Current as of: June 24, 2019 - 16:36 Valid for departures: From April 11, 2018 to December 31, 2019 Walking the Olive Trails of Umbria, Self-Guided Trip Notes Ways to Travel: Self-Guided 9 Days Land only Trip Code: Destinations: Italy Min age: 8 Leisurely / Moderate Programmes: Walking & Trekking W10UM Trip Overview Along the way, you explore the upper slopes of the 'bald mountain' Monte Subasio with stunning mountains vistas. You can discover the secluded hermitages of St Francis, pass the great Abbey at Sassovivo and wander the ruins of Campello Alto.The walking is beautifully unhurried, retracing in part the trail St Francis took on his final visit to Assisi in 1226. It's a rural route brimming with rare flora and fauna, passing through olive groves dating back to Roman times. Stroll along pilgrimage trails through centuries-old forest and sacred woodland that has for years been tended and cared for by the Franciscan monks. At a Glance 10 nights hotel-to-hotel 5 Days walking All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals Services of your local Headwater Representative Headwater Wine Collection Service Route directions and maps Luggage transfers between hotels Countries visited: Italy Trip Highlights Discover Italy's 'Green Heart': deep lush forests, hidden hermitages, endless olive groves and the flora and fauna of the Monte Subasio Natural Park World-famous Assisi, the jewel in the Umbrian crown; Spello, one of Italy's best preserved towns; Trevi and Spoleto, hilltop towns completing a daisy-chain of medieval marvels Exceptionally friendly hotels - two with swimming pools - including a converted 17th century palazzo and a luxury 'farm resort' Superb regional cuisine: freshly prepared pastas, highly prized black truffles, the finest of olive oils, famous Sagrantino wines Is This Trip for You? Classification: Self-Guided Average daily distance on move on days: 15.2km (9.6miles). No. of days Walking: 5 Terrain: The paths you follow are generally waymarked and well maintained. As there are frequent ascents and descents, you need to be reasonably fit and confident. Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can walk at your own pace. It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. Group As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of the week to set up your bike and go through the route notes and point out particular places of interest. Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. The route notes contain an emergency assistance telephone number. In an emergency, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. Adult min age: 13 Child min age: 8 Child max age: 12 Itinerary Land Only Start City: Assisi End City: Assisi Land Only Itinerary Day 1 Arrive in Assisi Arrive at your hotel, where you'll stay for three nights. (Staying at Hotel Fontebella Palace, Breakfast only) Day 2 Valfabbrica to Assisi A short transfer to pick up the Via San Francesco pilgrims' trail. Stroll through peaceful oak and pine woods and enjoy superb views as you approach the ancient town of Assisi. Call in at the San Croce chapel with its three-arched Ponte dei Galli, finishing off on a manicured trail through a 1,000-year-old forest to the majestic Basilica di San Francesco. (Staying at Hotel Fontebella Palace, Breakfast only) Meals included: Breakfast Distance covered: 14 km / 9 miles Activity (hours): 4 Day 3 At Assisi Visit the basilica with its magnificent 13th century Giotto frescoes and the commanding hilltop castle. Amble up Via San Francesco to the beautiful Piazza del Comune to visit the well-preserved temple of Minerva. (Staying at Hotel Fontebella Palace, Breakfast only) Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Assisi to Spello Climb up Monte Subasio to the Hermitage of Asissi. Traversing a trail along the mountain you get unforgettable views of the Vale of Spoleto, before heading down into delightful Spello and your hotel for two nights. (Staying at Albergo La Bastiglia, Half Board) Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Distance covered: 16 km / 10 miles Activity (hours): 6 Day 5 At Spello Pink-stoned Spello is a well-preserved Roman town, with beautiful town walls, ruins of the old theatre and amphitheatre and thermal baths. Visit the church of Santa Maria Maggiore with its outstanding frescoes by Pinturicchio, the town's art gallery, annexed to the church, and the Palazzo Comunale