High Paths to Assisi – Escorted
We follow paths along the high route from Spoleto to Assisi, birthplace of St Francis. Enjoy spectacular views heading northwards along the ridge of the Apennines via ancient olive grove tracks and pilgrim paths traversing attractive agricultural and pastoral countryside, with a plethora of wildflowers in the spring.
Along the way we pass tiny, fortified, hilltop villages, castles and monasteries rich in art and history including Roman remains and superb frescoes, all enticingly ‘undiscovered’ by comparison with their Tuscan counterparts. There is also delicious Umbrian food to eat at every stop and excellent wines, notably the prized red wines of the DOC vineyards of Montefalco: Sagrantino and Rosso di Montefalco.
Assisi makes for a memorable finish. It is among the three or four most important pilgrimage places in the Christian world. The frescoes in the Basilica (by Giotto, Cimabue and others) alongside the 14th-century architecture and stained-glass windows, are truly world class.
Duration: 8 days
Trip dates:
02 - 09 May 2026
Itinerary
From Rome Fiumicino airport, we travel by road to the medieval hill town of Spoleto where we stay in the heart of the medieval city (2 hours).
A peaceful hill town with a fine cathedral, interesting sights and pleasant walks. Spoleto was an important Umbrian settlement, its oldest circle of walls dates back to the 3rd century BC when it became the Roman colony Spoletium.
Elegant hotel in converted palazzo
From Spoleto, we follow farm tracks through olive groves and a succession of small, picturesque medieval villages with long views across the wide Umbra Valley, to Poreta, with its castle and extensive medieval walled defences (11.5 miles, 6.5 hours).
An enchanting village with the medieval Castello di Poreta, positioned at the top of the hillside, at 470m altitude.
Agriturismo: authentic, luxurious farm resort
Small lanes and tracks lead up to Campello Alto, a delightful medieval hilltop village with wonderful views, and then on to the village of Pissignano, with its majestic 11th-century castle. Ancient olive grove terraces then lead us via spectacular scenery, and a Roman aqueduct, to the ancient hilltop town of Trevi, with its excellent churches and museums housing numerous art treasures - frescoes by Perugino and Lo Spagna - and interesting museum of olive oil (8.1 miles, 5.5 hours).
18th century hilltop town set among olive groves on the flank of Mt Serano, built in a spiral formation with spectacular views over the Umbrian countryside.
Elegant hotel in historic building with pool
We continue along the slope of Monte Serano, offering splendid views over the valley. We walk via a series of tiny, remote hilltop villages, Roman settlements and an impressive ‘keep’ before descending to our family-run agriturismo with pool on the edge of the small village of Carpello (9.2 miles, 5 hours).
The views and panoramic pool are the highlight of your stay at a country house in the small village of Carpello. Just a short distance away is Foligno, a town with a significant Roman past and charming historical centre featuring noble palaces, beautiful churches and a cathedral. Also nearby is Sassovivo Abbey. Founded by the Benedictines in around 1070, the centrepiece of the abbey is a particularly fine Romanesque cloister in white marble.
Country Villa dating back to 1400’s with pool
Paths lead gently up through oak forests and olive groves to the impressively situated 11th-century Benedictine Abbey of Santa Croce in Sassovivo, with important artistic and architectural features. We then descend gradually, through juniper and pine forest, via waterfalls and ancient hamlets, across the Topino Valley, up and on to the splendid Roman, medieval town of Spello (13.4 miles, 7 hours).
Quietly appealing and restful, this hill town of pinkish grey stone has a long history as an escape from the demands of city life. This is where the faithful legionnaires of Emperor Augustus came to retire.
Family-run boutique hotel with terrace, heated pool and excellent restaurant
We set off early to climb the high flower-filled pastures of Monte Subasio (1,290m / 4,232ft), or take a ride to near the top to enjoy astonishing views. We descend along the path walked by St Francis into the heart of Assisi and the city's best hotel (5*) (11 miles, 2.5 + 4 hours).
