The beauty of Umbria is seductive and at times idyllic. The secret lies in the splendid balance between man and nature, in the bond that Umbrians have always had with their land and their rich past, from the wild mountaineering area of the Sibillini National Park to the beautiful countryside of Spoleto. Legend has it that in Sibyl's cave, situated on Monte Sibilla in the Sibillini National Park, there lived a "great prophetess who seldom revealed her benevolent secrets". Necromancers and knights errant came from all over Europe on exhausting journeys in the hope of a few wise words from Sibyl. Today, getting information is much easier... and visitors come to the area to enjoy the wild nature, the beauty of the landscape and to savour the traditional flavours.
Highlights:
- The wilderness of the Central Apennines- The medieval towns of Norcia and Spoleto
- The old traditions and local cuisine
Day 1: Arrival to Norcia
Arrival at Rome airport. Welcome and transfer by private bus to the region of Sibillini (3hrs 30min) at the feet of the imposing Mt Patino. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel***.
Day 2: Castelluccio Planes (5hrs walking, +450m -450m)
Today we start our discovery walk from the village of Castelluccio. The route climbs the mountain, allowing you to enjoy the panoramic views over the plains of Castelluccio, to Norcia and the southern ranges of the Monti Sibillini. The fascinating landscape of Castelluccio, magical and unique in its beauty, takes on fantastic and almost surreal characteristics from the end of May to the beginning of July, when the plains become a sea of colour, thanks to the spontaneous blooms of the wild flowers, which grow alongside the cultivated and prized lentils.
Day 3: Walking to the Campiano valley (4hrs walking +350m – 210m)
The itinerary crosses an area where cultivated fields alternate with exuberant oak woods. Particularly interesting species of wildlife can be found here, such as the elusive wild cat and the roe deer, which at sunset can be seen grazing at the edges of the woodland, and the woodpecker, whose presence is easily recognized thanks to the unmistakable sounds of it drumming on the trunks of trees. There is also the Abbazia di S. Eutizio, which has been the heart and soul of the life and culture of this area for centuries.
Day 4: The Gorge of Hell (5hrs walking +450m – 450m)
Private transfer to Rubbiano. The route covers several different landscapes in a short time. You go through the Gorge of Hell to the centuries‐old beech woods of San Leonardo to reach the monastery built in the 10th and 11th centuries. From here, you have an amazing view of the Tenna valley. At the end of the walk, a transfer will bring you to the next hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Fiastra.
Day 5: On the North Side of the Sibillini Range (5hrs walking +200m – 650m)
The journey continues across the meadows on the north side of the National park, famous for its fine wild flowers. From the Agriturismo to Fiastra's Lake, the path offers excellent views of the Lake of Fiastrone and the rugged valley of the same name. Dinner and overnight stay in Fiastra.
Day 6: Fiastra - Cupi (5hrs walking +730m – 400m)
Today's walk starts from the farm heading along a dirt road, with some beautiful views across the Fiastrone valley and its lake. The trail continues on an easy mountain path up to the small village of Cupi Visso, a shepherd's village where we have the possibility to take part in the preparation of local sheep and ricotta cheese. Short transfer back to the Agriturismo.
Day 7: Spoleto (5hrs walking +430m – 350m)
Private transfer (1hr 30min) to the start of the hike. From the Nera valley, we follow the route of a disused but once famous railway, a remarkable example of 19th C engineering. We cross a pass before descending through chestnut woods, farmland and olive groves to enter Spoleto across the imposing "Ponte delle Torri", the most elegant approach on foot to any city in Italy.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, individual departures by train to Rome (2hrs)
Arrival at Rome airport. Welcome and transfer by private bus to the region of Sibillini (3hrs 30min) at the feet of the imposing Mt Patino. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel***.
Day 2: Castelluccio Planes (5hrs walking, +450m -450m)
Today we start our discovery walk from the village of Castelluccio. The route climbs the mountain, allowing you to enjoy the panoramic views over the plains of Castelluccio, to Norcia and the southern ranges of the Monti Sibillini. The fascinating landscape of Castelluccio, magical and unique in its beauty, takes on fantastic and almost surreal characteristics from the end of May to the beginning of July, when the plains become a sea of colour, thanks to the spontaneous blooms of the wild flowers, which grow alongside the cultivated and prized lentils.
