Umbria - Culinary Walking Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Assisi
Day 2: Discover Assisi, 5 or 8.7 mi. (8 or 14 km)
Day 3: Walk to Spello, wine-tasting, 9 mi. (14 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.

Sample accommodation: 4-star Fontebella

Day 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 center.

Walk details:
Elevation gain: 262m
Elevation loss: 364m
Walking time: approx. 3-4.5 hours (longer route additional +1h15)

Sample accommodation: 4-star Hotel Fontebella

Day 3: Walk to Spello, wine-tasting, 9 mi. (14 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 in the Assisi d.o.c. area. After visiting the wine cellars, you'll have the opportunity for a wine tasting combined with local products. 

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 center, which has a number of monuments testifying to the Roman era. Spello also has 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 historic center.

Walk details:
Elevation gain: 275m
Elevation loss: 354m
Walking time: approx. 4 hours

Sample accommodation: 4-star Hotel la Bastiglia 

Day 4: Circular walk from Spello, 7.5 mi. (12 km)
Walk the lovely ring route in the 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 is 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*
- Meatballs of Chianina with salat/wine Sagrantino 25 anni Caprai* 
- Dessert, caffè and grappa

* Menu or wines can change slightly according to the season or availability.

Walk details:

Elevation gain: 484m
Elevation loss: 365m
Walking time: approx. 4 hours

Sample accommodation: 4-star Hotel la Bastiglia 

Day 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, wine-tasting, 9 mi. (14 km)
Day 4: Circular walk from Spello, 7.5 mi. (12 km)
Day 5: Transfer to Spoleto, afternoon cooking class
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.

Sample accommodation: 4-star Hotel Fontebella

Day 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 center.

Walk details:
Elevation gain: 262m
Elevation loss: 364m
Walking time: approx. 3-4.5 hours (longer route additional +1h15)

Sample accommodation: 4-star Hotel Fontebella

Day 3: Walk to Spello, wine-tasting, 9 mi. (14 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 in the Assisi d.o.c. area. After visiting the wine cellars, you'll have the opportunity for a wine tasting combined with local products. 

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 center, which has a number of monuments testifying to the Roman era. Spello also has 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 historic center

Walk details:
Elevation gain: 275m
Elevation loss: 354m
Walking time: approx. 4 hours

Sample accommodation: 4-star Hotel la Bastiglia 

Day 4: Circular walk from Spello, 7.5 mi. (12 km)
Walk the lovely ring route in the 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 is 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*
- Meatballs of Chianina with salat/wine Sagrantino 25 anni Caprai* 
- Dessert, caffè and grappa

* Menu or wines can change slightly according to the season or availability.

Walk details:

Elevation gain: 484m
Elevation loss: 365m
Walking time: approx. 4 hours

Sample accommodation: 4-star Hotel la Bastiglia 

Day 5: Transfer by taxi to Spoleto, explore Spoleto, and afternoon cooking class
After breakfast, you say goodbye to Spello. At 9:30 am you are transferred 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. Later that afternoon, enjoy a cooking lesson and during dinner, you'll taste the dishes that you prepared!

Sample accommodation: 4-star Hotel dei Duchi

Day 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 hours

Sample accommodation: 4-star Hotel dei Duchi

Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, your tour comes to an end.

Be sure to check out all of our bike tours in Europe or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news.