Umbria Road Bike Tour
Italy Bike Tours
Bike in Italy through the country’s "Green Heart"
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length5–8 days
- Prices from€592 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This road bike tour in Italy runs through the green heart of the country (or il cuor verde d'Italia), which is what Umbria is frequently called. Cycling in Umbria is perfect for those looking to personally experience this unique and unspoiled region with its endless beauty, unparalleled hospitality, and just the right combination of art, nature, and culture. As one of Italy's smallest regions, Umbria has long been a secret well kept.
In the beautiful Umbrian landscape, you will find rolling hills covered with woodland, vineyards, and silver-green olive groves lacing the colorful fertile valleys. The landscapee in the North of Umbria becomes increasingly more
rough and unspoiled. Friendly hills change into a mountain landscape with scenic views of the Apennines.Interspersed throughout, you will find friendly, authentic villages with atmospheric town squares, crisscrossed with alleys and many impressive churches and castles.
Highlights
- Perugia, with its spectacular Renaissance palaces, museums, and churches
- Excellent shopping
- The beautiful square Palazzo dei Priori
- The 15th-century Cathedral of San Lorenzo with interesting pink and white stone decoration modeled after the cathedral of Arezzo in 1335
- The Basilica of San Domenico
- The medieval Pilgrim town of Assisi
- Basilica of San Francesco completed in 1253
Anyone who calls themself a cyclist must experience biking in Umbria, the jewel of bike tours in Italy. This tour is very similar to our other Umbria tour except it covers longer distances.
If Umbria is not your thing, check out our full list of bike tours in Italy.
Itinerary
8 Day Tour
Day 1: Arrival in Assisi
Day 2: Assisi - Spello - Foligno - Spoleto - Montefalco - Bevagna - Torgiano, 67 mi. (108 km) or 42 mi. (68 km)
Day 3: Torgiano - Passignano on Lake Trasimeno, 50 mi. (80 km)
Day 4: Day of rest or roundtrip tour around Lake Trasimeno, 58 mi. (94 km)
Day 5: Passignano - Umbertide, 54 mi. (88 km) or 28 mi. (47 km)
Day 6: Umbertide - Gubbio via Cagli in Marche, 66mi. (91 km)
Day 7: Gubbio - Assisi, 43 mi. (70 km)
Day 8: Departure from Assisi (Viole)All distances are approximate. Due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the route, you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions. In this case, please follow the directions posted locally.
Day 1: Arrival in Assisi
The tour starts in the Pilgrimage city of Assisi, built against the Monte Subasio Mountain. The little city with the towering fort "La Rocca Maggiore" can already be explored on this very first day. At the end of the afternoon, you will receive the route descriptions, maps, and tourist information from a tour agent.
Elevation:- Highest point: 446m
- Lowest point: 195m
- Total ascent: 774m
- Total descent: 946m
Standard Accommodations:
- Hotel la Terrazza *** (900 m from old town centre)
Superior Accommodations:
- Hotel Dal Moro Gallery ****
- or Hotel la Terrazza in a superior room
Day 2: Today you have the choice between a shorter or longer tour
Shorter route: Spello - Montefalco - Bevagna - Torgiano, 42 mi. (68 km)
Starting your tour in Spello, you leave your hotel and pedal through the valley of Spoleto, passing Foligno, your route goes up to Montefalco, also called the "balcony of Umbria", because of it's fantastic panorama views. The Franciscan church, now a museum, is decorated with magnificent frescoes from the 15th and 16th century by artists like Benozzo Gozzoli and Perugino. The next town you will visit is Bevagna, whose characteristic medieval square is home to two Romanesque churches. Your overnight stay is in Torgiano, which in medieval times was a fortified village and is situated on a hilltop above the confluence of the Chiascio and Tiber Rivers. Interesting to visit are the wine museum and the 'osteria' of the Lungarotti family, where you can taste their excellent wines.Elevation:
- Highest point: 450m
- Lowest point: 205m
- Total ascent: 552m
- Total descent: 718m
Longer route: Spello, Foligno-Spoleto-Montefalco-Bevagna-Torgiano 67 mi. (108 km)
This longer route takes you through the same towns as the above shorter route but also brings you more south through the valley past Foligno towards the town of Spoleto.Elevation:
- Highest point: 446m
- Lowest point: 205m
Standard Accommodations:
- Hotel Al Grappolo d’Oro ***
Superior Accommodations:
- Le Tre Vaselle Resort
Day 3: Torgiano - Passignano on Lake Trasimeno, 50 mi. (80 km)
Today, you will cycle for a while through an uninhabited region of forests with a farmhouse here and there along the way. Cycling in Umbria through this beautiful hilly terrain, you'll unexpectedly arrive at a glorious view over Lake Trasimeno with its 3 small islands. This Lake is the 4th largest in all of Italy with a rich population of fish. You will pass small, typical Umbrian ‘borghi’ built on a hilltop such as Castiglion del Fosco, Pietrafitta and Panicale, which still has a fascinating, well-preserved 13th century Palazzo del Podestà.
