Walking the Olive Trails of Umbria

Day-by-day itinerary

Walking information

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. Walking boots are essential and walking poles are recommended (but only if you already use them).

Day 1: Arrive in Assisi

Arrive at your hotel, where you'll stay for three nights.
You stay at the Hotel Fontebella Palace (breakfast included)

Day 2: Valfabbrica to Assisi 14km/9mi/4hr

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.
You stay at the Hotel Fontebella Palace (breakfast included)

Day 3: At Assisi

Visit the basilica with its magnificent C13 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.
You stay at the Hotel Fontebella Palace (breakfast included)

Day 4: Assisi to Spello 16km/10mi/5.5hr

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.
You stay at the Albergo La Bastiglia (breakfast and evening meal)

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.
You stay at the Albergo La Bastiglia (breakfast and evening meal)

Day 6: Spello/Sassovivo to Trevi 16km/10mi/5hr

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.
You stay at the Hotel Antica Dimora (breakfast and evening meal (with wine) included)

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.
You stay at the Hotel Antica Dimora (breakfast and evening meal (with wine) included)

Day 8: Trevi to Poreta 15km/9.5mi/4.5hr

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.
You stay at the Borgo della Marmotta (breakfast and evening meal included)

Day 9: 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.
You stay at the Borgo della Marmotta (breakfast and evening meal included)

Day 10: Poreta to Spoleto 15km/9.5mi/4.5hr

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.
You stay at the Hotel Charleston (breakfast included)

Day 11: Leave Spoleto