Umbrian Hike and/ or Drive?
Sep 30th, 2004, 09:27 PM
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Umbrian Hike and/ or Drive?
I'd really like to have a relaxing yet partially active trip to Italy with my husband (who as never been to Europe)He's an active person so I'm hoping to hike a bit in Umbria and stay in various towns. Would it be easy to hike between some of the towns or would it be better to rent a car and use the towns a base for hiking?
Are there good hiking trails in the area, between towns or near them? I haven't decided which towns would be the best to visit, we like small, less-touristed areas. We fly into Florence and stay for 2 nights then do our Umbrian tour for 6 nights and then head up to Germany for another 7 nights.
Are there good hiking trails in the area, between towns or near them? I haven't decided which towns would be the best to visit, we like small, less-touristed areas. We fly into Florence and stay for 2 nights then do our Umbrian tour for 6 nights and then head up to Germany for another 7 nights.
Oct 1st, 2004, 01:21 AM
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My guidebook says there is a hike between Spello and Assisi that I would love to do sometime--I am not sure how rigorous it is, though.
Other than that, I haven't heard of many hikes between cities. I would consider checking out areas in the Valnerina (Norcia area) because I think that is a good walking area. We've also hiked over at Casteluccio (near Le Marche) where there is a lot of good hiking to be done as well.
Other than that, I haven't heard of many hikes between cities. I would consider checking out areas in the Valnerina (Norcia area) because I think that is a good walking area. We've also hiked over at Casteluccio (near Le Marche) where there is a lot of good hiking to be done as well.
Oct 1st, 2004, 02:07 AM
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If you google <walking tours Umbria>, you'll get thousands of hits. This is one that came up:
http://www.thewayfarers.com/it/umbr_w.html
If you look at the itinerary, it may give you a better idea of what's doable.
http://www.thewayfarers.com/it/umbr_w.html
If you look at the itinerary, it may give you a better idea of what's doable.
Oct 1st, 2004, 02:42 AM
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There is a very good walking guide to Tuscany published by Sunflower books. I first read about it on this site, and thought it was very useful. Their website is http://www.sunflowerbooks.co.uk. They rate hikes by difficulty and time it takes to complete all or each section, and give good directions on how to reach each walk. They also have suggestions for tours by car with short hikes. They publish many other walking guides to various places in Europe.
You might enjoy one of the walking holidays in Italy offered by ATG Oxford Tours, a UK operator. The hiking is good, not too strenuous, and some of their tours have lectures for sights or special interests, like cooking. Groups are small and congenial, and there are often younger people on them as well. You can also use one of their self-tour options and hike on your own while they move your luggage and take care of hotel bookings, and they give you trail maps and advice. Take a look at http://www.atg-oxford.co.uk. I highly recommend this group.
You might enjoy one of the walking holidays in Italy offered by ATG Oxford Tours, a UK operator. The hiking is good, not too strenuous, and some of their tours have lectures for sights or special interests, like cooking. Groups are small and congenial, and there are often younger people on them as well. You can also use one of their self-tour options and hike on your own while they move your luggage and take care of hotel bookings, and they give you trail maps and advice. Take a look at http://www.atg-oxford.co.uk. I highly recommend this group.
Oct 1st, 2004, 06:23 AM
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It's not really a hike, but a very enjoyable walk is to Civita di Bagnoreggio, a short, scenic drive from Orvieto. This is the tiny, hilltop town you see pictures of where it seems as if the town is floating in the clouds. The only way there is to walk and only about 20 people now live in the town. This was one of our highlights on the last trip, good for 1/2 day.
Nov 3rd, 2004, 07:26 PM
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There are many well-marked(red and white with trail number)hiking trails in Umbria. Two maps quite useful: Kompass 1:50,000 sheet K664,Gubbio-Fabriano (scenic but less visit)
Kompass 1:50:000, sheet K663 Perugia-Assisi.
Public transports are quite good in the area. With some planning,you could hike between towns/one base without car.
The trail between Assisi and Spello is quite easy and well marked,about 15KM, takes 6 hours (including picnic lunch). The route will take you to Eremo Delle Carceri-the retreat of San Francis-located in the woods, very beautiful. Frequent trains from Spello back to Assisi,takes about 10 minutes.
The new Francesco Way:a long but easy trail(very well-marked) from Assisi to Gubbio,takes about 3 days. There are several other short routes from Assisi for day trips also.
For some things more challenging,you could base at Gubbio(lovely,well-kept medieval town,my favorite in Umbria),hike around Parco del Cucco,the sceneries on mountain ranges and meadows are most breathtaking.
Spoleto is another good base for hiking, the routes around the vally of Valnerina area are less strenuous,but no less beautiful,especially doted with many sleepy little medieval villages.
Kompass 1:50:000, sheet K663 Perugia-Assisi.
Public transports are quite good in the area. With some planning,you could hike between towns/one base without car.
The trail between Assisi and Spello is quite easy and well marked,about 15KM, takes 6 hours (including picnic lunch). The route will take you to Eremo Delle Carceri-the retreat of San Francis-located in the woods, very beautiful. Frequent trains from Spello back to Assisi,takes about 10 minutes.
The new Francesco Way:a long but easy trail(very well-marked) from Assisi to Gubbio,takes about 3 days. There are several other short routes from Assisi for day trips also.
For some things more challenging,you could base at Gubbio(lovely,well-kept medieval town,my favorite in Umbria),hike around Parco del Cucco,the sceneries on mountain ranges and meadows are most breathtaking.
Spoleto is another good base for hiking, the routes around the vally of Valnerina area are less strenuous,but no less beautiful,especially doted with many sleepy little medieval villages.
Nov 3rd, 2004, 07:48 PM
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Good replies. I do also have a walking guide, though again it is of Tuscany....a small part covers a walk in the Perugia, so thats it on Umbria. I can highly recommend the trails around Pitigliano, Sovana and Sorano in So. Tuscany. Extremely historical as they were made by the Etruscans and still used. You can walk to Etrucsan sites. For Umbria, Judy has some great info and you may stop to see if you can get a local hiking guide while there and ask the locals for hikes of interest, I'm sure they abound. Good luck, please post trip report...we want to hear.
