Walking in Assisi and Spoleto

Walking & Trekking

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Activity Level :

3 out of 7 - Moderate

Group Size :

Ages :

12+

Trip Code :

W06UB

Richly verdant Umbria, sandwiched between the rolling landscape of Tuscany and the hills of Lazio, is Italy's only land locked region and is frequently referred to as the country's 'green heart'.

The area is renowned for its deep valleys, abundant oak forest, swathes of olive groves and of course its stunning medieval towns and ancient hill top villages. This 6-night twin centre walking trip takes you to the highlights of this beautiful region, to discover its UNESCO sites, historic pilgrimage trails and stunning sun drenched landscapes.

Your first 3 nights are in magical Assisi, the town of St Francis. Here you enjoy a city walk to fully appreciate the fantastic sites that this beautiful medieval town has to offer. Climb to St Francis' peaceful hermitage retreat, hidden within lush oak forest on the flanks of Monte Subasio, where the saint would preach to the birds. From Assisi, you walk to the medieval gem that is Spello, with balcony views of the Umbrian Valley. Your final 3 nights are spent in the fascinating historic city of Spoleto, crammed with exciting Roman remains including the Emperor Vespasian's mother's house, baths and mosaics. From here you ascend to an ancient monastery through sacred woodland that has for years been tended and cared for by the Franciscan monks, and follow the Olive Grove Trail through evocative hilltop villages back to Spoleto.

Highlights

Discover Assisi, the jewel in Umbria's crown, and medieval Spello
Stunning Spoleto - historic aqueduct, Roman amphitheatre, 14th century fortress
Italy's 'green heart': endless olive groves, lush forest, beautiful hilltop hamlets, hidden hermitages, panoramic views

Key Information

6 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in 4-star hotels
All continental breakfasts
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walking transfer on day 6

Countries visited: Italy

What's Included

7 nights twin centre walking in 4 star accommodation
7 day land only / flight inclusive
5 days walking (4 days optional)
The routes and paths you follow are generally well maintained. As there are frequent ascents and descents, you need to be reasonably fit and confident.

Countries visited: Italy

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
Visas or vaccinations
Local city tax
Train from Spello to Spoleto (4€ per person)

5 Days of Walking & Trekking

Terrain:

The routes and paths you follow are generally well maintained. As there are frequent ascents and descents, you need to be reasonably fit and confident. Walking boots are essential and walking poles are recommended (but only if you already use them).

Day 2

7 km / 4.3 miles

Day 3

16 km / 9.9 miles

Day 4

18 km / 11.2 miles

Day 5

11 km / 6.8 miles

Day 6

15 km / 9.3 miles

TRIP

W06UB - Walking in Assisi and Spoleto

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Itinerary

Assisi Spoleto London London

Settle into your comfortable 4-star hotel in the heart of Assisi’s historic centre.

Today’s walk takes in all of Assisi’s famous sights including the perfectly preserved temple of Minerva and of course St Francis’ basilica with its magnificent 13th century Giotto frescoes. There’s the option to extend the walk to the impressive 16th century basilica in Sta Maria degli Angeli, returning to Assisi by bus.

You stay at the Hotel Fontebella Palace

Distance covered: 4mi (7km)

Activity hours: 3

Meals included: Breakfast

Head uphill to the Hermitage of St Francis, set in a gorge where the saint himself would retreat to pray and where a small oratory has been dedicated to his memory. Optional loop walk on Monte Subasio. Descend back to Assisi.

You stay at the Hotel Fontebella Palace

Distance covered: 10mi (16km)

Activity hours: 5

Meals included: Breakfast

Walk through verdant olive groves on the slopes of Monte Subasio with stunning views of the lush Valley of Spoleto. The longer option takes you past the Abbey of San Benedetto through olive groves to Spello. Explore medieval Spello, its tiny cobbled streets resplendent with colourful flower boxes, before taking the train to Spoleto.

You stay at the Hotel San Luca

Distance covered: 11mi (18km)

Activity hours: 6

Meals included: Breakfast

Monte Luco, once considered a holy place in ancient times, is swathed with peaceful oak woods where hermits used to live. Follow the hermits’ path with opportunities to spot woodpeckers and porcupines, past a series of ancient hermitages to the Convent of San Francesco, said to have been founded by the famous saint.

You stay at the Hotel San Luca

Distance covered: 7mi (11km)

Activity hours: 4

Meals included: Breakfast

Transfer to Poreta, then follow the Sentiero degli Olivi through the typically Umbrian villages of Bazzano and Eggi, before joining St Francis’ Trail to the centre of Spoleto.

You stay at the Hotel San Luca

Distance covered: 9mi (15km)

Activity hours: 4.5

Meals included: Breakfast

The tour ends in Spoleto after breakfast

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Italy

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Italy. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html

Please note: it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times in Italy.

Vaccination

Italy

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

Food of the region is rustic and often called 'cucina povera'. Expect to try strangozzi pasta served with black truffles or a spicy tomato sauce, followed by simple grilled local meats and then a slice of pecorino cheese washed down with some of the superb Sagrantino di Montefalco wines. For a picnic lunch why not try the Umbrian staple, the porchetta sandwich - roast pig stuffed with herbs.

Weather

The dates run from May through to October which will take advantage of the nicest weather of the region. May and October have the lowest average temperature, with highs of around 22 degrees Celcius. In the morning and evenings the temperature may drop to as low as 13 degrees Celcius so it is worth having an extra layer for your top and bottom that you can take off as it warms up. October will also see more chance of rain. From June to September the temperatures will be much higher, rising to 35 degrees Celcius in July and August, with much lower chance of rain. The weather is always variable so this should be used as a guide only.

Is this trip for you?

Classification: Self-Guided
Average daily distance on move on days: 11km (7miles).
No. of days Walking: 5
Terrain: The paths you follow are generally waymarked and well maintained. As there are frequent ascents and descents, you need to be reasonably fit and confident.

Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can walk at your own pace.

It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.