Unknown Umbria & Spoleto – Independent
This route takes you through southeast Umbria, an area removed from the more famous centres of Assisi and Perugia. Historically inaccessible, it has remained significantly unspoiled. This is an area of outstanding natural beauty with picturesque towns and villages.
Norcia, the ‘black truffle centre of Italy’, nestles on an agricultural plain at the foot of the Monti Sibillini. These rounded green mountains encircle the ‘Piano Grande’ - a vast, high, mountain plain with wildflowers in abundance in spring - and its tiny settlement of Castelluccio. From Norcia, the landscape remains mountainous, ever beautiful, but is more wooded, the valleys gradually more populated. Pass through towns and villages revered for their religious associations, chestnut and olive groves, vineyards and farmhouses, en route to Spoleto, a town dominated by a 14th-century fortress and stunning aqueduct.
Duration: 8 days
Itinerary
Historic walled town, birthplace of St Benedict and renowned for its much-cherished gastronomic speciality – the truffle. Stay in a central 4-star restored palazzo with Michelin-starred restaurant.
Mentioned by Virgil and the birthplace of St Benedict, the unique character and charm of this historic walled town has been compromised for the time being by the earthquake damage it suffered in 2016 and the reconstruction work now underway. It is nevertheless superbly situated within the Monti Sibillini National Park and is still much renowned for its gastronomic speciality – the black truffle – and its pork butchers!
Elegantly restored, modern hotel in town centre, with spa
Elegantly restored palazzo in town centre, with *Michelin restaurant
Free day around Norcia: Perhaps travel by road to the tiny, ruined settlement of Castelluccio (4,000 ft) and walk across the Piano Grande, the most inspiring highland plain in Europe, then back down to Norcia (9.7 miles, 5 hours). Alternatively, explore Norcia, its central piazza with church of Saint Benedict (480-543 AD) and medieval town walls.
Sitting high up in the Appennine mountains, within the beautiful Monti Sibillini National Park, this tiny farming settlement was severely damaged by the 2016 earthquake. It bears the accolade of being the highest village in peninsular Italy and is famous for its cultivation of a tiny and tasty lentil, grown extensively on the fertile slopes of the Piano Grande (great plain) beneath the village.
Elegantly restored, modern hotel in town centre, with spa
Elegantly restored palazzo in town centre, with *Michelin restaurant
Follow farm tracks across low hills to the small town of Cascia, famed for its association with the very popular Saint Rita (patron saint of desperate causes) and dominated by an expansively frescoed modern basilica erected by Mussolini in her honour. From Cascia, follow an ancient pilgrim path along the gorge to Roccaporena, birthplace of Saint Rita (12.6 miles, 7.5 hours). Simple but comfortable 2-star accommodation.
A picturesque village, situated up the valley from the larger town of Cascia. Both centres are much visited by pilgrims as, respectively, the birthplace and subsequent home of St Rita, the patron saint of desperate causes and one of Italy’s best loved! There are many sites dedicated to the saint in both towns, including an enormous white basilica built by Mussolini in her honour, its exuberantly frescoed walls house the immaculate remains of Saint Rita.
Basic rooms in pilgrim hotel
Cross hills with oak woods famous for their truffles to Gavelli, with a church containing fine frescoes restored by the ATG Trust. Follow an old (dirt) road steeply down the valley to Scheggino or, alternatively, take a gentler route via the hamlet of Caso (12.4 miles direct or 13 miles via Caso, 6.5 hours). Stay in a 4* hotel in medieval Scheggino. Choice of restaurants (one award-winning).
Dominated by its ruined castle walls, this medieval village also houses a 13th-century church with paintings by Lo Spagna. All the more picturesque for its position on the fast-flowing River Nera and for the tiny canals, constructed for early cottage industries, which criss-cross the village. At weekends, visit the Truffle Museum, run by a local family and offering a charming insight into this local speciality.
Boutique hotel and spa in lovely setting
Upgrade option is a deluxe room
Optional walk along the Nera Valley (Valnerina) to the superb monastery of San Pietro in Valle (currently closed for renovation work), founded in the 5th century, with frescoes, Roman decorative fragments and sarcophagi of 8th century Lombard dukes (6.3 miles, 2.5 hrs one way). Return to Scheggino.
Boutique hotel and spa in lovely setting
Upgrade option is a deluxe room
Follow ‘the Path of Pope Pius IX’ along a valley, then climb up, in and out of woods, to a ridge with fine views of the surrounding hills, before descending, via chestnut woods and olive groves, to Spoleto (8.3 miles, 4.5 hours). 3-star hotel or upgrade to an elegant palazzo hotel, both situated in the medieval centre.
