3000 EURO PER PERSON
This memorable journey will take you into Umbria, the green heart of Italy. Nature abounds in its verdant mountains, deep valleys, and gushing rivers. Here, man settled many centuries ago and left his mark by building charming towns and cultivating the lands, much unchanged today. The area exudes art and history; skillful hands craft exceptional gifts from nature such as olive oil, wine, cheese, and truffles. Stepping out of the door will give us the feeling of entering a postcard, one we can smell, touch and enjoy with all our senses!
Our journey culminates at the hill town of Assisi, the birth and final resting place of St. Francis. A Saint of amazing character admired and respected by people of many cultures and religions, Saint Francis is known not only for his miracles but most of all for his humanity, his joy, and his love for people and life. To add to his talents, he was also a fine literate and a poet. Our paths will lead to the places where he grew up, lived, and was inspired, throughout many significant moments of his life. We will follow his steps and learn his story through the art and literature that was dedicated to him or written by him.
Come experience nature, cuisine, history, poetry, music, and traditions on this unique journey as we walk through the life of Saint Francis of Assisi.
What’s Included
- Pick up in Terni (north of Rome)
- 8-days of van support during trip for you & your luggage
- 7 nights in carefully selected hotels with private bathrooms
- Bi-lingual guide
- Daily maps & historical information
- Full van support
- A pilgrim credential (passport)
- Healthy snacks provided by your guides
- All breakfasts
- Six dinners, wine included
- Guided tour of the St. Francis Basilica in Assisi
- Spontaneous side trips!
PRIVATE tailor-made trips are available upon request. Please ask us for details.
Itinerary
DAY 1: TERNI – ARRONE, 10 km – 6.2 miles
We meet at the train station of Terni at 10 AM. A short drive brings us to the shores of the beautiful lake of Piediluco, where we begin our walking adventure. Following the river Velino we reach Marmore. Since Roman times men have struggled to empty these marshes by diverting the marshland water into the deep valley below. In 1598, after centuries of effort, an artificial canal project designed by the architect Giovanni Fontana came into being. Over the subsequent 200 years the project continued and finally resulted in a marvellous waterfall. The ‘Cascata’ amazed visitors from all over Europe and today is still one of the main attractions in Umbria. We will descent alongside this dramatic waterfall and continue on a gentle route into the Nera valley, to reach the perfectly preserved hilltop village of Casteldilago.
The location of our hotel, in the historical quarter on top of the hill, will give us the feeling of living a fairy tale. Tiny pedestrian streets, the small square dedicated to St. Valentine, the scent of flower from the balconies and the romantic atmosphere make this place truly magic!
DAY 2: ARRONE – CESELLI, 17 km – 10.6 m
Today, we will walk along the river Nera and make our way to the quaint town of Ferentillo. Here, we can admire a church that dates from the 12th to the 16th century, which is built on two levels and is overlooked by a medieval fortress known as the ‘Rocca.’
Our journey continues beside the river, surrounded by the lush green mountains that rise around us. After our walk, we will drive back to spend a second evening at San Pietro in Valle. This abbey was founded in 720 AD by Faroaldo II, Duke of Spoleto, and it features exquisite frescoes, marble works, and ancient sarcophagi.
DAY 3: CESELLI – SPOLETO, 13 km – 8 miles
The Monti Spoletini mountain range separates the Nera Valley from the Spoleto Valley, making this stage hilly and more challenging than the previous ones; however, it is well worth the effort. With our van support, it is possible for everyone to participate, as we can skip part of the ascent and descent and walk only the most scenic sections.
In the morning, the hiking trail takes us through woods, forests, creeks, and abandoned hamlets, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains, gorge, and valley below. Once we reach the summit and begin our descent, we gradually encounter civilization again—small farms and houses lead us to the sacred wood of Monteluco, and finally to Spoleto.
The entrance into this renowned town is truly impressive. A magnificent bridge, likely of Roman origin, connects the two sides of the valley. The lively and enchanting town is rich in history and art, and it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011.