Famous for Italy’s premier saint, St Francis, founder of the Franciscan order. With its muted, pinkish masonry and small streets, the town still retains much of its medieval charm. There is an abundance of historic churches and monuments to visit and, surrounded by olive groves and scenic vistas, Assisi offers a serene blend of history, art, and peaceful countryside.
Stunning new hotel in converted monastery in the old town; indoor pool and spa uniquely housed in its Roman foundations
Free day to explore Assisi, or visit the nearby Carceri hermitage, San Damiano or Santa Maria degli Angeli.
Stunning new hotel in converted monastery in the old town; indoor pool and spa uniquely housed in its Roman foundations
Return to Rome Fiumicino airport by road (2.5 hours).
Trip Planner
Walking & Terrain
Moderate to challenging walking. This is an 8-day trip, with walks offered on 5 days. The length of each day varies from 5 hours to a maximum of 7 hours walking. Hours of walking, which may vary from group to group, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas.
The paths are varied: dirt / gravel tracks, woodland paths, grassy meadows, forest paths and ancient olive grove tracks, and tarmac near towns. There are some steep ascents/descents, including a few stretches of steep rocky/gravelly downhill track. In wet weather short sections of the route become muddy. On the final walking day, there is a big climb over the summit of a large, fairly isolated mountain. There are no vertiginous sections of path.
On certain days our walk takes us into the hills where the paths cross a more rugged terrain — please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient foot and ankle support. Some of our walks are very weather sensitive. If it is not possible to do a walk due to inclement weather, an alternative will be organised. Any such decision is at the discretion of the Tour Leader.
Our support vehicles allow you the flexibility to walk 'as much or as little as you like', with drop-offs and pick-ups appropriate to the given day's itinerary. The Tour Leader will tell you each evening about the following day's walking options.
Walking & Terrain
Moderate to challenging walking. This is an 8-day trip, with walks offered on 5 days. The length of each day varies from 5 hours to a maximum of 7 hours walking. Hours of walking, which may vary from group to group, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas.
The paths are varied: dirt / gravel tracks, woodland paths, grassy meadows, forest paths and ancient olive grove tracks, and tarmac near towns. There are some steep ascents/descents, including a few stretches of steep rocky/gravelly downhill track. In wet weather short sections of the route become muddy. On the final walking day, there is a big climb over the summit of a large, fairly isolated mountain. There are no vertiginous sections of path.
On certain days our walk takes us into the hills where the paths cross a more rugged terrain — please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient foot and ankle support. Some of our walks are very weather sensitive. If it is not possible to do a walk due to inclement weather, an alternative will be organised. Any such decision is at the discretion of the Tour Leader.
Our support vehicles allow you the flexibility to walk 'as much or as little as you like', with drop-offs and pick-ups appropriate to the given day's itinerary. The Tour Leader will tell you each evening about the following day's walking options.
Your Personal ATG Route Manager
Route Book
The ATG Route Book is a detailed, day-to-day guide. The book anticipates your needs with easy-to-follow instructions, maps, plans and other information that will guide you to discover the best that the area has to offer and is the key to the success of an independent holiday with us.
Walking App
Your Route Manager can provide you with a link to download an app to your smartphone. This app provides the GPS track for your route on your phone. You can use this digital support to find your position and navigate the route, even without an internet connection or mobile phone reception.
Accommodation & Meals
The hotels we stay in are characteristic of the area and the towns we visit.
All evening meals are included and are taken either in the hotel or in local restaurants. At dinner, the Tour Manager will tell you about each evening’s menu and if there is anything else that you would prefer, you only have to ask. Dress code is smart-casual.
Each day the Tour Manager will meet you with one of ATG’s celebrated picnic lunches. You will be greeted with mineral water and a starter followed by wine and an abundant lunch of local organic produce and specialities. Picnics are colourful, varied and nutritious. Buffet-style, there is a choice of meats, cheeses, substantial salads, bread and fruit…and pudding. If it is cold there will be a hot dish.
