The Bike Lane Assisi Spoleto Norcia

A wonderful two-days MTB ride in the green heart of Umbria, on the route of the old railway line that linked the towns in Val Nerina with the ones in Val Spoletana, passing through forests, fields, breathtaking landscapes, tunnels and incredible views.

This route was recently awarded as the most beautiful cycling route in Italy, at Cosmo Bike Show 2015.

The first day is a sort of “warm up” ride for the leg of the following day: it’s an easy, flat route that links the cities of Assisi and Spoleto, specifically planned to have a touristic look at the cultural, historic and artistic treasures of the places we’ll meet.

Before starting our ride, a visit to the centre of Assisi is deserved: this town is famous as the birthplace of Francinscan order and has been declared World Heritage Centre. Then, leaving from the basilicas of Santa Maria degli Angeli and San Francesco, we will sink inside Umbrian countryside to follow the flow of various rivers and torrents: Topino, Timia, Teverone and Marroggia. In this way, the flowing of water will go along with us for the whole first leg.

On our route we’ll be able to make a little detour to admire the wonderful medieval village of Bevagna. It’s an ancient town that still mantains its originary structure and has also traces of the Roman Age. Here we can find architectural treasures as piazza Silvestri, palazzo dei Consoli (1270), romanesque churches of San Silvestro and San Michele (XII century), the church of San Domenico and Giacomo (1291). On the highest point of the town it is located the church of San Francesco (end of XIII century), and beside the altar there is still the stone upon which San Francesco rested to preach to the birds in Pian d’Arca.

After a lunch in a traditional restaurant in the beautiful city of Foligno, in the neighborhood of Campello we will meet then the clear sources of the river Clitunno, sung by poets in every age, from Byron to Horace, from Virgil to Carducci. There we’ll be able to enjoy the fresh air of a true naturalistic gem: a set of sources already known in the Roman Age, that melt together to form the little pond from which originates the Clitunno river. Nearby there is the little Temple of Clitunno, or church of S. Salvatore, an ancient building of the Paleochristian Age.

The arrival of the first leg is in the city of Spoleto, an important crossing of Umbrian cycling routes. The so-called “City of Two Worlds” has architectural gems of Middle Age and Renaissance, first of all the Cathedral, but also the church of Sant’Eufemia, the church of SS. Giovanni and Paolo, the Abbey of San Ponziano, the church of S. Domenico, the church of S.Nicolà and the Town Hall. Between the others, it’s very interesting also the church of San Paolo inter vineas (X century), with frescos of XIII century, and the church of S. Pietro (V century), with an outstanding romanesque façade with incredible bas reliefs.

On the top of the city there is the impressive Fortress of Albornoz, built in 1352.

The second day we will increase both the level of difficulty and entertainment: the path that goes from Spoleto to Norcia, in fact, was drawn on the rails of the so-called “Gottardo Umbro”, a dismantled mountain railway with outstanding overviews, and goes along trails and gravel roads with unexpected tunnels with elicoidal ramps and bridges suspended upon hidden valleys.

It’s a bit challenging because of unpaved road and ascent, but this route can give great emotions to MTB lovers. We are inside the Monti Sibillini National Park, between canyons and torrents as well as protected natural areas. At the arrival in the beautiful Norcia, we can taste the delicious traditional food, mostly cheese, cold cuts and wine!

day 1: Assisi / Spoleto

• City of Assisi
• Medieval town of Bevagna
• Sources of River Clitunno
• City of Foligno
• City of Spoleto

Total distance: 52 km
Level: easy

day 2: Spoleto / Norcia

• citadel of Spoleto
• town of Norcia
• old railway
• Monti Sibillini National Park

Total distance: 51 km
Level: medium

Total distance: 103 Km in 2 days
Level: Easy, medium on the second day

The tour includes:

• Minivan transport from Rome to Assisi
• Minivan transport from Norcia to Rome
• Tour Leader (one for every group of 8 persons)
• Trekking Bike equipped with water bottle and panniers
• Helmet
• Mechanical Assistance
• Spare bike
• Luggage transportation with van
• RC Insurance
• Hotel (one night + breakfast)
• 2 lunches and 1 dinner

Extras:

Accommodation in single room: € 40,00 per person.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Hotel **** or B&B **** in double room.

Food

Lunch and dinner are served in local restaurants with typical food.

Tour leader

Our tour leaders are ready to guide and help you in any situation during your bike ride, so that you can appreciate the road and the places visited in your holiday.

Mechanical assistance

You have at disposition a service of mechanical assistance for every problem at your bike.