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Umbria Self-Guided
Umbria Self-Guided
Italy
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Region
Umbria
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Tour Type Self Guided (Open Departure)
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Duration
7 days
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Bike Types Road, Hybrid, Touring & e-bike
Core Route
280 Kilometres
Difficulty Level: 1 (Leisurely)
Extended Route
340 Kilometres
Difficulty Level: 2 (Moderate)
Umbria, just next to Tuscany, is a stunning, tranquil, green area of Italy, not overburdened with tourism, and with some truly spectacular cycle rides. The tour starts in Sansepolcro, close to Arezzo, and makes its way south, first following the Upper Tiber Valley. This is also known as “museum valley” for its extraordinary collection of art and history, particularly in the town of Citta di Castello. The mighty Tiber joins with several other feeder rivers close to Assisi – the town associated with St Francis, where there is a two night stopover. From Assisi there is a loop ride around Mount Subasio and through the wine-producing region of Torgiano. The itinerary continues south along the beautiful “Olive Grove Way”, to explore the plains of the Topino River and the Umbra Valley, a masterpiece of over two thousand years of agricultural practice. At the southern end of the Umbra Valley the final destination is the fabulous town of Speleto.
The tour itinerary offers two distinct levels of challenge. The core routes, which stick primarily to the plains, are mainly along quiet rural road, lanes and cycle paths. There are climbs up to, and descents from the hill towns that provide your accommodation – but these are neither particularly long nor arduous. The core routes allow you plenty of time to explore the wonderful Umbrian towns and villages en route. Riding is easy in the main, and the routes offer wonderful views of the hills and mountains that are the backdrops to the plains. The extension routes are very much aimed towards the ambitious riders, taking you up from the valley floors and into the surrounding hills for some wonderfully scenic (and challenging!) rides. For couples where the level of ambition and challenge differs, the more adventurous may choose to do the extension routes, while the less ambitious can settle for the more leisurely and less challenging core routes.
Highlights
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The Upper Tiber valley
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The Renaissance town of Citta di Castella
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The views from Montone
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The frescoed Basilicas of Assisi
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Mount Subasio Regional Park
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Bevagna’s Roman remains
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Spello
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Olive Grove Way
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The Umbra Valley
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The Ponte delle Torri in Spoleto
Day 1
Arrive into the charming small village of Sansepolcro, where you will be met and fitted out on your bikes and spend the night.
2
Sansepolcro-Umbertide (40km core route)- A gentle beginning to your journey. Leaving Sansepolcro behind, you ride south into the Upper Tiber Valley. A must stop halfway through your journey is Citta di Castello. known as the city of castles, museums and gallaries, you can lose several hours walking the streets, taking in the history and seeing some important renaissance works. Towards the end of your ride, you will also want to check out the walled medieval town of Montone, before making your way to Umbertite.
3
Umbertide- Assisi (55 km core)- As you can see from the elevation profile, much of your ride today will be on the flat plains of the Umbrian countryside. There are plenty of tiny villages and hamlets to grab coffee or lunch, but the striking, colourful scenery is the star of the day. There are extensions available for the more ambitious that involve more climbing, before arriving into the breathtaking UNESCO town of Assisi, where you will be spending two nights.
4
Assisi Loop ride- (34km, 47km, 63km)- today we have various loop ride options for you. The shortest, but most spectacular, involves a ride through the regional park of Mount Subasio, which affords stunning views. From there you ride through the oak wood forest toward the colourful town of Spello, which is frequently mentioned as one of Italy's most beautiful, before heading back toward Assisi. There is also an option to take a ride through the region of Torgiano, famed for its wine and olive oil production. You may also want to take a day out of the saddle to explore Assisi by foot, with a visit to the world famous Basilica di San Francesco a must.
5
Assisi- Bevagna (25km core route)- There are again, various options today, which will depend on what region you chose to explore yesterday. If you haven't visited Mount Subasio, you can so today on you way to Bevagna, where you will pass through plenty of olive groves and vineyards. Olive oil tasting is available at various points on route, before dropping down to the fortified town of Bevagna, who's essential sights are San Michele Arcangelo and San Silvestro, the two Romanesque churches that face each other across the intact medieval main square, Piazza Silvestri.
