Umbria - Culinary Walking Tour
Italy Hiking + Walking Tours
Explore Italy’s green heart & culinary delights on foot
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length5–7 days
- Prices from€820 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This walking tour in Italy is the essence of slow travel. Highlighting the food and wine of the Umbria region, time to savor the cultural, natural, and gastronomic delights of the area is built in.
Well-trodden paths will lead you to enchanting hilltop towns like Assisi. You hike up and down rolling green hills, through olive groves, and along cobbled streets to quaint town squares. This itinerary combines equal parts of walking with wine tasting, sampling local food sourced from the surrounding farms, and unearthing the history that underpins ancient architecture.
Foodies will be in their element as gourmet delicacies typical of the local area grace the menus. Olive oil drizzled on wood-baked bread, cheese boards laced with local sheep’s milk cheese, platters of cold meats from Norcia, pasta wafting with the aroma of truffles, and freshly baked pizza paired with excellent red and white wines will delight. Sip on world-famous wines like Sagrantino di Montefalco and Grechetto di Assisi to round off eventful days.
Highlights
- Medieval towns of Spello and Spoleto
- Cooking class of Umbria's local dishes
- Wine-tasting at an organic winery
- Basilica of St Francis
- Monte Subasio National Park
Interested in something else? Check out our entire listing of bicycle tours in Italy.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Assisi
Day 2: Discover Assisi, 5 or 8.7 mi. (8 or 14 km)
Day 3: Walk to Spello, 6.8 mi. (11 km)
Day 4: Monte Subasio National Park, 7.5 mi. (12 km)
Day 5: Departure
*All distances are approximate.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. In the evening, you will have dinner at the Michelin restaurant Il Frantoio, with food made by renowned chef Lorenzo Cantoni. You'll begin with a tasting of two olive oils produced at the restaurant.Preferred accommodation:
4-star FontebellaDay 2: Discover Assisi, 5 or 8.7 mi. (8 or 14 km)
Explore the beautiful hilltown of Assisi on foot. The town walk will take you around the most important cultural monuments of Assisi, which are mostly connected with the lives of the saints Francis and Clare, who were born in Assisi. From your hotel, your walk goes up to the Porta Cappuccini town gate (470m a.s.l.). From here you will walk through a tangle of little alleys and medieval squares. You will pass the remains of an amphitheater, the medieval castle (506m a.s.l.), the St. Francis Basilica, the temple of Minerva, the church ‘Chiesa Nuova’ and the basilica of St. Clare, finally walking down to the monastery of St. Damiano (310m a.s.l.).You can make the route longer by descending along the Mattonata to Santa Maria degli Angeli, a red brick pavement that connects the two Franciscan basilicas. The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli is the second Franciscan basilica, built above the small church Porziuncola, where Saint Francis and his brothers prayed. (+ 1hr15 mins.) Back by bus to the town centre.
Walk details:
Elevation gain: 262m
Elevation loss: 364m
Walking time: approx. 3-4.5 hours (longer route additional +1h15)Preferred accommodation:
4-star Hotel Fontebella
Day 3: Walk to Spello, 6.8 mi. (11 km)
Follow the slopes of Monte Subasio which will take you to Spello. It is a beautiful walk among olive groves, with great views of the Valle Umbra. Before you arrive at Spello, you will visit an organic winery called Tili Vini in the Assisi d.o.c. area. Annalaura and Maria are your hosts during the cooking class with the preparation of local, seasonal dishes.After the cooking class, you taste the dishes you prepared combined with the organic wines of the winery.
After your visit, you continue your walk to Spello, built up a spur of Monte Subasio. The splendidly intact town walls are draped around the historical centre, which has a number of monuments testifying to the Roman era. Spello also has also one of Umbria’s major art attractions, the outstanding frescoes by Pinturicchio in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. You will stay in a hotel in the historical centre
Walk details:
Elevation gain: 262m
Elevation loss: 364m
Walking time: approx. 3.5 hoursPreferred accommodation:
4-star Hotel la Bastiglia
Day 4: Circular walk from Spello, 7.5 mi. (12 km)
Walk the lovely ring route in surrounding Spello. Through olive groves and woods, you will walk along the Roman aqueduct to Collepino, a small walled-in mountain village. From here, you descend into the valley and walk along quiet country roads, back to Spello. The vegetation of the Subasio slopes are varied with olive groves, broom, Turkey oak, minor oak, hornbeam, flowering ash, maple, beech, and ilex. The aqueduct-path winds its way through charming scenery composed of the crop fields of the valley, olive groves, and Mediterranean woodland. You will have stunning views of Spello and the surrounding hills.In the evening you are expected in a restaurant / wine bar ‘Properzio’ for a tasting menu*:
- Bruschette with 2 different olive oils and fresh tomatoes / white wine Fendi*
- Tagliatelle with truffle (if you do not like truffle tagliatelle with fresh tomatoes) / wine Brunello or Super Tuscan*
- Meat balls of Chianina with salat / wine Sagrantino 25 anni Caprai*
- Dessert, caffè and grappa* Menu or wines can changes slightly according to the season or availability.
