way to Spoleto, Umbria

In the morning we have a walking tour of the historic town of Spoleto. One of Umbria’s – and indeed Italy’s – cultural hubs, it has hosted an international theatre festival, the Festival dei Due Mondi every summer since 1958. In the afternoon you have free time to relax, or to explore more of Spoleto. The town is simply full of treasures, ranging from a Roman house to a contemporary art museum with works donated by artists associated with the festival, including Henry Moore, Renato Guttuso, Alexander Calder and Alberto Burri.

Evening meal and overnight in Spoleto.

Back to the airport
Departure transfers to Rome airport and flights back home.