Vecchio (Old Town Hall). Or perhaps take the train to Perugia the region's capital. (Staying at Albergo La Bastiglia, Half Board) Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 6 Spello/Sassovivo to Trevi A short transfer this morning - Then follow the Sentiero degli Ulivi - the Olive Grove Trail - that connects Spoleto to Assisi. Spend time at the beautifully-restored cloistered Abbey of Santa Croce di Sassovivo and continue through woodland and olive groves to the hilltop village of Roviglieto - the highest settlement on the trail at 700m. Descend to Trevi for a picture-postcard view of this Roman gem on the slopes of Monte Serano. You'll stay here for two nights, and enjoy dinner (included) under the church tower in the atmospheric Piazza della Rocca. (Staying at Hotel Antica Dimora, breakfast included) Meals included: Breakfast Distance covered: 16 km / 10 miles Activity (hours): 5 Day 7 At Trevi Explore this old theatre town with remnants of the Mura Romana (Roman Wall) and Mura Medieval (Medieval Wall) still encircling the town. The Teatro Clitunno is still one of the town's most important gathering places. Visit the Olive Oil Museum, housed in an ex-convent, and stroll around the main square, home to the 14th century Palazzo Comunale. (Staying at Hotel Antica Dimora, Breakfast included) Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Trevi to Poreta On the shared Olive Trail and Francesco Way, amble along to the hillside church of Madonna di San Arcangelo. Pass the secretive Eremo Francescano (Convento Pissignano) and explore the ruins of 10th century Castello di Campello Alto. Then meander down to Poreta and your hotel for the next two nights, where dinner is included in the converted stables. (Staying at the Borgo della Marmotta, Half Board ) Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Distance covered: 15 km / 10 miles Activity (hours): 5 Day 9 9:W10UM: At Poreta Borgo della Marmotta is a perfect place to unwind for a day or two. Relax on a lounger by the pool with a good book, soak up the sun in the hotel gardens, or pamper yourself with one of the wellness sessions. Or follow small country roads down to the village of Campello sul Clitunno and visit the Roman Springs and temple of Clitunno. (Staying at the Borgo della Marmotta, Half Board ) Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 10 Poreta to Spoleto Pass through the typically Umbrian villages of Santa Maria Reggiano, Bazzano and Eggi. From Eggi, the St Francis Way leads you along back lanes to the bustling town of Spoleto. Or take the old Olive Trail high up onto the former railway line that used to run from Spoleto to Norcia. Cross the 60m-high Cortaccione Viaduct for a superb view back over your week's walking. (Staying at the Hotel Charleston, Breakfast only ) Meals included: Breakfast Distance covered: 15 km / 10 miles Activity (hours): 5 Day 11 Leave Spoleto Meals included: Breakfast All ascents, descents and distances listed above have been measured by our local partners or tour leaders. Please note that different GPS measuring devices can give differing results dependent on the barometric pressures at the time. Measurements stated throughout these trips notes are given to help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will encounter. Accommodation Hotels The hotels we've chosen are special too. From Renaissance-style palaces in Assisi and Trevi to a chic renovated farmhouse in Poreta. Where a single supplement is available, paying for a single only guarantees a room for single use. It does not always mean a twin or double room will be provided for sole occupancy. Single supplement from $387.50 USD Food & Transport Eating & Drinking All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals. Food of the region is rustic, often called 'cucina povera'. The most typical pasta dish is Stongozzi, served with black truffles or a spicy tomato sauce, followed by simple grilled local meats and then a slice of pecorino cheese washed down with some superb wines. Sagrantino di Montefalco or red from Torgiano are just a sample. For a picnic lunch why not try the Umbrian staple, the porchetta sandwich - roast pig stuffed with herbs Umbria represents Italian home cooking at its best and the region's cuisine reflects its landlocked location. The distinctive taste of the region's olive oil and black and white truffles flavour many of the dishes.