Montefeltro & Urbino – Independent
Locked between the Apennines and the Adriatic coast, the region of Le Marche has remained unchanged over the centuries. This was formerly the seat of Federico da Montefeltro, who presided over one of the most influential courts of Renaissance Europe.
The walk sweeps across the northernmost corner of the region, following in the footsteps of the Dukes of Montefeltro. From their beginnings as the Counts of Carpegna near San Leo in the 10th century, pass through their former strongholds and battlefields, culminating in their greatest achievement, the glorious court of Urbino. The grand ducal palace houses an impressive gallery containing some of the most important Renaissance artworks in the world.
The route takes you along ridges with wide views and a profusion of flowers and butterflies in spring.
Duration: 8 or 9 days
Itinerary
A scenic walk from the valley, along strade bianche, leads up to the fortified medieval village of San Leo, with its 9th century church, 12th century Romanesque cathedral and impressive castle (2.9 or 5.3 miles, 1.5 or 3 hours). Family-run hotel accommodation in town centre.
NB: The taxi driver can drop you at the start of this optional walk en route to San Leo and take your luggage on to the first hotel.
Perched on a seemingly impregnable precipice, San Leo is best known for its medieval citadel and fortifications. Visit the fortress (where Cagliostro, the 18th-century Italian occultist was imprisoned), the civic museum, the cathedral and the 9th century parish church. In San Leo, you can buy pecorino cheese wrapped in walnut leaves, handmade maiolica ceramics and salami.
Hotel ‘Diffuso’ – accommodation spread over several dwellings in the town centre
Small lanes and tracks through farmland and woods with fine views over the Marecchia Valley lead to Pennabilli. This delightful village is set in the heart of Sasso Simone and Simoncello Natural Park. It has a charming historical centre, wonderful views and a Michelin-star restaurant (11.8 miles, 6.5 hours). Stay in a 4-star central hotel with pool and spa.
A peaceful town with a number of interesting museums and a lively international performing arts festival in June with street performers, craft markets and food stalls.
Centrally located, modern hotel with pool
Farm tracks through woods and pastures ascend towards high meadows on top of Monte Carpegna (4,634 ft), with spectacular views, before descending through pine woods to the village of Carpegna. Continue to your country hotel near Frontino (12.6 miles, 7 hours).
A quaint and unspoilt cluster of houses with a small modern art museum. The convent of Montefiorentino is nearby, with its delightful cloister and Madonna by Giovanni Santi, father of Raphael.
Converted farmhouse in lovely setting, with pool
Optional circular walk through oak woods to the ‘floating rocks’ of Sasso Simone and Simoncello on top of which, enjoying panoramic views, are remains of a fortified town, ‘City of the Sun’, commissioned by Cosimo I de
Medici, first Grand Duke of Tuscany (10/12 mile option, 5/6 hours)
Converted farmhouse in lovely setting, with pool
Tracks lead to the fortified medieval village of Frontino and the monastery of Montefiorentino with its cloister and Madonna by Giovanni Santi, father of Raphael. Continue along farm and forest tracks down to the small town of Piandimeleto, distinguished by its fine castle complex (10.3 miles, 5 hours). Simple but friendly 2-star hotel.
A village with an interesting old centre focused around the 15th-century castle of the Counts of Oliva. The castle can be visited upon request and houses several interesting museums on farming and natural history.
Simple, friendly, family-run hotel
Follow farm tracks up into the hills, enjoying panoramic views. Beyond a ridge (1,602ft), follow tracks and small gravel lanes through open farmland and down to Urbania (917ft) and your farmhouse accommodation with lovely views (12.3 miles, 6 hours).
This unpretentious market town was formerly the seat of the Dukes of Montefeltro. Tour the Ducal Palace, which has countless regal rooms, collections of ceramics and paintings. There is also a museum on the agricultural history of the region and a large number of churches, one housing a collection of mummies!
Agriturismo: Farmhouse with lovely views
Visit Urbania with its arcaded streets, fine 15th century Ducal Palace, ceramics museum and many interesting churches. Quiet gravel lanes then lead across hills, past farms and isolated churches, to Urbino (1,575ft). Centrally located 3-star hotel or upgrade to a 4-star hotel opposite the Ducal Palace (12.6 miles, 6.5 hours).
This hilltop city has a powerful history and was once one of the most prestigious courts in Europe. There are several delicatessens in Urbino selling truffles, oils and many of the local wines that you may have tried over the week. Urbino also prides itself on its ceramics.
Comfortable hotel in historic centre
Restored 15th century convent opposite the Palazzo Ducale
Visit the superb palace built by Duke Federico da Montefeltro, with paintings by Piero della Francesca, Raphael, Paolo Uccello, etc.
Urbino's historic centre, a UNESCO world heritage site is rich in history and Renaissance art. Visit the magnificent Ducal Palace of Federico da Montefeltro, which now houses an impressive museum and national gallery, renowned for its fabulous architectural features and remarkable collection of Renaissance paintings, including works by Piero della Francesca, Raphael, Uccello and Gentile da Fabriano.
Comfortable hotel in historic centre
Restored 15th century convent opposite the Palazzo Ducale
Trip Planner
Walking & Terrain
Walking: Moderate to challenging. Walk lengths vary from 1.5 hours to a maximum of 6.5 hours of walking. Hours of walking, which may vary from individual to individual, means
hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas.
This trip offers ridge walks and some challenging climbs and descents. Monte Carpegna is the highest point, reaching 1,400 metres above sea level. The descent is initially a little exposed with a good but narrow path that zig-zags down a steep hillside. There is an alternative low-level route on this day.
Terrain: Follow a variety of paths including farm and forest tracks, rocky mule trails, grassy ridges and small, gravel roads (strade bianche). On certain days the terrain is more rugged, including rougher walking across fields – please make sure that your foot wear provides sufficient ankle support.
