Welcome to Hooked on Walking Holidays and our walking holiday in the region of Umbria. Our walking holiday in Umbria takes you exploring the Sibillini Mountains. The walking tour is available as a four or eight night self guided walking tour. The best season for planning this tour is in spring and autumn. Not only the weather but also nature is at its best during these months. July and August, on the other hand, can be very hot making the walks seem more strenuous. The Piano Grande is usually in full bloom in June. From the sunlit, mediaeval town of Spoleto this walking tour brings you through the dark woods of the Valnerina to the rugged peaks of the Monti Sibillini National Park. In this unspoiled part of Umbria there’s an almost spiritual, timeless atmosphere. Small churches, hermitages and chapels mark the ancient pilgrim routes. Summers are long and the mountain air is clean and crisp. Not only the landscape is worthwhile enjoying, on this tour you’ll find time to taste the traditional Umbrian food, specially flavoured with the ‘tartufo nero’ that is found in the hills of the Valnerina and of course the excellent red Montefalco wines. On your way to the medieval town of Norcia, birth place of San Benedetto, you’ll visit the Roman abbey of San Pietro in Valle, climb the Monte Coscerno and walk on one of Italy’s natural phenomena’s ‘the Piano Grande’. This mountain plateau is surrounded by the highest peaks of the Sibillini mountains and forms literally and figuratively the highlight of this tour.

Available from 1st April to 31st October ( Level 2 self guided tour )
4 and 8 Night tour is available

Day 1 Arrival in Spoleto
Arrival in the medieval town of Spoleto. Make sure you arrive on time so that you can spend some pleasant hours discovering the small secrets of this beautiful city with her ancient history

Day 2 Scheggino 
Your first walk takes you away from the lively rumour of Spoleto into the green and silent mountains of the Valnerina. Crossing the spectacular bridge Ponte delle Torri you are drawn into the old oak forests of Monte Luco. Through the Valcieco you’ll gradually climb up to the highest ridge of Castelmonte. An old and overgrown path takes you down into the deep valley near Scheggino, a small and picturesque village. 10 miles 16 km, up 600m,  down 700m,  5.5 hours.

Day 3
Along the river Nera there have always been mystical places that attracted spiritual people. The oldest abbey of Umbria, San Pietro in Valle, lies only a three easy hours of walking on small country roads from Scheggino. There’s plenty of time to visit and be impressed by the elegant beauty of the 7th century church where the Dukes of Spoleto are buried. You return to Scheggino using the public bus. 5.3 miles 9 km,  up 100m,  down 150m

Day 4 Poggiodomo
After breakfast you are transferred by car to the small village of Gavelli where you start your panoramic walk over the ridge to the highest point of the Monte Coscerno (1684 m). With clear weather you can see endless hilltops and peaks in all directions. To the east the horizon is dominated by the Sibillini peaks, while to the south you’ll see the Gran Sasso peaks. The descent is not too difficult and brings you finally to the small village of Poggiodomo. 10 miles 16 km, up 820m, down 970m,  5 hours

Day 5
A free day in Poggiodomo by choice. If you feel like it there’s a still a very fine round walk waiting for you. Leaving Poggiodomo you take the high route to the neighbouring village of Uscini. From there you’ll descend into the green and shady canyon and follow the small stream up to an ancient watermill. Climbing up again on small paths you’ll return to Poggiodomo. 5 miles 8 km, up 320m, down  320m,  3 hours.

Day 6 Norcia
After breakfast a longer taxi transfer takes you out of the Valnerina and into the Parco Nazionale Monti Sibillini to the small village of Visso. You will walk deep into the Apennine mountains. Gradually ascend through the Valle di Visso, climbing up to a small mountain pass then down into the valley of Preci. Passing ancient and silent villages as Campi Vecchio and Capo del Colle you’ll finally reach the city walls of Norcia famous for the many butchers and the “Tartufo Nero”. 10.6 miles 17 km, up 800m, down 820m,   6.5 hours.

Day 7 Norcia
All Saint’s Day, one of the most famous monks of Umbria was San Benedetto, born in Norcia, founder of the Benedictine order. The most popular pilgrimage however is not to his statue on the central piazza, but to the Basilica of Santa Rita in the neighbouring town of Cascia. A taxi transfer brings you to Roccaporena, the small hamlet where Rita was born. An easy and very beautiful gorge walk brings you straight to Cascia where you can experience the atmosphere of this pilgrimage town near the basilica where shewas buried. Returning by public transport to Norcia, you’ll have the afternoon for yourself, discovering the small streets and corners of this mediaeval town. 3.1 miles 5 km,  up 10m, down  50m,  1.5 hours.

Day 8 Norcia
The last walk brings you to the greatest secret of the Monte Sibillini, the Piano Grande. An astonishing phenomena, one of the largest high plateaus of Europe. Completely surrounded by rough peaks like the Monte Vettore (2400m) these fertile fields have been used for centuries by the Castelluccio farmers growing vegetables, especially lentils and sheep grazing. You are transferred by taxi to Castelluccio from where you’ll climb up to the Monte Pattino. Great views on the Piano Grande. The descend is steep but rewarding and you’ll walk all the way back to Norcia. 10 miles 16 km, up 370m, down  1170m,  5.5 hours.

Day 9 Holiday Complete
The tour ends after breakfast. You can travel back to Spoleto by public transport.

Difficulty : The hilly countryside can be demanding and it requires some stamina and a moderate to good physical condition. The walks are along uneven footpaths, mule tracks and strade bianche, (small gravel roads).

Climate :Throughout the hills of central Italy you can expect temperatures between 10 - 25 °C in spring and autumn that can reach 35°C in July and August. Mornings can be chilly but they quickly warm up as the day goes by. Showers are common in spring and autumn, although not every day and they tend to be either short and intense or prolonged but light.

Accommodation : Cosy and friendly 2 & 3 star hotels are used in cities, while in the countryside a selected agriturismo. All accommodation is in double rooms with private en-suite facilities. Throughout the trip there are plenty of opportunities to taste the excellent local food products.

4 Night tour: Day 1 above , Day 2 above, day 4 above , Day 6 above , Day 9 above

2010 Prices

How to get there
The best airport to use is Rome Fiumicino and Rome Ciampino, then by train to Spoleto. You can also fly into Pisa and Florence, the train ride is longer and you might have to change train.

The approx. cost of bus / train from Rome airports to tour start / Finish is around 20€ ( £14 ) each way .
Ideal Holiday Extensions :You can extend your trip by booking extra nights in all the accommodations on the route. We advise Spoleto, Scheggino and Norcia. You can also combine your trip with a stay in other towns and cities in Umbria, Tuscany and Rome.
Flying to or from Rome Ciampino? Book your express, low-cost airport transfer with Terravision. From Ciampino Airport direct to Rome City Centre. CLICK HERE
Flying to or from Rome Fiumicino? Book your express, low-cost airport transfer with Terravision. From Fiumicino Airport direct to Rome City Centre. CLICK HERE

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