Elevation:- Highest point: 401m
- Lowest point: 164m
- Total ascent: 986m
- Total descent: 934m
Standard Accommodations:
- Hotel Lido ***
Superior Accommodations:
- Hotel Lido in superior room
Day 4: Day of rest or roundtrip tour around Lake Trasimeno (through Tuscany's Chiusi), 58 mi. (94km)
Trasimeno Lake, beautifully surrounded by hilly landscapes, attracted much favorable attention during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. It was then that the painter Perugino, teacher of Raphael, often used the Lake as a background for his paintings. Next, you will bike around the Lake, passing the cozy towns of Passignano and Tuoro Lago along the way. Then, you'll leave the Lake behind for a nice visit to the Etruscan city of Chiusi. This quaint city has changed very little over time. Lastly, you'll venture back around Lake Trasimeno and maybe have time to visit one of the islands in the Lake.
Elevation:- Highest point: 396m
- Lowest point: 255m
- Total ascent: 835m
- Total descent: 826m
Accommodations: Hotel Lido *** (standard room with lake view)
Day 5: Today you also have a choice between a shorter or longer tour
Shorter route: Lake Trasimeno - Umbertide, 27 mi. (45 km)
This shorter ride brings you through unspoiled nature to your destination, the quiet little town of Umbertide. But first, a steep climb brings you to Castel Rigone from where you will have a magnificent view over the lake. From there, a pleasant undulating ride takes you to Umbertide, whose town center is dominated by a majestic tower, the remains of a castle dating back to 1385.Elevation:
- Highest point: 704m
- Lowest point: 240m
- Total ascent: 837m
- Total descent: 855m
Longer route: Lake Trasimeno - Umbertide (passing Cortona in Tuscany), 52 mi. (87 km)
A lovely ride through the valley of the Tesse brings you to Cortona. This beautiful, Tuscan town is built on a hilltop. Leaving it, you will cycle over a ridge through a mountainous terrain with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. Your overnight stay will be just outside Umbertide.Elevation:
- Highest point 396m
- Lowest point: 255m
- Total ascent: 1405m
- Total descent: 1430m
Standard/Superior Accommodations:
- Country Hotel Poggiomanente
Day 6: Umbertide - Gubbio via Cagli in Marche, 56 mi. (91km)
Today's destination is the fortified hill town of Gubbio. You will cycle through the mountains. It is a beautiful tour through the green hills of the lower Apennines. Along the way, visit Montone, a quiet little town built (482m) on a hilly ridge, situated between the Lana and Carpina streams, which are both tributaries of the Tiber. It's a slow climb uphill to Pietralunga with its old partially, walled center and the Long bards Castle dating back to the 8th century. You will pass Cagli in the region Le Marche and from there, you arrive to Gubbio, where your accommodations are right in the town center.
Elevation:- Highest point: 765m
- Lowest point: 240m
- Total ascent: 1292m
- Total descent: 1018m
Standard Accommodations:
- Hotel San Marco ***
Superior Accommodations:
- Hotel Bosone ****
Day 7: Gubbio - Assisi, 43 mi. (70 km)
On this last day of the tour, you will cycle through a beautiful hilly landscape passing quiet mountain villages. The first stretch begins with a steep climb, but after that, the road undulates gently until it brings you to the bottom of a valley. The last stretch brings you through characteristic little villages and finally you will see Assisi from afar, built on a spur of mount Subasio.- Elevation:
- Highest point: 830m
- Lowest point: 328m
- Total ascent: 1158m
- Total descent: 1254m
Standard Accommodations:
- Hotel la Terrazza *** (900 m from old town centre)
Superior Accommodations:
- Hotel Dal Moro Gallery ****
- or superior room in Hotel la Terrazza
- or with supplement, 5* Nun Relais or Anfi House
Day 8: Departure from Assisi.
Individual departure from Assisi following breakfast.5 Day Tour
Day 1: Arrival Assisi
Day 2: Assisi - Torgiano 42 mi. - 67 mi. (68 km or 108 km)
Day 3: Torgiano - Passignano 49 mi. (80 km)
Day 4: Loop around lake 58 mi. (94 km)
Day 5: Departure after breakfastLooking for more? View all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news or look at our full list of bike tours in Europe.
Map
Hotels & Bikes
Please see each day’s detailed itinerary for the preferred accommodations for this tour. Final accommodation list will be based on availability. If preferred hotels are not available, a comparable alternative will be offered.
Standard: Great 3 star to 4 star hotels; rooms with private facilities.
