On Foot Holidays - Umbria

On Foot Holidays - Umbria Overview

A eight-night self-guided hike from Spoleto, southwards through the Sabine Hills.

Spoleto, the Sabine Hills, the Way of Saint Francis and the Duchy

This eight-night version of our Umbria route is a traditional inn-to-inn walk (see nine-night versions which ends with three nights at Mompeo). Walk down the spine of Italy from Spoleto, just south of Assisi, to the abbey of Farfa, at the southern tip of the Sabine Hills. The route 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 Rieti Plain. Stay at hilltop Labro in beautifully restored village houses, before crossing the Plain to the Sabine Hills at Greccio, where Saint Francis is believed to have invented the Christmas Nativity scene, and whose cell you can visit. Cross the hills, through Cottanello, then on to Casperia (staying in a palazzetto), to Mauro and Ornella’s “real” Agriturismo (have their wines, olive oil, goats’ cheese and prosciutto for supper) and on to ancient Castelnuovo. On your final morning, walk to the Abbey of Farfa to complete your pilgrimage, before walking to the ruined hilltop abbey of San Martino. Your final night is in Agriturismo Santo Pietro, where you will dine well on their own produce. Consider also spending time in Rome.

Five, four and nine-night versions of this holiday are also available. See the On Foot Holidays website for details of prices and dates.