Viamigo

Umbria has been long disregarded by travelers to Tuscany, its more popular neighbor to the west. But Umbria has come into its own recently. It is gentle countryside with high mountain wildernesses, fertile green valleys, and many beautiful medieval hill towns.

This walk takes you through some of the wildest and most untouched parts of Central Italy through the villages of Valnerina. It is a land of craggy tree-covered slopes dotted with upland villages and fortified hamlets. Your walk starts in the peaceful fortified village of Preci, with its cobble-stone streets and Romanesque church.

Nearby Norcia is known as one of the country's culinary capitals, offering delicacies such as white truffles, salamis and sausages. Norcia was once an independent commune during the Middle Ages and is the birthplace of Saint Benedict.

You will walk on The Piano Grande, one of Italy's highest inland plains with a superb selection of wildflowers. It is one of Italy's most wonderful landscapes and is completely deserted of human habitation except for the village of Castelluccio. Onwards to the pilgrimage town of Cascia with its thousand year history and its great views over the Apennines, the spine of Italy, and to the mysterious village of Roccaporena where you can visit Saint Rita's miracle garden before continuing on to the unspoiled village of Monteleone di Spoleto. Most walks are between about four to about six hours in duration.