Walking in Umbria

Sandwiched between Rome and Florence yet remarkably unspoilt, Umbria is Italy's only landlocked region and one of its most rewarding walking destinations. Known as the Green Heart of Italy, it combines rolling hills rising to the Apennines and Sibillini mountains with ancient villages, Roman and Etruscan ruins, UNESCO World Heritage towns, dense woodland, and nature reserves across six distinct walking areas.

40 day walks ranging from 3 to 19km (2 to 12 miles) and taking 1 to 5 hours are described in this second edition guidebook by expert author Gillian Price. It pairs clear route descriptions with detailed information on accommodation, public transport, and facilities to help you explore the Green Heart of Italy with confidence.

• The 40 walks are graded 1 to 3 and organised across six areas covering Alta Val Tiberina and Gubbio, Lago Trasimeno and its islands, Orvieto and Todi, Assisi and Monte Subasio, Spoleto and the Valnerina, and Norcia and the Sibillini
• Sketch maps are included for every walk alongside detailed information on accommodation, public transport, and facilities, with notes on culinary delights helping you make the most of Umbrian food and drink
• Highlights include Assisi, glorious Orvieto and its medieval aqueduct, Lago Trasimeno and the islands of Isola Maggiore and Isola Polvese, the Piano Grande di Castelluccio, Monte Cucco, and the wonderful Valnerina
• Background sections cover Umbria's history, plants, flowers, and wildlife, giving rich context for the Roman and Etruscan ruins, medieval hilltowns, and dense woodland you encounter on the trail
• Bases include Perugia, Assisi, Gubbio, Norcia, Spoleto, Orvieto, and Passignano sul Trasimeno, with the region sitting conveniently between Rome and Florence for easy access

With walks spanning UNESCO hilltowns, crater lakes, Roman ruins, and the high Sibillini peaks, this second edition guidebook captures the full variety of walking in Umbria in a single volume. Discover the very best of the region from hiking expert Gillian Price.

Seasons

Spring to autumn, but year-round is possible - except for mountainous areas in winter where snow is common.

Centres

Perugia, Assisi, Gubbio, Norcia, Spoleto, Orvieto, Passignano sul Trasimeno, Umbertide, Montone

Difficulty

Walks are graded 1-3, from easy to difficult.

Must See

Assisi, Lago Trasimeno and its islands, Spoleto and its famous aqueduct bridge, Monte Cucco, Piano Grande di Castelluccio and Norcia in the Sibillini, wonderful Valnerina and its railway line, Monte Tezio over the upper Tiber valley, glorious Orvieto and the medieval way from Lago Bolsena, medieval Gubbio.

Overview maps

Legend

Introduction

A potted history

Plants and flowers

Wildlife

Getting there

Local transport

Information

When to go

Accommodation

Culinary delights

What to take

Maps

Dos and don’ts

Emergencies

Using this guide

1 Alta Val Tiberina, Gubbio and Monte Cucco

Walk 1 Monte Santa Maria Tiberina

Walk 2 Monte Falcone

Walk 3 Rocca d’Aries

Walk 4 Monte Tezio

Walk 5 Monte Foce

Walk 6 Above Gubbio

Walk 7 Monte Cucco

Walk 8 Val di Rio Freddo

2 Lago Trasimeno and environs

Walk 9 Tuoro and Monte Gualandro

Walk 10 Passignano Ridge

Walk 11 Isola Maggiore

Walk 12 Isola Polvese

Walk 13 Montemelino and Montesperello

Walk 14 Paciano and Monte Pausillo

Walk 15 Monte Arale

3 Orvieto and Todi

Walk 16 Orvieto ring walk

Walk 17 Orvieto Aqueduct loop

Walk 18 Orvieto to Bolsena

Walk 19 Titignano Loop

Walk 20 Titignano to Roccaccia

Walk 21 Civitella del Lago

Walk 22 Todi and the River Tiber

Walk 23 Vasciano–Montenero

4 Assisi and around

Walk 24 Bettona–Collemancio

Walk 25 Monte Subasio

Walk 26 Spello and Monte Pietrolungo

Walk 27 Bevagna to Montefalco

5 Spoleto and the Valnerina

Walk 28 Spoleto and Monteluco

Walk 29 Giro dei Condotti

Walk 30 Spoleto to Sant’Anatolia di Narco

Walk 31 Valnerina 1

Walk 32 Monte Coscerno

Walk 33 Roccaporena to Cascia

Walk 34 Monte Meraviglia

6 Norcia and the Sibillini

Walk 35 Preci and Sant’Eutizio

Walk 36 Campi to Norcia

Walk 37 Monte Patino

Walk 38 Monte delle Rose

Walk 39 Piano Grande di Castelluccio

Walk 40 Dogana Loop

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Italian–English Glossary

Appendix C Useful contacts