Walk details:
Elevation gain: 484m
Elevation loss: 365m
Walking time: approx. 4 hoursPreferred accommodation:
4-star Hotel la BastigliaDay 5: Departure
After breakfast, you say goodbye and your tour ends.
Be sure to check out all of our bike tours in Europe or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news.Day 1: Arrival in Assisi
Day 2: Discover Assisi, 5 or 8.7 mi. (8 or 14 km)
Day 3: Walk to Spello, 6.8 mi. (11 km)
Day 4: Circular walk from Spello, 7.5 mi. (12 km)
Day 5: Train ride to Spoleto
Day 6: Walk on Monteluco, 6.8 mi. (11 km)
Day 7: Departure
* All distances are approximate.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. In the evening, you will have dinner at the Michelin restaurant Il Frantoio, with food made by renowned chef Lorenzo Cantoni. You'll begin with a tasting of two olive oils produced at the restaurant.Preferred accommodation:
4-star Hotel FontebellaDay 2: Discover Assisi, 5 or 8.7 mi. (8 or 14 km)
Explore the beautiful hill town of Assisi on foot. The town walk will take you around the most important cultural monuments of Assisi, which are mostly connected with the lives of the saints Francis and Clare, who were born in Assisi. From your hotel, your walk goes up to the Porta Cappuccini town gate (470m a.s.l.). From here you will walk through a tangle of little alleys and medieval squares. You will pass the remains of an amphitheater, the medieval castle (506m a.s.l.), the St. Francis Basilica, the temple of Minerva, the church ‘Chiesa Nuova’ and the basilica of St. Clare, finally walking down to the monastery of St. Damiano (310m a.s.l.).You can make the route longer by descending along the Mattonata to Santa Maria degli Angeli, a red brick pavement that connects the two Franciscan basilicas. The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli is the second Franciscan basilica, built above the small church Porziuncola, where Saint Francis and his brothers prayed. (+ 1hr15 mins.) Back by bus to the town centre.
Walk details:
Elevation gain: 262m
Elevation loss: 364m
Walking time: approx. 3-4.5 hours (longer route additional +1h15)Preferred accommodation:
4-star Hotel Fontebella
Day 3: Walk to Spello, 6.8 mi. (11 km)
Follow the slopes of Monte Subasio which will take you to Spello. It is a beautiful walk among olive groves, with great views of the Valle Umbra. Before you arrive at Spello, you will visit an organic winery called Tili Vini in the Assisi d.o.c. area. Annalaura and Maria are your hosts during the cooking class with the preparation of local, seasonal dishes.After the cooking class, you taste the dishes you prepared combined with the organic wines of the winery.
After your visit, you continue your walk to Spello, built up a spur of Monte Subasio. The splendidly intact town walls are draped around the historical centre, which has a number of monuments testifying the Roman era. Spello also has also one of Umbria’s major art attractions, the outstanding frescoes by Pinturicchio in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. You will stay in a hotel in the historical centre
Walk details:
Elevation gain: 262m
Elevation loss: 364m
Walking time: approx. 3.5 hoursPreferred accommodation:
4-star Hotel la Bastiglia
Day 4: Circular walk from Spello, 7.5 mi. (12 km)
Walk the lovely ring route in surrounding Spello. Through olive groves and woods, you will walk along the Roman aqueduct to Collepino, a small walled-in mountain village. From here, you descend into the valley and walk along quiet country roads, back to Spello. The vegetation of the Subasio slopes are varied with olive groves, broom, Turkey oak, minor oak, hornbeam, flowering ash, maple, beech, and ilex. The aqueduct-path winds its way through charming scenery composed of the crop fields of the valley, olive groves, and Mediterranean woodland. You will have stunning views of Spello and the surrounding hills.In the evening you are expected in a restaurant / wine bar ‘Properzio’ for a tasting menu*:
- Bruschette with 2 different olive oils and fresh tomatoes / white wine Fendi*
- Tagliatelle with truffle (if you do not like truffle tagliatelle with fresh tomatoes) / wine Brunello or Super Tuscan*
- Meat balls of Chianina with salat / wine Sagrantino 25 anni Caprai*
- Dessert, caffè and grappa* Menu or wines can changes slightly according to the season or availability.
Walk details:
Elevation gain: 484m
Elevation loss: 365m
Walking time: approx. 4 hoursPreferred accommodation:
4-star Hotel la BastigliaDay 5: Train ride to Spoleto
After breakfast, you say goodbye to Spello and take the train to Spoleto. This morning you have time to visit Spoleto. There is a lot to see like the duomo, that can be reached by a scenic stairway. Inside are beautiful frescoes of Filippo Lippi and Pinturicchio. Other sites worth visiting are the Roman house, the San Salvatore church, the Romanesque San Ponziano church, the Rocca Albornoziana fortress sitting on the hilltop above Spoleto, the bridge of the towers (Ponte delle Torri), the Tower dell’Olio, the roman theatre, and the archaeological museum.
