Umbria

A friendly cycling tour through the heart of Italy. A journey through nature reserves, historic cities and picturesque villages perched atop gently rolling hills. Three excursions to discover the region’s nature, history, wine and food.

DAY 1 – TRANSFER

Departure from Rovereto (car park at Rovereto Sud motorway exit), by minivan with bike trailer. Accommodation in a B&B outside Spoleto. 

DAY 2 – SPOLETO – NORCIA RAILWAY TRACK

The Spoleto – Norcia cycle path is an impressive example of an old railway track that’s been successfully converted for cycle tourism. This railway had a relatively short lifespan: it was opened in 1926 and decommissioned just a few years later in 1968. With its 19 tunnels (some of which are up to 2 km long), some 24 bridges and viaducts (incredible feats of engineering) and an unusual 4.5% gradient, it can certainly be considered a mountain railway (with 650 m elevation gain). It is situated in the heart of the Umbrian Apennine, winding among canyons and scenic valleys, clear rivers and waterfalls, meadows and woods where precious truffles grow. Today, many people choose to cover this 51 km trail by bicycle, whether a standard bike or, as in our case, by e-bike (which can cover the route in around 5 hours). This is an easy-riding trail with a good surface (15% asphalt, 85% unsurfaced). It will allow us to visit some of Italy’s most charming villages. These include Castel San Felice and Cerreto di Spoleto, and beautiful Norcia, in the Monti Sibillini National Park, an incredibly biodiverse nature reserve. The town of Spoleto itself will captivate you with its picturesque duomo, fortress, palazzos and monuments. 

DAY 3 – MONTEFALCO AND SAGRANTINO

Montefalco is world famous for its Sagrantino, one of the finest Umbrian wines, as well as for its wonderful oil; not to mention the beauty of the surrounding hillsides, planted with neatly alternating olive groves and vineyards. Montefalco is one of the “Borghi più Belli d’Italia” (Italy’s most beautiful villages). Its high-up position, which offers sweeping panoramic views, has earned it the nickname of “Ringhiera dell’Umbria” (“Umbria’s balcony”). This itinerary also takes us through some villages (Campello sul Clitunno, Beroide and Castel San Giovanni) and remarkably beautiful natural settings, such as the Fonti del Clitunno (extolled by Pliny the Younger, Byron and Carducci and painted by Corot): this tranquil oasis is ideal for a relaxing stop-off, a short ride from the Tempietto del Clitunno, which is a world heritage site. This route covers 41km with a cumulative elevation gain of 400m, mostly on asphalt. 

DAY 4 SPOLETO – ASSISI, TRANSFER

The Spoleto-Assisi cycle path is a pleasant, mostly flat route between two world famous cities. The path is around 50km long. It follows the banks of the Marroggia, Beverone, Timia torrents and the Topino river, and links the towns of Spoleto, Campello sul Clitunno, Trevi, Montefalco, Foligno, Bevagna, Cannara and lastly Assisi. From Spoleto we can choose whether to cycle up the ancient paths of Monteluco. This has been a holy mountain since pagan times, and used as a place for retreat and meditation, first by Syriac hermits and later by St. Francis and his followers. To this day, they live in the small monastery on the edge of the forest, once consecrated to the god Jupiter. At Campello sul Clitunno we can make a detour on the tracks leading to the castles of Pissignano and Campello Alto, before following one of the itineraries on the Strade dell’Olio (Oil Routes). 

DAY 5 – TRANSFER

Departure by minivan and return to Rovereto. 

The price includes: 

• Transfer by minivan
• B&B Accommodation for 4 nights, with breakfast included
• Activities as outlined
• SIEB certified guide for every excursion
• Medical and baggage insurance
• Admin fees 

Optional rental of dual-suspension e-bike (helmet included): € 105.

Tourist tax not included.

Note: the order of the excursions may change. 

Price with a group of 4 people: € 870

Price with a group of 5 people: € 720

Price with a group of 6 people: € 645

Price with a group of 7 people: € 590

Price with a group of 8 people: € 535