Day 3: Walking to the Campiano valley (4hrs walking +350m – 210m)
The itinerary crosses an area where cultivated fields alternate with exuberant oak woods. Particularly interesting species of wildlife can be found here, such as the elusive wild cat and the roe deer, which at sunset can be seen grazing at the edges of the woodland, and the woodpecker, whose presence is easily recognized thanks to the unmistakable sounds of it drumming on the trunks of trees. There is also the Abbazia di S. Eutizio, which has been the heart and soul of the life and culture of this area for centuries.
Day 4: The Gorge of Hell (5hrs walking +450m – 450m)
Private transfer to Rubbiano. The route covers several different landscapes in a short time. You go through the Gorge of Hell to the centuries‐old beech woods of San Leonardo to reach the monastery built in the 10th and 11th centuries. From here, you have an amazing view of the Tenna valley. At the end of the walk, a transfer will bring you to the next hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Fiastra.
Day 5: On the North Side of the Sibillini Range (5hrs walking +200m – 650m)
The journey continues across the meadows on the north side of the National park, famous for its fine wild flowers. From the Agriturismo to Fiastra's Lake, the path offers excellent views of the Lake of Fiastrone and the rugged valley of the same name. Dinner and overnight stay in Fiastra.
Day 6: Fiastra - Cupi (5hrs walking +730m – 400m)
Today's walk starts from the farm heading along a dirt road, with some beautiful views across the Fiastrone valley and its lake. The trail continues on an easy mountain path up to the small village of Cupi Visso, a shepherd's village where we have the possibility to take part in the preparation of local sheep and ricotta cheese. Short transfer back to the Agriturismo.
Day 7: Spoleto (5hrs walking +430m – 350m)
Private transfer (1hr 30min) to the start of the hike. From the Nera valley, we follow the route of a disused but once famous railway, a remarkable example of 19th C engineering. We cross a pass before descending through chestnut woods, farmland and olive groves to enter Spoleto across the imposing "Ponte delle Torri", the most elegant approach on foot to any city in Italy.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, individual departures by train to Rome (2hrs)
Grade : moderate, 4 to 6 hours walking each day. An hilly-to-steep terrain whit large dirt road, mule track and wooden path. A prior hiking experience is recommended.
Accommodation:
- 3 nights in hotel*** in Norcia
- 3 nights in hotel*** in Fiastra
- 1 night in hotel*** in Spoleto
- 3 nights in hotel*** in Norcia
- 3 nights in hotel*** in Fiastra
- 1 night in hotel*** in Spoleto
Equipment :trekking shoes, trekking socks, trekking t-shirt, warm shell, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream, daily backpack (min. 30 liters), trekking poles advised.
Getting there : The destination airport is Rome. We will set a meeting time with the guide at Rome airport for the transfers on day 1. For clients arriving not at the set meeting time, we cannot guarantee a transfer. In this instance clients have to make their own way to the first hotel, at their own expenses (taxi cost about 250€ from Rome airport to the hotel). At the end of the trip individual departure by train from Spoleto train station. There are several daily lines to Rome.
included:
- 7 night accommodation in hotel*** on half board basis (except dinner on day 7)
- All transfers by public bus and private minibuses
- English spoken tour leader, specialist of the region
- All Lunches (except on day 1 and day 8)
- 7 night accommodation in hotel*** on half board basis (except dinner on day 7)
- All transfers by public bus and private minibuses
- English spoken tour leader, specialist of the region
- All Lunches (except on day 1 and day 8)
Not included:
- 1 dinner in Spoleto
- lunches on day 1 and day 8
- All beverages
- 1 dinner in Spoleto
- lunches on day 1 and day 8
- All beverages
Trips Note
Destination: Umbria
Travel Style: Guided walking holiday
Interest: Wine & Gastronomy; History & culture
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aou Sep Oct Nov
Group size: from 4 to 15 people
Airport: Rome