Superior: Great 3 star to 4 star hotels and B&Bs, rooms with private facilities. All hotels are slightly higher quality than the Standard hotels, including all hotels have a swimming pool except in Gubbio. Hotel in Assisi is close to downtown.Bicycles
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodations in selected category for 4 or 7 nights
- Breakfasts
- Carbon road bike rental
- Luggage transfer
- Tour information packet
- GPS rental (tracks will be sent approximately two weeks before the tour start) or we suggest downloading Maps.me on your cell phone
- Route descriptions & maps
- Route briefing on arrival day
- 7 day emergency hotline
What’s Not Included
- Remaining meals (4 or 7 dinners may be included with a supplement. See pricing.)
- Local tourist tax (between €1-3 per day)
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2022
Arrivals are possible any day from April 1st until the beginning of November (other dates are possible upon request)
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
8 Day Tour
Standard Hotels
Double room: $ 1397 £ 786 $ 1,260 € 912 ₪ 3297 NZ$ 1537 kr 9784 $ 981
Single room: $ 1643 £ 925 $ 1,482 € 1073 ₪ 3879 NZ$ 1808 kr 11512 $ 1,154
Single traveler: $ 1727 £ 973 $ 1,558 € 1128 ₪ 4077 NZ$ 1901 kr 12102 $ 1,213
Third person in triple room: $ 956 £ 538 $ 862 € 624 ₪ 2256 NZ$ 1052 kr 6695 $ 671
Dinners included: $ 228 £ 128 $ 206 € 149 ₪ 539 NZ$ 251 kr 1599 $ 160
Superior Hotels
Double room: $ 1631 £ 918 $ 1,471 € 1065 ₪ 3850 NZ$ 1795 kr 11426 $ 1,145
Single room: $ 2012 £ 1133 $ 1,815 € 1314 ₪ 4750 NZ$ 2214 kr 14097 $ 1,413
Single traveler: $ 2097 £ 1181 $ 1,891 € 1369 ₪ 4949 NZ$ 2307 kr 14687 $ 1,472
Dinners included: $ 283 £ 160 $ 256 € 185 ₪ 669 NZ$ 312 kr 1985 $ 199
Standard Hotels
Double room: $ 907 £ 510 $ 818 € 592 ₪ 2140 NZ$ 998 kr 6351 $ 637
Single room: $ 1025 £ 577 $ 924 € 669 ₪ 2418 NZ$ 1127 kr 7177 $ 720
Single traveler: $ 1078 £ 607 $ 973 € 704 ₪ 2545 NZ$ 1186 kr 7553 $ 757
Third person in triple room: $ 613 £ 345 $ 553 € 400 ₪ 1446 NZ$ 674 kr 4291 $ 430
Dinners included: $ 159 £ 90 $ 144 € 104 ₪ 376 NZ$ 175 kr 1116 $ 112
Superior Hotels
Double room: $ 953 £ 536 $ 859 € 622 ₪ 2248 NZ$ 1048 kr 6673 $ 669
Single room: $ 1169 £ 658 $ 1,054 € 763 ₪ 2758 NZ$ 1286 kr 8186 $ 821
Single traveler: $ 1222 £ 688 $ 1,103 € 798 ₪ 2885 NZ$ 1345 kr 8561 $ 858
Third person in triple room: $ 643 £ 362 $ 580 € 420 ₪ 1518 NZ$ 708 kr 4506 $ 452
Dinners included: $ 176 £ 99 $ 159 € 115 ₪ 416 NZ$ 194 kr 1234 $ 124
Extra Options
Extra nights
Double/twin room Single room Assisi (Standard accommodation) $ 84 £ 47 $ 76 € 55 ₪ 199 NZ$ 93 kr 590 $ 59 $ 115 £ 65 $ 104 € 75 ₪ 271 NZ$ 126 kr 805 $ 81 Assisi (Superior accommodation) $ 92 £ 52 $ 83 € 60 ₪ 217 NZ$ 101 kr 644 $ 65 $ 123 £ 69 $ 111 € 80 ₪ 289 NZ$ 135 kr 858 $ 86 Extra nights in other cities, on request.
A single room is for those traveling with other companions but wish to have a single room. The price for a single traveler is for those traveling without companions.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Difficult
This self-guided cycling tour in Italy is classified as difficult with distances averaging 65 miles per day over hilly terrain with steep climbs.
Airport Info
Fly to Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO). Rome Fiumicino Airport is the busiest airport in Italy, particularly in terms of international traffic. The airport is actually 22 miles (35 km) from Rome’s city center and has its own train station.
The FCO station connects frequently with central Rome with a few options, and from Rome, you can get anywhere else in Italy, including Florence.
Local Travel
Upon arrival at Fiumicino, you can choose either the Leonardo Express, a regional train that will take you to center city Rome or intercity train. Travel from Rome to Assisi is generally 3-4 hr. Transfer to starting point.
Climate
Average high temp in °F for Assisi is 62º in April, 69º May, 77º June, 83º July, 83º August, 76º September & 65º October.
Day of Rest
Day 4 in San Feliciano may be used as a day of rest.
Recommended
Including 3-course dinners.
Remarks
A GPS is available for this tour.
Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Extra Stay
Extra nights available by request.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Ecologico Tours.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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