Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Email: [email protected]

Umbria – 5 nights Umbria, St Francis and the Dukes of

https://www.onfootholidays.co.uk/routes/umbria/umbria-5-nights/

Route Summary

At a glance

5 nights (4 days walking) ending in . We recommend extra nights in Spoleto, Labro and Casperia, and a night in at the end.

How much walking?

Full days: 15-21 km per day, 5-6½ hrs walking Using shortening options: 11-15 km per day, 3¾-5 hrs (using lifts)

Max. Grade:

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A remarkable extended walk down the spine of from Spoleto, just south of Assisi, to the abbey of Farfa, at the southern tip of the Sabine Hills, designed for the experienced walker. It goes through the territory of the old Duchy of Spoleto, which was founded by the Lombards in the 6th century AD. Its destination, the abbey, was founded by Duke Faraold II of Spoleto in the 7th century. Much of the first few days uses the Via Francigena, so Saint Francis is never far away in the churches and shrines you pass.

From the medieval town of Spoleto, with its cathedral, fortress, ancient streets and sophisticated streetlife, your walk leads you (after a short lift at the start) over the hills to the pretty Val Nerina at Ferentillo; onward past vine-clad pastures to the lake at Piediluco, the last remnant of a stretch of water that once filled the whole of the Plain. Stay at hilltop Labro in one of two beautifully restored village houses, before crossing the Plain to the Sabine Hills at , where Saint Francis is believed to have invented the Christmas Nativity scene, and whose cell you can visit. Cross the hills, through , then finally (in this version) to Casperia (staying in a palazzetto). You can also add a night or two in Rome at our favourite B&B.

Route Highlights

● Medieval Spoleto and the aqueduct ● The lake of Piediluco and hilltop Labro ● The fortified villages of ● Wooded hills and high pastures ● The palazzetta in Casperia

We Recommend

Extra nights in Spoleto (to have a good look at this lovely town), hilltop Labro (your host has many ideas for activities or you can just relax), Casperia (see below for cookery course), and nights in Rome.

Grading

Full days: 15-21 km per day, 5-6½ hrs walking Using shortening options: 11-15 km per day, 3¾-5 hrs (using lifts)

page 2/8 Walking on old hill paths and tracks. Good waymarking. Highest point on route: 1065m.

Medium-hard: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 612m (350m-750m) per day. Medium: CUSs 475m (350m - 600m) using shortening options

GPX file available for handheld GPS or smartphone App for complete route.

Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.

When to go

The best months to walk: May, June, September, October

Other possible months: April, July

These tree-clad hills offer a certain amount of shade, except on the higher reaches, where exposure can be high. The elevation tempers the otherwise fierce heat of the summer too, so we can offer this unique route for most of the walking year except peak holiday period times in late July and in August.

Please note: date ranges shown are for a 'normal' year. While Covid-19 restrictions remain, please contact us to discuss your plans and availability.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Spoleto

Arrive in Spoleto, settle in to your accommodation and explore the old town. Extra night recommended.

Day 2 - Spoleto to Ferentillo

After a short lift (to the top of the hill!), a leg-loosening first day along pretty paths and easy tracks across the hills to the pretty Val Nerina at Ferentillo, where you stay in a beautifully sited agriturismo with pool. (Medium: 5 hrs, 15 km, CUSs 350m)

Day 3 - Ferentillo to Labro

After a visit (we suggest) to the extraordinary Mummy Museum, a lovely and easy walk down the Val Nerina as far as Arrone (lunch?) before striding off into the vine-clad hills which precede the lake at Piediluco. Take it easy alongside the water before the fin-du-jour slog to the top, where you stay in the heart of the village in one of two beautiful conversions. (Medium hard 5 hrs, 20km, CUSs 700m, or medium 4 hrs, 15km, CUSs 450m if you summon a lift from Piediluco (supplement).)

Day 4 - Labro to Greccio

Down to the plain, and cross to the Sabine Hills to join Route Advisor Stefano's self-made-and-waymarked path through the woods to the Santuario di Greccio. Visit the church and St Francis's cell before a final push to your comfortable hotel in Greccio village proper. (Medium-hard: 4¾ hrs, 17km, CUSs 750m, or medium: 3¾ hrs, 13½ km, CUSs 550m with lift on final stretch from Santuario to Greccio)

page 3/8 Day 5 - Greccio to Casperia

A long-ish day with a sting at the start. Climb to the top of the Sabine Hills (views of the Apennines) to a remote shrine, then down through woods and bucolic pastures to the dramatic hilltop village of Cottanello. Stop here for a snack, and continue with a walk down one of the oldest roads from the town to its ancient bridge; then a pleasant country road walk through attractive woodland. Visit pretty and end at Casperia, the best of the hilltop towns, and a stylish Palazzetta. (Hard: 6½ hrs, 21km, CUSs 750m, or medium: 4 hrs, 11km, CUSs 600m with taxi at end)

Option

Your host Maureen suggests: “An extra day here could involve short local walks around the old mule paths, to the next village for lunch, or just along the valley below. We have cooking lessons for min 2 people - three hours hands on followed by Italian 4 course meal with wines.

