Assisi and Nocera between forests,field and sanctuaries

ASSISI & NOCERA UMBRA: BETWEEN FORESTS; FIELDS AND SANCTUARIES

This walking tour is starting in the Middle Age city of Assisi, the pilgrims’ town built against the slopes of Mount Subasio. Many monuments have been erected here in honour of the saints Francis and Clare. In Assisi you will make a town walk and a walk through the hills around Assisi. On the fourth day you leave the town and a walk through the National Park of Mount Subasio will take you to Nocera Umbra, a friendly typical Umbrian town, which is situated between Monte Subasio and Monte Pennino, in the narrow valley of the Topino river. Nocera is a little, quiet town, built on a spur of rock 548 m. a.s.l. in a location that testifies to its strategic importance in the past. The numerous castles and defended villages in the area speak of its troubled past while today, the presence of numerous springs of fresh mineral water, the unspoilt natural beauty, together with its historical-artistic patrimony render Nocera an interesting tourist centre. You will stay in a hotel in the centre of this lovely town.

Programme in short:

Day 1 arrival Assisi (HB)

Day 2 town walk in Assisi (B&B)

Day 3 walk through the hills around Assisi (B&B)

Day 4 transfer to Costa di Trex and walk through the National Park to Nocera Umbra (HB)

Day 5 walk on Monte Alago (B&B)

Day 6 walk through the hills around Nocera (B&B)

Day 7 transfer to the station of Nocera and departure

Programme

Day 1

Arrival at Assisi

Your overnight stay will be in a hotel with a swimming pool close (1000 m.) to the historical centre of Assisi.

Day 2

The town walk in Assisi

This town walk will take you round the most important cultural monuments of Assisi, which are mostly connected with the lives of the saints Francis and Clare, who were born in Assisi. You will pass the medieval castle (506m a.s.l.), the basilica of St. Francis, the temple of Minerva and the basilica of St. Clare, finally walking down to the monastery of S. Damiano (310m a.s.l.).

Walking time: 3 hours of 4 1/2 hours

Day 3

The longer walk through the hills around Assisi

Today's walk starts from the Porta Cappuccini town gate (470m a.s.l.). From here you walk up to the spring ‘Fonte Maddalena’ (810m a.s.l.) on Monte Subasio. You then descend to the hamlets of Costa di Trex (570m a.s.l.) and Ponte Grande. Your route will then bring you back to Assisi through gentle, rolling countryside.

Walking time; 5½ hours (18 km)

The shorter walk through the national park of Mount Subasio :

This is a beautiful walk in the shade of the woods of Mount Subasio. From the Porta Cappuccini town gates you walk up to the spring ‘Fonte Maddalena’ (810m a.s.l.) on Monte Subasio. You then descend to the hamlet of Costa di Trex (570m a.s.l.) and along the walking path 51 you will reach again Assisi.

Walking time: 4 ore (12 km)

Day 4

From Assisi to Nocera Umbra

The first stretch is through the natural park of Mt Subasio, you will cross a very old bridge over a little cleft, a sort of miniature Grand Canyon and you will continue over hill-tops with beautiful views, through woods and after crossing a valley, you arrive to the little town of Nocera Umbra. Your hotel is situated in the town centre.

Walking time: 6 hours (18 km)

Day 5

A circular walk from Nocera

A beautiful short walk over the Mount Alago. A steep climb will bring you to the top of this mountain. The meadows on this top are very much visited during the summer months by the inhabitants of Nocera, who soak up the sun and have picnics. From here you will have a lovely view over the surrounding mountains.

Walking time: 4½ hours (12 km)

Day 6

A circular walk from Nocera

Today’s walk will take you to the top of Mount Busseto (874m a.s.l.), from where you will have an astonishing view over the surrounding mountains. Then you descend to the hamlet of Giove, a typical Umbrian village. You return to Nocera across the hills surrounding the valley of the river Topino.

Walking time: 4 hours (11 km)

Day 7

Departure

After breakfast you will be brought to the station of Nocera

This tour includes:

6 overnight stays with breakfast in a good ** (upgrading is possible) and a *** hotel
2 x dinner
Luggage transportation
Route notes (in Dutch, English or Italian) and maps
2 x a transfer
local back-up service
route briefing in hotel of arrival
tour information

Period	every day from the 1st April until the beginning of November
Level 2 / 3	moderate. Walks in a hilly country side or middle mountains. Not too many differences in altitude. Walks of 4-6 hours a day /12-20 km (an average of 3/4 km an hour)
Price 2012	per person double room sharing € 340,00
	single room € 410,00
	travelling alone € 435,00
	3rd person in triple p.p. € 220,00