DAY 4: SPOLETO – PORETA, 14 km – 8.7 miles
“I’ve never seen anything more pleasing than my Spoletina valley” exclaimed Saint Francis himself upon admiring the beauty of the fields, the olive groves and the little towns that make up the region between Spoleto and Assisi. Our walk today follows trails that connect several hamlets surrounded by olives, oak trees, and pine forests. Up and down the slopes of the hills we criss-cross the villages of Eggi, Bazzano Inferiore and Superiore, Santa Maria, Reggiano and finally Poreta, dominated by its impressive castle located on top of a steep hill. After the walk we visit an amazing olive oil farm dating back to the 17th century, where we have a taste of their best products and a detailed explanation of olive oil production. We then drive back to Spoleto to enjoy another evening in town.
DAY 5: PORETA – TREVI, 12 km – 7.5 miles
Today our walk might be a little slower as the marvellous landscape and vistas offer many occasions to take pictures, meditate or simply to take a rest and enjoy. As we leave Poreta the path climbs through centuries-old olive groves. Throughout the age’s men have modified the steep slopes, building terraces and dry-stone walls to cultivate and obtain an exceptional oil. The white walls that encircle the 1000-year-old village of Campello Alto stand out over the green Monte Serrano, while further along our walk the impressive and extensive wall of the Eremo delle Allodole crowns the hill of San Benedetto. Finally, we arrive at Trevi, considered an authentic open-air museum for its art, nature, and landscape that one finds in every corner of the town. In addition, Trevi is also known as the capital of olive oil. A just reward for our efforts today!
DAY 6: TREVI – SPELLO, 19 km – 11.8 miles
Our walk starts in the high part of town, a great sightseeing point on the Valle Centrale Umbra. Today the journey is easier as it is mostly a gradual descent towards Foligno. This lively city, according to legend, is located in the exact centre of Italy and therefore it has always been considered (in these parts at least!) the centre of the ancient world. In the afternoon a leisurely and gentle walk leads us to Spello. This little town is a real jewel of Umbria: still surrounded by its defensive walls with original roman gates, tiny streets rambling between wonderful palaces and over twenty churches, most of them dating back to the middle age.
DAY 7: SPELLO – ASSISI, 16 km – 10 m
This last stage is one of the most breathtaking of the entire route, as it climbs on top of Monte Subasia and includes different natural environments. As the climb is a challenging one, we offer the opportunity to skip the hardest sections to enjoy the walk and the view from the top or, for the hardiest amongst you, to walk the whole thing. From the olive groves of Spello the pathway climbs steadily, reaching pine and then oak forests. Our dirt road gets narrower and turns into a mountain trail that leads to a spring. A refreshing place for a drink! From here the path follows between the forest and the meadows, continuing along the crest until it reaches Sasso Piano, literally meaning flat rock. Our destination lies in the valley below, but first we visit another special place en route to Assisi. Walking downhill we arrive to the Eremo delle Carceri (UNESCO site): this is one of the places where Saint Francis and his brothers used to retreat in a voluntary segregation from the world. At those times it was already a place of meditation and according to tradition it was frequented by hermits from the early Christian age.
Our way continues and as we get nearer, the excitement grows: once we cross the gate of Porta Perlici the magnificence and glory of the holy town embrace us combining the joy of accomplishment with the genuine welcome of the Umbrian people. Benvenuti ad Assisi!
DAY 8: ASSISI
Accompanied by our guides, we will meet with a local historian for a tour of the outstanding UNESCO heritage monument the Basilica of Saint Francis. After the tour, we will say our fond farewells or arrivederci!
* This itinerary may change slightly due to accommodation availability, rain, festivals, and spontaneous side trips.
** You will see the number of kilometers mentioned with the daily description. We are flexible in the amount you personally walk. We have the van to assist in whatever amount you would like to walk on this pilgrimage.
*** This is not an endurance race, nor a competition. Please be respectful of all the different paces and walks of life that come together on this group trip.
**** There may be several occasions where we sleep for two nights in one hotel or B&B due to lack of accommodations where we end our daily stage of the walk. Most people find this to be an advantage as you can unpack or take a rest day if you chose not to walk one day.
Location
Gallery
FAQs
How many miles do we hike per day?