Preferred accommodation:
4-star Hotel San LucaDay 6: Walk on Monteluco, 6.8 mi. (11 km)
You will start at the Ponte delle Torri bridge and make your way up Monteluco mountain. The name comes from lucus meaning ‘sacred woods’. It signifies that in ancient times the mountain was considered a holy place. In the 5th century, the hermit Isaac from Antioch lived under Benedictine rule in the woods. Later, followed the Franciscans, who built a monastery. The evergreen oak wood was always very important for the town and was therefore already a protected area in Roman times and during the middle ages. The animals living here include porcupines, wild cats, badgers, and squirrels.In the evening, a farewell dinner will be held at the gourmet restaurant Ristorante Il Tempio del Gusto or Ristorante San Lorenzo.
Walk details:
Elevation gain: 510m
Elevation loss: 483m
Walking time: approx. 4 hoursPreferred accommodation:
4-star Hotel San LucaDay 7: Departure
After breakfast, your tour comes to end.
Be sure to check out all of our bike tours in Europe or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news.Accommodation
You will stay in 4-star accommodations. 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.
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 4 or 6 nights with breakfast
- Tour information meeting
- Dinner on arrival day
- Cooking class, lunch, and wine tasting at organic winery
- 1 tasting menu in enoteca a Spello (wine cellar) (incl wine)
- Dinner at Spoleto (excl. drinks) (only for the 7-day tour)
- Route descriptions & maps
- Luggage transfer
- Back-up service
- GPS tracks (must be requested at least 10 days prior to tour). We suggest downloading maps.me.
What’s Not Included
- Meals not mentioned
- Drinks
- Tourist taxes (from €1 - €4 per person/per night)
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Arrivals are possible on any day (except Fridays) from April 1 to November 1, 2023.
* On request only during holidays, winter months, and during the Spoleto Music Festival (June 23 - July 9).
* No departures between August 7-20, 2023 as wineries are closed/too hot
* Stay of 3 nights in Assisi is required between April 7-10, April 21-25, April 28-May 1, and June 1-03 (inclusive). You will need to add an extra night in Assisi at the start.
* Minimum 2 people requiredPlease Note
- Rates are per person, 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
5-day tour
Double/twin room: $ 1345 £ 720 $ 1,197 € 820 ₪ 3273 ¥ 125300 NZ$ 1482 NOK 9893 kr 9754 $ 896
Single room: $ 1632 £ 873 $ 1,453 € 995 ₪ 3971 ¥ 152041 NZ$ 1799 NOK 12004 kr 11835 $ 1,087
7-day tour
Double/twin room: $ 1870 £ 1000 $ 1,665 € 1140 ₪ 4550 ¥ 174198 NZ$ 2061 NOK 13753 kr 13560 $ 1,245
Single room: $ 2263 £ 1211 $ 2,015 € 1380 ₪ 5508 ¥ 210871 NZ$ 2495 NOK 16649 kr 16415 $ 1,507
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This walking tour is classified as easy-moderate and is self-guided. It is suitable for those looking for relaxed walks, that have some walking experience. It is also suitable for families with children over the age of 8. You will walk along paths and quiet country lanes with a variety of surfaces (asphalt, gravel or dirt trails). Throughout the tour, there are walks in hilly countryside. Moderate ascents and descents of no more than +-520m can be expected. You will be walking 3-5 hours per day, with distances of between 16 and 24 miles (10 - 15 km). The total distance for the 5-day tour is 19.3 - 23 miles (31 - 37 km) and the 7-day tour is 26 - 30 miles (42 -48 km).
Airport Info
Fly to Rome’s Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) International Airport (FCO).
Local Travel
Take the train from Rome Airport to Assisi. The Leonardo Express is a Trenitalia train connecting Fiumicino airport with the main train station in Rome, Termini. It takes roughly 32 minutes and leaves the airport every half-hour, or every 15 minutes during peak hours. It’s a non-stop service from the airport to Termini. The cost of a one-way ticket starts at €8 per person.
There are at least 19 trains each day from Rome’s Termini station to Assisi train station. The train trip takes a minimum of 1 hour and 50 minutes with Trenitalia’s direct trains, either on the high-speed Alta Velocità (AV) Intercity or the slower Regionale Veloce train. The cost of train tickets starts at €10 per person.
For further information on timetables and prices, please visit: http://www.trenitalia.com
Day of Rest
Extra nights at the start/end are always recommended. A stay of 3 nights in Assisi is required between April 7-10, April 21-25„ April 28-May 1, and June 1-03 (inclusive), so you will need to add an extra night in Assisi at the start.
Recommended
We recommend you download maps.me onto your smartphone. This is a great tool to use for navigation with offline maps that can be preloaded onto your phone. You can download it from the Google Play store or using the following link: https://maps.me/
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.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.
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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