6
Bevagna-Spoleto (39km core route)- The ride today takes us through the famous Umbra Valley, with dedicated cycling lanes an option for much of the route. For those who fancy getting the heart rate going, there is an optional ride up to Montefalco, known as the 'Balcony of Umbria' due to the magnificent views over the valley. Another option is a short detour up to the hilltop town of Trevi, which is again well worth a visit. You will be able to see you last destination, Spoleto, from along way away, and its famous Ponte delle Torri, the 14 Century bridge built upon the ancient Roman aqueduct.
7
Spoleto Loop Ride (29km, 42km, 63km)- There are several options for you final ride of the trip. Again, there is plenty to see and do in Spoleto's striking old town, so you might fancy a short ride. The most popular option is to the east of Spoleto, riding on small, deserted roads through the unspoiled forest of the Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini. You then return to the beautiful Spoleto for you final evening before going on your onward journey the following morning.
Route Map
Accommodation
The standard accommodations for the self-guided itineraries are family run hotels. Generally, these have around 10 to 20 guest rooms and the owners live on the premises. Italian hotel are classified by a star rating system – from one to five stars – standards for each category may vary a little from region to region. Most of the hotels that we use fall into the three star category – though we occasionally use two and four star hotels when circumstances or availability dictate. In almost all cases the bathroom facilities are ensuite (self-contained within the room). Some of the smaller hotels do not have a restaurant, but there will always be several options close by, within easy walking distance.
The Italian breakfast is light – a cappuccino and a brioche (pastry). Most hotels serve a continental breakfast of orange juice, coffee, tea or hot chocolate, bread rolls and jam. There may also be yogurt, cheeses, cured meats, pastries and cakes.
When you book a tour, your pre-trip planner will have more details about the specific facilities and services provided by the accommodations.
Examples of our Umbria and Le Marche hotels include;
Getting there
The Tuscan airports at Pisa and Florence mostly handle internal and short haul flights. Coming from abroad, Rome may be more convenient. Rome has two airports. Leonardo da Vinci Airport (at Fiumicino) is used by the major airlines, while Ciampino Airport is used by budget airlines such as Ryanair.
Getting to Sansepolcro for the Umbrian itineraries involves travel from your arrival airport to the nearest mainline station or bus station for onward transport to the trailhead town.
Most inter-city trains leave Rome from Termini Station. Most inter-city buses leave from the main bus station outside Rome Tiburtina railway station. The Metro (line B) connects the two.
From Leonardo da Vinci Airport the most convenient way to get into Rome is to take the Leonardo Express, a direct train service to Termini (½ hr/every ½ hr).
From Ciampino Airport take a Terravision bus (¾ hr/ every hr) which to Termini. You can book online.
Pisa Airport has a railway station – trains run to Florence Santa Maria Novella Station (1½ hr/every hr). For Siena (2 hr/ every hr), change at Empoli.
Terravision buses run a regular service from Pisa Airport to Florence Santa Maria Novella Station (1¼ hr / every 1½ hr).
Terravision buses run a regular service from Florence Airport to Florence Santa Maria Novella Station (¼ hr/ every 1½ hr).
Sansepolcro
- From Rome Termini
Train to Sansepolcro (4 hr / every 2 hr)
or
Train to Arezzo (2 hr / every hr), then SITA bus from Arezzo to Sansepolcro (1¼ hr / every hr) - From Pisa Airport
Train (1½ hr /every hr) or Terravision bus (1¼ hr /every 1½ hr) to Florence SMN then train (1 hr / every hr) to Arezzo, then SITA bus to Sansepolcro (1¼ hr /every 1 hr) - From Florence Santa Maria Novella
Train to Arezzo (1 hr / every hr), then SITA bus from Arezzo to Sansepolcro (1¼ hr / every hr) - From Perugia
Train to Sansepolcro (1½ hr /every 2 hr)
- From Spoleto to Rome
Train (1½ hr / every hr)
Climate
There are marked difference between climatic conditions in the valleys such as the Tiber and Umbrian Valleys, and the high Appenines of Le Marche. In spring the hills can be cool when the spring flowers are emerging. The days in high summer are long and hot – especially in the towns. In September and October the days are stiill sunny and pleasantly warm, as they are in spring – perhaps the best time to visit. Late autumn is when rainfall is at its heaviest.
