Umbria is a landlocked region in central Italy, the only one on the Italian peninsula with neither a coastline nor a border with another country. Known as the 'Green Heart of Italy', it is a land of rolling hills, oak forests, olive groves, and medieval hill towns. Umbria is famous for the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, the Gothic Duomo of Orvieto, the festivals of Spoleto and Perugia, and a hearty cuisine built around black truffles, cured pork from Norcia, lentils, and the powerful Sagrantino red wine of Montefalco.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Monte Subasio Summit from Assisi
A demanding loop from the medieval heart of Assisi up onto the open grassy dome of Monte Subasio, passing the Eremo delle Carceri hermitage and rising to a panoramic summit over the Umbrian valley and the Apennines.
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2
Cascata delle Marmore Waterfall Trails
A ticketed park of footpaths threading around Europe's tallest man-made waterfall, with the steep Trail 1 climbing past tunnels and spray-soaked balconies between the lower and upper belvederes.
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3
Piano Grande di Castelluccio Plateau Walks
Gentle plateau trails across the vast Piano Grande within the Monti Sibillini National Park, most famous for the fioritura when fields of poppies, cornflowers and lentil blossom paint the basin from late May to early July.
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4
Monte Cucco Summit Loop
A steep circuit in the Monte Cucco Regional Park climbing from the high meadows of Pian delle Macinare to the summit ridge, with sweeping views over beech forest, karst plateaus and the Apennine watershed.
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5
Isola Polvese Nature Paths, Lake Trasimeno
Easy, mostly level paths around the car-free Isola Polvese, the largest island on Lake Trasimeno, passing a medieval castle, an olive grove, reedbeds and a swimming pool garden designed by Pietro Porcinai.
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6
Sentiero Francescano della Pace (Assisi to Gubbio)
The Franciscan Peace Path retraces St Francis's journey from Assisi to Gubbio across wooded hills, olive terraces and quiet country lanes, linking the two towns most associated with his early life in three walkable stages.
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7
Valnerina and the Nera River Valley
Walks along the green Nera river valley in the Parco Fluviale del Nera, linking stone villages such as Ferentillo and Scheggino with climbs to landmarks like the abbey of San Pietro in Valle above the river.
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8
Fonti del Clitunno and Pissignano Loop
A short, scenic walk around the crystal-clear Clitunno springs and their weeping-willow pools, with an optional climb to the medieval Castello di Pissignano above for views over the Valle Umbra.
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9
Monte Vettore from Forca di Presta
The classic ascent of the highest peak in the Monti Sibillini, climbing from the Forca di Presta pass over Monte Vettoretto to a windswept summit with views to the Adriatic and down to glacial Lago di Pilato.
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10
Ex Ferrovia Spoleto-Norcia Greenway
A walking and cycling greenway along the former Spoleto-Norcia railway, following its gentle gradient through tunnels and over viaducts as it climbs from Spoleto into the Valnerina hills.
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Sudden weather changes — always carry rain gear and warm layers.
Wildlife encounters — make noise on the trail and store food properly.
Trail conditions can deteriorate after rain — check recent reports before setting out.