All ATG trips include facilities and options so that you can arrange to walk as much or as little as you like – or not at all - and your Route Manager will be able to advise you on public transport or taxi options.
Trip Options & Prices
Overview
This 8 day independent walking tour in The Marche starts in the spectacularly situated San Leo and offers 5 days walking culminating in two nights in Unesco listed Urbino with its Renaissance Ducal Palace and art treasures. Enjoy a week of scenic walking and discovery as you follow in the footsteps of Federico Duke of Montefeltro (please note the 8 day itinerary includes 1 night in Le Querce).
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in San Leo
Day 2: San Leo to Pennabilli
Day 3: Pennabilli to Locanda Le Querce (near Frontino)
Day 4: Locanda Le Querce to Piandimeleto
Day 5: Piandimeleto to Urbania
Day 6: Urbania to Urbino*
Day 7: Urbino* - free day
Day 8: Departure
*The upgrade price option includes an upgrade in Urbino
Prices (per person)
Overview
This 9 day independent walking tour in the Marche includes everything on the 8 day itinerary plus a second night in Le Querce. Keen walkers will enjoy an additional walk through the regional park of Sasso Simone and Simoncello which offers fine views or alternatively there are a number of other local activities available in Le Querce (see add-ons).
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in San Leo
Day 2: San Leo to Pennabilli
Day 3: Pennabilli to Locanda Le Querce (near Frontino)
Day 4: Le Quere - free day
Day 5: Locanda Le Querce to Piandimeleto
Day 6: Piandimeleto to Urbania
Day 7: Urbania to Urbino*
Day 8: Urbino* - free day
Day 9: Departure
*The upgrade price option includes an upgrade in Urbino
Prices (per person)
Our Independent Footloose itineraries have the flexibility to be customised if you would like to spend more time in any of the places en route; perhaps to incorporate some of the add-ons available locally or just to create a more relaxed pace to your holiday.
If you wish to build your own itinerary please complete our customise form and our Sales team will provide you with a bespoke quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
On each route there is an ATG Route Manager, who is there to take care of all the practicalities and ensure the success of your trip. Route Managers have all been ATG-trained, speak English and the language of the country fluently, and live in the local area. Your Route Manager will make contact with you a couple of weeks prior to departure (usually by email) and will then meet you at the start of your trip and will be available during your trip to move your luggage from hotel to hotel, provide local information, make restaurant reservations and do everything possible to ensure that you derive maximum enjoyment from your holiday.
Please let us know about any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that our Route Manager can ensure that you are catered for during your holiday. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our trips and the Route Manager can discuss your requirements in more detail with you at the start of your trip.
The walks are graded according to difficulty but you can walk as much or as little as you like.
Easy: walking along well-established paths and tracks with some short ascents/descents. These trips are suitable for most people who enjoy occasional exercise.
Easy to Moderate: walking along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces. Ascents/descents up to 1 hour. These trips are suitable for most people who have a reasonable level of fitness.
Moderate: walking along a variety of paths and tracks. Occasional uneven areas. Ascents/descents 1-2 hours. These trips are suitable for those who have a reasonable to good level of fitness.
Moderate to Challenging: walking along varied paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents/descents of 2-3 hours. These trips are suitable for more experienced walkers who have a good level of fitness.
If you are planning to take an Independent trip as a single traveller, we would ask you to consider the potential dangers of walking alone before making a booking and if necessary discuss this with our Sales team.
Single travellers will be booked into a double room which will carry a single occupancy supplement.
Flights are not included in the price of your ATG holiday and should be booked independently.
The trips in our Independent programme make ideal family holidays for those with children who are old enough (and keen enough!) to enjoy a walking holiday or young enough to be carried in a backpack.
You would need to consider costs for lunches (either a picnic style lunch or lunch in a café as you prefer) and evening meals. Where an evening meal is included at a hotel this is indicated on the trip page. For evening meals not included, the route book provides restaurant recommendations to suit a wide range of budgets. You would also need to factor in any entrance fees to museums, churches, galleries and other sightseeing costs, items of a personal nature, shopping expenditure and transport if you choose to not to walk on some days.
Tourist Tax
This tax is charged per guest per night and the rate is determined by the local council based on the star rating of the accommodation. The rate usually varies from €2 up to €5 per person per night, although the rate can be higher in major cities. This tax is not included in the price of your holiday but where applicable will be payable direct to your hotel in cash.
We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension hotel booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.
ATG does not provide any form of insurance cover. However, it is a condition of booking that you have fully comprehensive insurance cover, including:
Cancellation/curtailment up to the cost of the holiday (preferably including flights)
Medical emergencies and repatriation
Travel delay / missed departure
Lost or stolen personal belongings
Personal liability
Legal expenses
Natural Disasters
Although most credit card companies offer travel insurance as something that is included when paying the balance with the card, it may be advisable to check that the cover offered is what you expect it to be. Very few companies include cancellation and curtailment or medical expenses. Whatever the insurance policy you have taken out, please read the documentation carefully. Please ensure also that you take it with you on your trip and refer to it in the case of any claim or emergency.
Yes, please click here for what to bring. A packing checklist is also included with your booking confirmation.
Sustainability
ATG was founded on principles of conservation and sustainable development. It was the first company to win the tourism industry’s two top awards: Tourism for Tomorrow (UK) and the World Legacy Award (National Geographic and Conservation International USA) and also the first to have an accredited Environmental Management System.
Everyone who walks with ATG contributes to the ATG Trust, which funds projects that benefit local communities in the regions visited. By supporting these initiatives, ATG promotes sustainable tourism. Past projects have included heritage restoration projects, environmental conservation and educational projects.
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