Travel Information

ARRIVING BY AIR

The best airport is Rome Fiumicino (Leonardo Da Vinci) (including intercontinental flights), though Rome Ciampino and Ancona are also useful. ( airport transfers are only feasible by taxi.)

Land by: 15:00 for public transport connections to Spoleto or Casperia. Return flight earliest: No time limit if staying final night in Rome. If not, 11:00 for train connections from or Casperia (see transfer information below). Earliest return time not applicable if using pre-booked taxi.

Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.

For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.

See “getting to the start of the walk” below for transfer information.

ARRIVING BY TRAIN Nearest railway stations: Start: Spoleto ( for 4 night option) Finish: Mompeo – ; Casperia – Poggio Mirteto (Rome Termini if including night(s) in Rome)

Sample journey by rail:

Via Rome: Shuttle train into city, then direct train to Spoleto; or direct train from Fiumicino airport or city train stations to Poggio Mirteto (for Casperia)

Mompeo to Rome: direct train from Fara Sabina (or Poggio Mirteto) to Rome Fiumicino or the city centre.

We suggest thetrainline.com for times, ticket booking and other information. page 4/8 ARRIVING BY CAR

Only suitable for those whose last night is in Mompeo. Park your car at Le Mole (just outside Mompeo – no charge, but leave keys with your hosts). Taxi back to start (supplement).

Getting to the start of the walk

The first hotel is in Spoleto (Casperia for 4 night option) and the last in Mompeo (or Casperia for 5 night option). Transfer times and methods are suggested for Rome Fiumicino airport below. For train arrival transfers see below.

Outward: from Fiumicino train/train/local bus or taxi 3 hrs. Taxi whole way possible but very expensive. Return: Direct train from Fara in Sabina or Poggio Mirteto to Fiumicino airport 1.5 hrs, or shuttle/local taxi from Rome B&B to airport.

For prebookable taxi prices see “Prices”.

Transfers from/to train stations: Outward: Spoleto or Casperia – taxi pre-booked for you to your accommodation, payable locally. Return: Lift from Mompeo to railway station included (from Casperia, pay locally). If staying in Rome, from Rome Termini, bus or local taxi to B&B, and same on return to station.

Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.

Where You'll Stay

A great variety of accommodation, from palaces to traditional hotels to committed agriturismos. All comfortable, some memorable.

Night 1 Spoleto – Hotel Charleston (B&B)

Family run hotel in central position, with friendly staff and outside breakfast area (summer).

page 5/8 Night 1(Upgrade) Spoleto – Palazzo Dragoni (B&B)

Historic former palace in great location with views and maze of tunnels underneath.

Night 2 Ferentillo – Agriturismo La Pila (dinner, B&B)

Modern agriturismo in gorgeous position with pool; lots of home produce.

Night 3 Labro – Albergo Diffuso Crispolti (B&B)

Remarkable architect-designed conversion of a collection of houses in the old town. Upgrade apartments also available. Table booked for supper in nearby restaurant.

Night 4 Greccio – Hotel della Fonte (dinner, B&B)

Handsome hotel overlooking the square, with good sized rooms.

page 6/8 Night 5 Casperia – La Torretta (B&B)

An almost fabulous Palazzetta in the historic centre.

Staying in Rome We think we have one of the best and most reasonably priced places to stay in Rome – Roberta’s B&B Orologio. In a narrow street between the Piazza Navona and the Vatican, Roberta has been our Rome host for the last ten years and has never let us down. With her stylish charm and attention to detail she ensures that if you return to Rome you will stay there again. And has opened another B&B nearby just in case she is full!

Prices

Price: £720

Total 5 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, 2 evening meals, lift from Spoleto to the start of the first day’s walk, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.

Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £130 Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £185 Large Party Saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary, on the same booking and booked at the same time) – discount of at least £30 per person Maximum party size: 10

Add Ons

Extra B&B night in Labro: From £39 pp sharing; £22 single supp Extra B&B night in Casperia: From £46 pp sharing; £23 single supp Further Dinner, B&B night in Misciani: From £64 pp sharing; £18 single supp Nights in Rome: From £75 pp sharing; £30 single supp Extra nights in other centres: Contact On Foot Holidays Taxi from Mompeo to Rome centre or either Rome airport: Contact On Foot Holidays Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK: £10-£40 (per pack, location dependent) Guiding services by Stefano Fassone: Contact On Foot Holidays

page 7/8 On Foot Holidays Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Griffin House, Malthouse Lane, Email: [email protected] Salisbury, SP2 7RF, United Kingdom

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