Once a Roman stronghold, Spoleto went on to become the seat of one of the most powerful states in Italy – the Lombard Kingdom - and later a Papal stronghold. The town is dominated by a 14th-century fortress (now a museum) and stunning aqueduct, but also boasts a beautiful Romanesque cathedral with fine frescoes and some good Roman remains. There are some excellent restaurants here to suit every budget, offering an outstanding array of typical Umbrian cuisine.
Friendly, comfortable hotel in quiet medieval quarter
Elegant hotel in converted palazzo
Explore the medieval city (optional city walk provided, taking you on a route past the key sights), its 12th-century cathedral with Renaissance frescoes by Fra Filippo Lippi, and important Romanesque churches. The Spoleto festival takes place in the first two weeks of July.
Friendly, comfortable hotel in quiet medieval quarter
Elegant hotel in converted palazzo
Trip Planner
Walking & Terrain
Walking: Moderate to challenging. he walk lengths vary from 2.5 hours to a maximum of 6.5 hours. Hours of walking, which may vary from group to group, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas.
Terrain: Woodland, sheep and mule tracks, dirt roads and ways over high, open grassland with wide views. On certain days the walk takes you into the hills where the paths cross a more rugged terrain – please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient ankle support. There is quite a lot of steep up and down on this trip. There is a potentially vertiginous section on the path between Cascia and Roccaporena, which skirts high above the river valley. If you suffer severely from vertigo, please discuss with your Route Manager who will be able to advise an alternative road option.
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.
Walking & Terrain
Walking: Moderate to challenging. he walk lengths vary from 2.5 hours to a maximum of 6.5 hours. Hours of walking, which may vary from group to group, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas.
Terrain: Woodland, sheep and mule tracks, dirt roads and ways over high, open grassland with wide views. On certain days the walk takes you into the hills where the paths cross a more rugged terrain – please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient ankle support. There is quite a lot of steep up and down on this trip. There is a potentially vertiginous section on the path between Cascia and Roccaporena, which skirts high above the river valley. If you suffer severely from vertigo, please discuss with your Route Manager who will be able to advise an alternative road option.
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.
Additional activities available locally
This is a wonderful area offering additional local experiences - some can be booked to fit in with itinerary, whilst for others you may wish to customise your trip to have an extra leisurely day or two to enjoy.
Additional activities are paid for locally and can be booked via your Route Manager who will contact you 2 weeks prior to departure.
Additional activities for the free day in Norcia
SPA/Massage at Casa Bianconi hotel and Palazzo Seneca
Truffle hunting - 220€ for up to 3 people or 300€ 4-6 people, including transfer and translator (not available on Sundays)
Cookery demonstration/lesson at Vespasia Michelin star restaurant. Cost 130€/person for morning cookery session including homemade pasta. (not available on Wednesdays or Sundays)
Additional activities for the free day in Scheggino:
Rafting along the Nera river. 35€ for a CLASSIC tour (allow 2 hours) or 45€ for the ADVENTURE tour (allow 3 hours)
Bike Hire, hire an electric bike to cycle along the river and onto the Marmore Waterfalls. 40€/person up to 4 hours (half day) or 50€/person for full day (cycle helmet included)
Urbani Truffle museum – celebrating the history of the truffle and 5 generations of the Urbani family
Massage/spa available at Hotel Torre della Nera (various prices)
There’s plenty to explore in Spoleto including:
The Cathedral (including the Renaissance frescos by Filippo Lippi, the Eroli chapel by Pinturicchio and a XII century wooden crucifix by Alberto Sotio)
Eufemia church (one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture) and the adjecient Museo Diocesano
Roman house (a great example of a roman house)
Roman theatre and archaeogical museum
The Rocca di Albornoz fortress and its National Museum of Duchy of Spoleto
ATG offers a number of self-guided city walks designed to take in the main cultural attractions of the town.
Your Personal ATG Route Manager
Discover the magic of Umbria region with me. Walk ancient paths and medieval streets, explore frescoed chapels and silent monasteries, and breathe the fresh mountain air with amazing views. Taste truffles, fine cured meats, and regional wines while embracing the slower rhythm of authentic Italian life. I look forward to welcoming you!
Route Book
The ATG Route Book is a detailed, day-to-day guide. The book anticipates your needs with easy-to-follow instructions, maps, plans and other information that will guide you to discover the best that the area has to offer and is the key to the success of an independent holiday with us.
Walking App
Your Route Manager can provide you with a link to download an app to your smartphone. This app provides the GPS track for your route on your phone. You can use this digital support to find your position and navigate the route, even without an internet connection or mobile phone reception.
Accommodation & Meals
You can expect each hotel to be one of the most characteristic, comfortable and best located for travellers on foot, with the character and sometimes the standard varying from place to place.
Star ratings indicate official classification, although many delightful places have no star rating. In more remote areas hotels may be of a generally lower standard in relation to their ‘star ratings’.