We average between 8-11 miles or 13-17 kilometers per day. We encourage people to ride in the van if feeling fatigued. Most pilgrims walking the trail independently walk at least 25 kilometers per day with a heavy pack. With Spanish Steps, we have the luxury of a fully supported van, which carries our baggage and carries us the extra mile when needed.
What kind of hotels do we use?
We use beautifully restored farmhouses known as Agriturismi and beautiful hotels in towns, mostly historical building and former noble’s palaces. Sometimes we spend 2 nights at the same hotel, avoiding the nuisance to pack every day: this involves a short group transfer at the beginning and end of the day. All rooms have private bathrooms. The smaller inns have no phone or TV in the room.
Is there WIFI at our hotels?
Our hotels nearly always have free WIFI available although it is often just in the lobby/public areas. We generally stay at historical hotels, which often have thick walls, so WIFI rarely works in the rooms. Most bars and cafes enroute have free WIFI also.
How many meals are included?
All continental breakfasts and six dinners with wine and water are included in the price of this tour. Our hotels are happy to provide a vegetarian option should it be required. Lunches and ONE dinner will be at your own expense. There are shops along the trail to purchase sandwich items and fruit, or plan to eat at one of the cafes or restaurants along the way. The van will be stocked with healthy snacks and water. If you have any dietary restrictions, be sure to let us know what they are before the start of this trip.
How does one get to TERNI?
- There are many trains from Rome Termini or Rome Tiburtina to Terni or from Fiumicino Airport to Rome and then to Terni. www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en.
- The trip by train takes about an hour, so in order to be in Terni by 10 AM, you can travel the same morning we start the tour. There is a regular train from Rome Termini at 7:58 am arriving in Terni at 9AM and a regular train from Rome Tiburtina at 8:25 arriving in Terni at 9:57 am.
- If you wish to hire a private transport service from Rome City, from the Airport, or from another town, please let us know in advance and we can help you to arrange it.
What kind of equipment should I pack?
The hikes are not fancy. I will supply you with an equipment list of basic items to pack. You are limited to one bag weighing 30-lbs and a one-day pack to hold items such as your camera, rain gear and water bottle. Hiking/trail shoes or lightweight hiking boots will be your most important pieces of equipment. Please be sure they are well broken in and that you have proper socks before arriving in Spain. Some of our hotels have outdoor swimming pools (not always open) so bring a bathing suit if you would like to swim.
How do I access spending money/how much should I bring?
Most people travel with an ATM card. Money machines are everywhere in Spain but be sure you know your PIN number before departing the US. Do not bring traveler’s checks (most banks will turn you away.) Most expenses are already built into Spanish Steps trips. Lunches will be a separate expense. The Menu del Dia or Menu del Peregrino is available at local cafes and will cost between 9-12 Euros. There are three course meals with wind and water included – a great value.
Should I leave a gratuity for our guides?
This is a very common question my clients ask–As a person working hard in the service industry to please the traveler, a gratuity is much appreciated by the staff members at the end of the tour. As a general guideline, people tip around 10 Euros per day, per guide. For trips where we have a bus driver, a gratuity of around 15 Euros per person at the end of the trip would be appreciated.
What is the average age of the group?
The average age of the hiker on a Spanish Steps tour is 50 years old during the spring and fall months but younger during the summer months. Most trips are a mix of a 40/60 ratio of men to women. I have taken school groups where the age range is 13- 20 years old. With an eager heart and a mind full of curiosities, a healthy person of any age is able to walk the Camino. Pilgrims of all ages are welcome of course!
What is the terrain like?
The trails are well marked with yellow arrows and the scallop shell tile. There are some long, slow climbs through farming ares but not Himalayan or Rocky Mountain terrain. The paths are well worn and are not difficult. We walk along a lot of secondary farm road, paths through vineyards, beech and chestnut forests and old country roads.
Is there a single supplement?
Some people would like to be matched with a roommate. I can’t guarantee a match but will try to place you with someone if there are any requests. The price of the single supplement is 500 EUROS per person for this eight-day trip.
Can you provide references?
We would be delighted to share with you some references from former clients who have walked with us. If you would like to contact any former Spanish Steps participants, let us know by calling us. Check out our Customer Comments.