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Monte Subasio, the mountain of Assisi and Spello
Spello – Monte Subasio – Assisi – Collepino
This guided MTB tour is perfect for those who want to live a unique experience discovering a mountain where nature and spirituality are closely connected.
Mount Subasio, the sacred mountain between Assisi and Spello where St. Francis and his first followers retired for long periods of meditation and contemplation. However, there is not only a deep spirituality of sacred places: in this tour, luxuriant nature will be the protagonist. You cycle surrounded by a well-preserved nature of the REGIONAL PARK that bears the same name as the mountain. You will ride with an expert bike guide in the shade of the woods, between meadows and olive groves, on dirt roads, and even on exciting trails. You will discover uncontaminated places, medieval villages immersed in a wonderful landscape with views that will range over the entire Umbrian Valley, from Perugia to Spoleto.
The MTB itineraries start from the fascinating Spello, which preserves important Roman testimonies such as the Porta Venere and the Porta Consolare. Another highlight is the small but pretty walled-in village of Collepino that rises on the southern slopes of the mountain. However, Spello is not the only pearl of this trip. During the tour, there will be the opportunity to visit Assisi, a pilgrimage city rich in historical and artistic treasures of inestimable value. Its imposing appearance, with its magnificent fortress, towers, and medieval buildings, will already manifest itself from afar. Assisi, closely linked to the Saints Francis and Clare, has alleys and enchanting streets. If you arrive early you can visit it on the day of your arrival or during the afternoons after the bike rides. A must to see is the Basilica of Saint Francis, the Basilica of Saint Clare, the museums including the Roman Forum under the main square, Piazza del Comune, the Temple of Minerva, and the fortress ‘La Rocca’.
The bike rides have two levels of difficulty. A more easy one, both in ascent & descent as in technical difficulty. The more demanding version has more up and downhill cycling and includes passages on mountain trails.
You will cycle for half a day so there will remain the time to visit the cities of Spello and Assisi but also surrounding places, like the wine-town of Montefalco, the capital town of Perugia.
Program in short 3 days / 2 nights
Day 1 Individual arrival in Spello in the morning and Mtb Tour on mount Subasio
Day 2 Mtb Tour with a free afternoon
Day 3 End of the tour after breakfast
Program in short 4 days / 3 nights
Day 1 Individual arrival in Spello
Day 2 Mtb Tour on mount Subasio with a free afternoon
Day 3 Mtb Tour with a free afternoon
Day 4 End of the tour after breakfast
The daily program of the 4-day tour
Arrival and accommodation in the *** hotel or **** hotel with the possibility of visiting the beautiful town that rises on the slopes of the mountain. In terms of urban planning, architecture and art, Spello is an extremely interesting city, with various testimonies from the Roman period. Spello is also called the city of flowers, due to its colorful alleys decorated with plants and flowers. The city is known for its Infiorata on the occasion of Corpus Domini.
Overnight stay and breakfast in Spello.
After breakfast, meeting your guide Cristiano and departure from the hotel for the guided MTB tour.
Level 3 route:
You cycle along secondary roads surrounded by olive groves that dominate the landscape. Once on the outskirts of Assisi we will climb up to the edge of the wood pedaling on a dirt road with a wonderful view over the valley below. We will then cycle up the slopes of Subasio and a well-deserved descend along the southern slope of the mountain will bring us to the marvelous village of Collepino. After a short break we will descend back to Spello. Free afternoon.
Overnight stay and breakfast in Spello.
Distance: 26 km
Ascent/Descent: + 850m -850m
Level 4 route:
After a warming-up we will begin to climb Calvarone’s hill, first among olive groves and then surrounded by woods. The long climb will take us to the summit meadows of Subasio Mount, all the way up to the little church of Madonna della Spella. From there, a little more climbing awaits us and we arrive almost at the top of the mountain. Here we can admire the Mortaro Grande while enjoying a view that extends across half of Umbria. Then we will descend a long section over trails until we reach the splendid hamlet of Collepino. After a short break downhill again, to return to Spello along the famous path of the Roman aqueduct. Free afternoon.
Distance: 26,8 km /
Ascent / Descent: + 1140m -1140m
After breakfast, departure from the hotel for the guided MTB tour.
Level 3 route:
After a few kilometers of warming-up we will begin to climb the Ciano hill from where we can admire splendid views of Foligno in an environment characterized by lush meadows and woods. Once we have almost reached the top of the hill, near the village of Cupacci, we will start to descend to return to Spello. Free afternoon.
Overnight stay and breakfast in Spello.
Distance: 24 km
Ascent / Descent: + 820m -820m
Level 4 route:
Through the Via degli Olivi you will cycle towards Assisi. Once on the outskirts of the city the route starts to climb decisively through the woods until we reach the summit meadows of a place called Gli Stazzi. From there, through the Vallocchia valley, we will cycle on paths in the middle of the meadows towards Sasso Piano, a place full of spirituality with a breathtaking view of the valley below. We will then begin to descend towards Spello along a series of paths and mule tracks among the most evocative places of the Monte Subasio Park.
Distance: 29,5 km
Ascent/Descent: + 1250m -1250m
After breakfast ends this MTB tour over a green mountain.
Impressions of a guided MTB tour
Spello – Monte Subasio – Assisi – Collepino
LEVEL 3 or 4
Level 3: Moderate – difficult level. For those who love technically simple hilly and mountain routes such as dirt roads or mule tracks without too much technical difficulties and on not excessively bumpy terrain. Good physical condition and good training are required in addition to the ability to ride the bike on unpaved surfaces. This tour is not suitable for those under 18 years old. There are quite demanding elevations (800-900 m).
Average daily distance: 25 Km; Total: 50 km / 31 mi; Total ascent/descent: + 1.670m – 1.670m
Level 4: Difficult-strenuous level. For those who love more challenging routes on hilly and mountain terrain. In addition to the passage on dirt roads and mule tracks, there will be sections of the route on trails. Good athletic preparation and a good ability to ride the bike on even bumpy surfaces with sloping sections and on single tracks are required. This trip is not suitable for those under 18 years old. There will be significant daily elevations (1100- 1250 m.).
Average daily distances: about 28 Km / 17,5 mi; Total: about 56 km / 34,8 mi; Total ascent/descent: +2.390m -2.390m
DEPARTURES:
Daily from March until the end of November
PARTICIPANTS:
1 or more people.
START / FINISH:
Spello
Umbria escape
This short cycling tour in Umbria leads you over quiet country roads among the sunny, colourful fields with a beautiful backdrop of hills covered.