Single travellers are accommodated in double rooms for single occupancy for a supplemental charge.
On this route, upgraded accommodation is available at some overnight stops, as specified on the itinerary.
Breakfast is included and there are suggestions in the Route Book about where to buy provisions for a picnic lunch, as well as restaurant recommendations. Dining options often include a choice of restaurants that can be pre-booked for you by your Route Manager.
Food & Wine
A temperate climate produces an abundance of fruit and vegetables whilst its rolling grass uplands have, since Neolithic times, provided grazing for herds of sheep, pigs and cattle. In the streams and rivers are fish, notably an abundance of trout. Norcia is traditionally famous for producing some of the tastiest salamis in Italy. However, Umbria’s most prized speciality is the black truffle. Notable local wines are the fruity yet delicate Trebbiano Spoletino and the high-quality red wines of the DOC vineyards of Montefalco (Rosso and Sagrantino di Montefalco). The Route Book contains a section on the cuisine and wines of the region, and a list of recommended restaurants en route. The Route Manager will be pleased to help you with any queries, requests or advice.
History
Waves of peoples have left their mark on the region. Traces of Stone Age settlements have been found as well as the remains of later tribal settlements. Umbria became a prosperous region under the Romans, favoured as a retreat from the city and as a retirement destination. After the fall of the Roman empire and barbarian invasions, the Lombards ruled, followed by power struggles over the region between the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor. Roman and Lombard relics, ancient abbeys, early fresco cycles, Romanesque architecture and Renaissance art all bear witness to this. The Route Book provides a detailed account of the history of the region.
Flora & Fauna
Umbria, ‘the green heart of Italy’, has been renowned for its beauty since Roman times. The region contains a huge variety of landscapes, criss-crossed by numerous rivers and lakes, providing an ideal habitat for abundant flora and fauna. This route starts within the Monti Sibillini National Park, an impressive mountainous landscape with a rich biodiversity. In the spring there are superb wildflowers with lots of mountain varieties, mostly at their best from mid to late May. From mid-June into July, colourful summer flowers bloom in profusion on the Piano Grande, a vast grassy plain flanked by the peaks of the Sibillini mountains. You may spot birds of prey including lesser kestrels, peregrine falcons and the occasional golden eagle. Our Route Book provides further detail while apps such as ‘LeafSnap’, ‘Flora Incognita’, ‘ChirpOMatic’ and child-friendly ‘Seek by iNaturalist’ can identify the flora and fauna en route.
Travel arrangements
Travel arrangements, including flights, for ATG Independent Footloose trips should be made independently.
Outward travel to Norcia:
From Rome airports, take the shuttle train or bus to Roma Termini, a city centre rail station. From here there are regular, direct trains to Spoleto (journey time approx. 1hr 30). From Spoleto, take an onward bus (journey time approx. 50 mins) or taxi to Norcia.
From Perugia airport, take a bus or taxi to the central station in Perugia (journey time approx. 20 mins). From here there are direct and indirect trains to Spoleto (journey time approx. 1 to 1.5 hrs). From Spoleto, take an onward bus (journey time approx. 50 mins) or taxi to Norcia.
Return travel from Spoleto:
To Rome airports. There are several daily trains from Spoleto to train stations in Rome (journey time approx. 1hr 40 mins), from where you can connect with a shuttle train or bus to the airports.
To Perugia airport. There are direct and indirect trains from Spoleto to Perugia (journey time approx. 1 to 1.5hrs), then catch a bus or taxi from Perugia station to the airport.
Trip Options & Prices
Overview
This 8 day independent walking tour starts from the Monti Sibillini National Park in southeast Umbria. Keen walkers will enjoy 6 days of excellent walking including an unforgettable walk in the Piano Grande. Discover unspoilt mountainous landscapes, delicious Umbrian cuisine and historic Spoleto on this fine Apennine walk in central Italy.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Norcia*
Day 2: Norcia* - free day
Day 3: Norcia to Roccaporena
Day 4: Roccaporena to Scheggino*
Day 5: Scheggino* - free day
Day 6: Scheggino to Spoleto*
Day 7: Spoleto* - free day
Day 8: Departure
*The upgrade price option includes upgrades at these locations
Prices (per person)
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.
Your Route Manager will be able to tell you about three ATG Trust projects on this route: The restoration of the fresco in the right apse of the Romanesque Abbey of San Pietro entitled ‘Madonna & Saints’, dating from XIV century, the restoration of a fine cycle of frescos by Lo Spagna 1518 in the church in Gavelli and the restoration of eroded parts of pathway, dating back to the period pre S Benedict (5C), linking the town of Norcia with the 13thC Abbey of S Eutizio. This was one of the first projects undertaken by the ATG Trust which was set up in 2000.
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