Medieval Umbria - From Assisi to Spoleto

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival at Assisi
Your hotel is in the new part of town, only 900 meters from the historical center. Overnight in Assisi -/-/-

Day 2. Assisi - Spello
There are two routes to go to Spello: a longer one going uphill to the hermitage Eremo delle Carceri or a shorter one through olive groves along the slopes of Monte Subasio. From the porta Cappuccini a footpath will take you to the hermitage, which is situated at 830m a.s.l. Saint Francis and his companions used to retreat here to meditate in the woods. After St. Francis’s death, a monastery was built on this spot. Passing the spring ‘Tre Fontane’ and the abbey of S. Benedetto you will descend to Spello, walking first through the woods and then through olive groves. B/-/-

Option 1: From the porta Cappuccini, a footpath will take you to the hermitage, which is situated at 830m a.s.l. Saint Francis and his companions used to retreat here to meditate in the woods. After St. Francis’s death, a monastery was built on this spot. Passing the spring ‘Tre Fontane’ and the abbey of S. Benedetto you will descend to Spello, walking first through the woods and then through olive groves. B/-/-
(Walking: 6 hours, 17,4 km, ascent/descent: 788 m/870 m)

Option 2: The lower route follows the slopes of Mount Subasio and involves less climbing, but it is also a beautiful walk through olive groves with astounding views. Spello is built on the slopes of Mount Subasio. This little town has Roman origins, as several features including the porta Venere and porta Consolare town gates and the remains of a Roman theatre outside the town walls remind us. Do not forget to admire the colorful frescoes by Pinturicchio in the church of S. Maria Maggiore. B/-/-
(Walking: 3 hours, 10,8 km, ascent/descent: 270 m/359 m)

Day 3. Spello - Bevagna
You will leave the hills for a while now and will descend into the valley ‘Valle Umbra.’ Walking on quiet little country roads, you will arrive in Bevagna, which, unlike most Umbrian towns, isn’t built on a hilltop but rather at the confluence of the rivers Timia and Topino. During Roman times, Bevagna was a prosperous town, as it was situated along the busy trade road, the Via Flaminia, which connected Rome with the Adriatic coast. Particularly characteristic are the 2km of 13th to 14th century town walls which surround most of Bevagna. The heart of this town is the square, ‘Piazza Silvestri’, with its beautiful fountain and two Romanesque churches. Do not forget to visit the mosaic of former Roman baths. Your hotel is in the historic center of the village. B/-/-
(Walking: 4 1/2 hours, 16,5 km, ascent/descent: 81 m/176 m)

Day 4. Bevagna - Montefalco
Here, you will again be walking through a slightly hilly landscape, but the olive groves soon make way for vineyards. The hills surrounding Montefalco are famous for producing excellent wines: Sagrantino and Rosso di Montefalco. To reach the town, you have to climb because Montefalco is predictable and built on a hilltop. The town is also known as the balcony (‘ringhiera’) of Umbria because of its beautiful panorama. The St. Francis church is now a fine museum that houses, among other things, frescoes by the Florentine painter Benozzo Gozzoli. Do not forget to taste some delicious wine in one of the many bars. B/-/-
(Walking: 4 hours 10 min, 12,5 km, ascent/descent: 395 m/166 m)

Day 5. Montefalco - Trevi
On the way to Trevi (420m a.s.l.), on the lower flank of Mt. Serano overlooking the wide plain of the Clitunno River, your route crosses the fertile valley with its various waterways. Trevi is also called the capital of olive oil, and indeed, you will notice that the slopes of the surrounding mountains are covered with evergreen olive groves. Trevi has a dozen medieval churches: the most important is the Romanesque Duomo (S. Emiliano), the shrine of the Madonna delle Lacrime notable for a fresco by Perugino, and the former church of S. Francesco, now a museum. You will stay in the historic center of the town. B/-/-
(Walking: 4 hours, 13,5 km, ascent/descent: 250 m/305 m)

Day 6. Trevi - Campello Alto
From Trevi, you will pick up the pilgrimage route, the Way of Saint Francis, which runs from La Verna in Tuscany, crosses Umbria, and finishes in Rome. The route will lead you through olive groves, and you will have astonishing views of the Valle Umbra. You will stay overnight in Campello Alto in an ex-monastery, a Relais (upgrading), or close by in a ** star hotel. B/-/D
Walking: 4 hours (Borgo Campello); 4 hours 30 min (Fontanelle)
Distance: 10,3 km (Relais Borgo Campello) or 12,3 km (hotel le Fontanelle)/depending on your hotel location/
Ascent/ Descent: 432m/358m (Relais Borgo Campello Alto) or 593m/359m (Hotel le Fontanelle Campello Alto)

Day 7.  Campello Alto - Spoleto
You leave your hotel and walk again along the Way of Saint Francis. Also, today, the olive groves will accompany you. You cross Eggi, a typical medieval ‘Borgo,’ and you will reach Spoleto, a pretty hill town filled with beautiful architecture. It is famous for the Spoleto Festival, which takes place every summer (end of June, beginning of July). In Spoleto, the cathedral, the castle, a Roman house, the Roman theatre, and many museums are worth visiting. But Spoleto is art, culture, food & wine! The town has nice shops with fantastic local products, many cozy bars, terraces, and excellent restaurants. B/-/-/
Walking: 5 hours 10 min (Campello Alto) or 5 hours 50 min (Le Fontanelle) 
Distance: 17,5 km (Campello Alto) or 19 km (Le Fontanelle) /depending on your hotel location/
Ascent/ Descent: 541m/664m (Campello alto) or 487m/771m  (Le Fontanelle)

Day 8. Departure
The tour ends after breakfast. Optional transfer from Spoleto to Assisi can be arranged. B/-/-

Recommended travel period of the year: Daily from April till the end of October

Necessary equipment: sturdy walking boots and socks, a small rucksack, a water bottle with at least 1 litre capacity, sunglasses, sunhat, sun cream, rainwear, and insect repellent.