Hidden Umbria Walk

8 Days from

USD 1,849

Walking & Trekking

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Activity Levels :

3 out of 7 - Moderate

Group Size :

Ages :

12+

Trip Code :

W07UB

This 7-night linear trip is a fantastic mix of wonderfully scenic walking, historic towns and panoramic hilltop villages.

The walks follow a mix of quiet country lanes, paths and trails, using in part the St Francis' Way - so called after the route the saint took on his final visit to Assisi in 1226 - and the 'Sentiero degli Ulivi', the Olive Grove Trail. Along the way, admire the stunning valley vistas from the slopes of the 'bald mountain' Monte Subasio, discover the secluded hermitage of St Francis nestled amongst ancient oak forest, pass through olive groves that date as far back as Roman times and wander around the evocative centro storico of the walled town of Bevagna.

You stay in beautiful medieval towns including Assisi, 'the town of St Francis' with its UNESCO-listed basilica; flower bedecked Spello, which lies on the other side of Mount Subasio from Assisi; Montefalco, the famous wine village standing on its hill overlooking the Umbrian plain and Spoleto - the town of the amphitheatre and aqueduct. The walking is beautifully unhurried, leaving you plenty of time for independent exploration of these lesser known Umbrian gems.

Highlights

Ancient pilgrimage trails, boundless olives groves, verdant vineyards, flower filled towns, panoramic medieval villages
UNESCO Assisi, vibrant Foligno, spectacular Spoleto, historic Bevagna
Stay in the famous wine village of Montefalco - the Balcony of Umbria
Impressive limestone gorges, rare flora and fauna in the Monte Subasio Natural Park
Superb regional cuisine: highly prized black truffles, the finest of olive oils, famous Sagrantino wines

Key Information

7 nights hotel-to-hotel in HHH, 3 star and 4 star accommodation
8 day land only / flight inclusive
6 days walking, with shorter options on 2 days
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 Included

7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of HHH, 3 star and 4 star accommodation
All continental breakfasts and 1 evening meal
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walking transfer on day 6

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Solo traveller supplements (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
Visas or vaccinations
Local city tax
Train from Spello to Foligno (2€ per person)

6 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

18 km / 11.2 miles

Day 3

20 km / 12.4 miles

Day 4

13 km / 8.1 miles

Day 5

9 km / 5.6 miles

Day 6

11 km / 6.8 miles

Day 7

18 km / 11.2 miles

Itinerary

Explore the UNESCO St Francis' basilica and the town's many other sights.

Set off across the olive grove clad slopes of Monte Subasio, enjoying the gorgeous view below. If doing the longer option, pause at the Hermitage of St Francis, the saint's historic retreat, before traversing a mountain trail to Spello, the town of flowers, famous for its annual Infiorita festival when the streets are carpeted in colourful floral mosaics.

A shorter optional walk is also available.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Follow a beautiful path along a Roman aqueduct to the cobbled streets of the hilltop, pink hued village of Collepino. Then it's downhill through olive groves back to Spello before taking a train to Foligno. Alternatively, continue along the historic St Francis' Trail all the way to Foligno.

A shorter optional walk is also available.

Meals Included: Breakfast

There's ample time to discover the ancient market town of Foligno with its Romanesque cathedral, evocative Trinci Palace and many museums. Then walk along the Topino river across the lush valley, with gorgeous views of Montefalco, to the walled town of Bevagna, home to the 13th century Gothic Palazzo dei Consoli, the golden theatre and Roman temple and baths.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Make your way through a patchwork of olive groves and vineyards to the hilltop wine village of Montefalco. Wander round its medieval streets, admire the superb views and enjoy wine tasting in one of the many Sagrantino wineries.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer to Trevi. Discover this old theatre town with remnants of the Mura Romana (Roman Wall) and Mura Medieval (Medieval Wall) still encircling the town. Then join the ancient St Francis' Trail to amble along to the hillside church of Madonna di San Arcangelo. Pass the secretive Eremo Francescano (Convento Pissignano) before heading to your hotel in the pretty village of Campello Alto.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Pick up the St Francis' Trail as you make your way through olive groves and tiny medieval villages to Spoleto. Discover the town's Roman arch, 12th century Duomo and 14th century viaduct.

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: 15km (9.5miles).
No. of days Walking: 6
Terrain: Low altitude (max 800m). Average 3.5-4hr walking daily. The routes and paths you follow are generally well maintained but may be uneven. As there are frequent ascents and descents, which are steep in places, you need to be reasonably fit and confident. Walking boots are essential and walking poles are recommended (but only if you already use them).

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.

Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Availability

This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.