| Core Tour Cost | €795 |
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| Luggage Transfers | €260 (per couple) |
| Hybrid Bike Rental | €145 |
| Touring Bike Rental | €195 |
| Carbon Road Bike Rental | €275 |
| E-Bike Rental | €275 |
| Single Supplement | €295 |
€795 is the cost per person sharing. The cost includes the following (unless stated otherwise)
- 7 nights' accommodation with breakfast
- Pre-trip planner
- Routes in the form of highlighted maps and cue sheets
- Telephone support
- Meet and greet (if you are renting bicycles)
Luggage Transfers
- Luggage transfer charges are calculated as follows:
The standard charge is based on one or two riders. A couple would therefore share the luggage transfer costs. There is then a small additional fee for the third and each additional person.
For example:- Total cost for one or two riders = €260 (130 per person based on two people sharing)
- Total cost for three riders = €260 + 25=285 (95 per person)
- Total cost for four riders = €260+ 25+ 25= 310 (77.50 per person)
Note that the more riders in the group, the less expensive are the luggage transfers per rider.
Please note that whilst we will try our best to provide you with the exact bike as listed below, due to availability or sizing issues we may not always be able to. The bike you will receive will be of a very similar spec and always in very good condition.
- 5 frame sizes
- FX Alpha Gold Aluminium
- FX Alloy fork
- 27 speed
Bring your own saddle and/or pedals if you wish and we will fit them to the bike. (You must be able to remove them yourself at the end of your trip).
Fitted with: Rear rack; platform pedals, bottle cage, fenders (mudguards)
Equipment provided: Handlebar bag; map case; spare tube; puncture repair kit; lock; mini pump; multitool.
Available on request: Panniers, helmet, odomoter, gps unit
- Kona Cromoly Butted Frame
- Disc brakes
- Kona Cromoly Fork
- 27 Speed.
Bring your own saddle and/or pedals if you wish and we will fit them to the bike. (You must be able to remove them yourself at the end of your trip)
Fitted with: Rear rack; platform pedals, bottle cage, fenders (mudguards)
Equipment provided: Handlebar bag; map case; spare tube; puncture repair kit; lock; mini pump; multitool.
Available on request: Panniers, helmet, odomoter, gps unit
- 7 frame sizes
- Monocoque carbon frame
- Reflex fork
- Sleek Italian design
Bring your own saddle and/or pedals if you wish and we will fit them to the bike. (You must be able to remove them yourself at the end of your trip)
Fitted with: Platform pedals, bottle cage,
Equipment provided: map case; spare tube; puncture repair kit; lock; mini pump; multitool, frame bag
Available on request: Panniers, helmet, odomoter, gps unit
- Suntour NEX disc fork
- Bafang H400 rear hub motor
- Bafang 5 mode LED display w/walk assist
- Shimano Gearing
Bring your own saddle and/or pedals if you wish and we will fit them to the bike. (You must be able to remove them yourself at the end of your trip).
Fitted with: Rear rack; platform pedals, bottle cage, fenders (mudguards)
Equipment provided: Handlebar bag; map case; spare tube; puncture repair kit; lock; mini pump; multitool.
Available on request: Panniers, helmet, odomoter, gps unit
Out of this world food
Umbria was wonderful – as you promised the cycling routes for me were quite forgiving, while my wife enjoyed challenging herself on some of the extensions
I had always wanted to visit Assisi – and getting there on a bike was simply the best! Umbria was wonderful – as you promised the cycling routes for me were quite forgiving, while my wife enjoyed challenging herself on some of the extensions. And the food was just marvellous – I would go and live in Italy in a heartbeat just for that wonderful food!
Determined to return
We had a most fabulous time. Great routes and great hotels.
We had a most fabulous time. Great routes and great hotels.. Lovely weather.. Had airline trouble, but got home safe. The ride to Norcia was challenging but really left us feeling like we accomplished something worthwhile. That is a really cool area to visit. Again, thank you so much. As I look at my pictures I am determined to see it all again.
A fabulous time
The biking was excellent, the accommodations were lovely, and the service was outstanding
Many thanks for setting up our trip to Umbria. My wife and I enjoyed it immensely. The weather was not ideal; we dodged showers for the first couple of days. But the biking was excellent, the accommodations were lovely, and the service was outstanding. Giovanni, in particular, was extraordinarily informed, gracious, and helpful. We definitely plan to use your company again in the future.
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