Food & Wine
Umbrian cuisine dates back to Etruscan times. Since then each town has developed its own take on the area’s intense flavours and rich dishes centred around fabulous, fresh vegetables, delicious olive oils, a variety of grains and pulses, and high quality meats. Truffles are of course the most famous Umbrian speciality, and whilst you might not be able to find a freshly dug one, you will always be able to find a canned or bottled version. They are used sparingly in such things as omelettes or specialities like crostini al tartufo (small croutons with a truffle paste). Inevitably pasta features heavily, often served with rich sauces of garlic, tomatoes and cheese, and with meat or with truffle sauces. Meat and game feature quite largely on the menu, including dishes such as porchetta, a variation on roast pork stuffed with herbs and spices, and palombaccia, wild pigeon, roasted and then cooked in a sauce of wine, oil vinegar and herbs. You can try a selection of the local wines, notably the prized red wines of the DOC vineyards of Montefalco: Sagrantino and Rosso di Montefalco.
History
Most towns we visit are of Etruscan origin. Spoleto and Spello have important Roman remains and the area boasts 100,000 local saints! The region is renowned for its great religious movements of the Middle Ages – including the Battuti and, of course, St Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare – as well as for the Condottieri (military leaders of the Middle Ages) and intercity rivalries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Escorted trips are accompanied by two of ATG’s fully trained Tour Consultants, from the moment they welcome you at the airport, through to the end-of trip airport transfer. The Tour Manager looks after the practical side of the trip – luggage transport, hotels, food and drink. The Tour Leader will lead each day’s walk, and after dinner each evening will tell you about the following day’s itinerary. Both Tour Consultants will explain their role, and how the trip will run, on the first evening at dinner.
Please let us know about any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that our Tour Consultants can ensure that you are catered for during your holiday. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our trips and the Tour Manager can discuss your requirements in more detail with you at the start of your trip.
The walks are graded according to difficulty but you can walk as much or as little as you like.
Easy: walking along well-established paths and tracks with some short ascents/descents. These trips are suitable for most people who enjoy occasional exercise.
Easy to Moderate: walking along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces. Ascents/descents up to 1 hour. These trips are suitable for most people who have a reasonable level of fitness.
Moderate: walking along a variety of paths and tracks. Occasional uneven areas. Ascents/descents 1-2 hours. These trips are suitable for those who have a reasonable to good level of fitness.
Moderate to Challenging: walking along varied paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents/descents of 2-3 hours. These trips are suitable for more experienced walkers who have a good level of fitness.
Single travellers will be booked into a double room which will carry a single occupancy supplement.
Flights are not included in the price of your ATG holiday and should be booked independently. We will advise you of the group meeting time at the destination airport and return transfer time to the airport at the end of your trip to enable you to book compatible flights.
Yes. All of our escorted trips can be booked privately, you can book a set departure or a date to suit you (subject to availability). In most instances if the group is 13-16 clients we will offer the trip at the published price. For 12 or fewer clients we would provide a bespoke costing.
On escorted trips everything is included (per the published itinerary) apart from items of a personal nature and snacks or drinks outside of the set meals.
We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension hotel booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.
ATG does not provide any form of insurance cover. However, it is a condition of booking that you have fully comprehensive insurance cover, including:
Cancellation/curtailment up to the cost of the holiday (preferably including flights)
Medical emergencies and repatriation
Travel delay / missed departure
Lost or stolen personal belongings
Personal liability
Legal expenses
Natural Disasters
Although most credit card companies offer travel insurance as something that is included when paying the balance with the card, it may be advisable to check that the cover offered is what you expect it to be. Very few companies include cancellation and curtailment or medical expenses. Whatever the insurance policy you have taken out, please read the documentation carefully. Please ensure also that you take it with you on your trip and refer to it in the case of any claim or emergency.
Yes, please click here for what to bring. A packing checklist is also included with your booking confirmation.
Sustainability
ATG was founded on principles of conservation and sustainable development. It was the first company to win the tourism industry’s two top awards: Tourism for Tomorrow (UK) and the World Legacy Award (National Geographic and Conservation International USA) and also the first to have an accredited Environmental Management System.
Everyone who walks with ATG contributes to the ATG Trust, which funds projects that benefit local communities in the regions visited. By supporting these initiatives, ATG promotes sustainable tourism. Past projects have included heritage restoration projects, environmental conservation and educational projects.
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