The Via Lauretana is an ancient Marian pilgrimage route that has linked Rome and Assisi to the Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto since the Middle Ages. The road was heavily trodden by pilgrims in the 16th and 17th centuries, but as early as the 13th century it was frequented when it had the function of connecting Rome to the port of Ancona. Starting from the capital, the Via Romana-Lauretana was initially identified with the Via Flaminia which, starting from Rome, reached Foligno: from this point, while the Flaminia continued north to Fano, the Lauretana proper began. it headed towards the Umbrian-Marche Apennines, crossing them at the Colfiorito Pass to reach Loreto, through various stages including Muccia, Camerino, Tolentino and Recanati.
This journey unfolds in 7 stages which, starting from Assisi, crosses the Apennines passing through Spello and Colfiorito and then plunges into the typical Marche landscape: the countryside. A gentle ups and downs in the hills of the Marche, through medieval villages and unique historical places to then arrive at the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Loreto.
PROGRAM
DAY 1: Sunday 21 March, Assisi - Spello stage
Length: 13 km. Uphill difference in height: 340 m. Altitude difference downhill: 450 m. Level: easy
Meeting in Assisi around 9:00 am at the Basilica of San Francesco and start of the journey. This first stage is rather easy and short and therefore allows us to cross Assisi on foot and briefly visit its most significant places, such as the Cathedral of San Ruffino, the Church of Santa Chiara and the historic center in general, as well as the Basilica. . The itinerary is pleasant and the walk along the coast of Mount Subasio, among woods and olive groves, offers beautiful views of the plain below and is rich in sources. The arrival in the splendid Spello from above will offer a beautiful view of the city.
2nd DAY: Monday 22 March, stage Spello - Colfiorito
Length: 28 km. Uphill difference in height: 1150 m. Altitude difference downhill: 660 m. Level: challenging
It is perhaps the most beautiful stage from a landscape point of view due to the diversity of environments that are crossed but also the most demanding: it is in fact the stage with the most altitude difference of all! From Spello, we will leave the Spoletana Valley and climb along the right side of the Valtopina, the Menotre valley and finally the steep climb of Pale: we will then cross the Apennines along the oldest route of the Via Lauretana through rural areas, woods and pastures, to finally culminating in the Colfiorito swamp, which is an area of exceptional naturalistic interest. The stage crosses the less populated area of the Via Lauretana, so you will walk mainly on dirt roads and paths but there will be less chance of finding supplies (better to leave with lots of water and food!).
3rd DAY: Tuesday 23 March, Colfiorito - Muccia stage
Length: 18 km. Uphill difference in height: 300 m. Altitude difference downhill: 600 m. Medium level
After the fatigue of the day before, this stage will be easier: cross the Piana di Colfiorito passing alongside the Basilica of Plestia and then descend into the upper part of the Chienti valley. The route is almost entirely on paved roads and downhill but with the reward of a wonderful view over the Val di Chienti from the top of the Madonna di Collevento. Muccia still bears the painful signs of the 2016 earthquake, this stage therefore also takes on a strong symbolic value and closeness to the local population.
4th DAY: Wednesday 24 March, stage Muccia - Camerino - Belforte del Chienti
Length: 30 km. Uphill difference in height: 860 m. Altitude difference downhill: 970 m. Level: challenging
Another challenging stage in terms of length and height differences but very varied in landscape. From Muccia you go up to Camerino, the city of the Varano, and then down to Belforte del Chienti, the final destination of this day. You cross woods, pastures, rural areas and climbs with views of two artificial basins, Lake Polverina and Lake Caccamo. In addition to Camerino with its beautiful historic center still wounded by the earthquake four years ago, we will also walk towards Caldarola, another beautiful village in the Val di Chienti. We are also in the Vernaccia di Serrapetrona area!
5th DAY: Thursday 25 March, Belforte del Chienti - Tolentino stage
Length: 9 km. Uphill difference in height: 90 m. Altitude difference downhill: 210 m. Level: easy
The stage is more than easy: very short and almost flat, we will have the opportunity to rest and want to visit the beautiful historic center of Tolentino and the suggestive Basilica of San Nicola. We will almost always walk along the Chienti river first on its left and then on its right, crossing it at the ancient post station of Le Grazie and at the Devil's Bridge.
6th DAY: Friday 26 March, Tolentino - Macerata
Length: 33 km. Uphill difference in height: 810 m. Altitude difference downhill: 740 m. Medium level
It is the longest stage of The walk, but if you want, you can shorten it by a few kilometers by taking public transport (and thus avoid a long stretch of paved and busy road). From Tolentino you go up the ridge on the orographic right of the Chienti, crossing an orderly and pleasant countryside and enjoying views up to Monte Conero, on the Marche coast. In the central part of the stage we will enter the Natural Reserve of the Abbey of Fiastra, a place where spirituality, nature and culture have found a perfect balance. Finally, we will go up to Macerata along secondary roads to reach the end of the stage to rest and enjoy the beautiful historic center of this city.
7th DAY: Saturday 27 March, Macerata - Recanati - Loreto
Length: 24 km. Uphill difference in height: 600 m. Altitude difference downhill: 770 m. Medium level
The last stage of the Via Lauretana has numerous ups and downs: steep descent from Macerata to Sambucheto, tiring pass of the Recanati hill and finally ascent of the Loreto hill: the flat sections are few! On the other hand, asphalt dominates almost everywhere, but the landscape, the crossing of the village of Recanati (Leopardi's birthplace) and the arrival in Loreto still offer pleasant stretches of shade, as well as inviting reasons to stop in churches and historic buildings . Throughout the rest of the route, large stretches of well-cultivated countryside alternate with scattered houses and small towns. The arrival at the Sanctuary of Loreto, the final destination of the journey will be a great emotion!
DAY 8: Sunday 28 March, Loreto
After we have rested, we will prepare for the return home.
Rates per person, starting from € 650
The fee includes: 7 overnight stays in the chosen or similar structures. Bed and breakfast treatment, dinner in Muccia. IoViaggioConDio escort and his expenses. Journey credentials. Medical baggage insurance. Gadgets and various illustrative documentation.
The fee does not include: Transport to Assisi and overnight stay in Assisi, transport from the hotel in Loreto to the train station. Lunches and dinners except in Muccia. All meals not mentioned, drinks, tips, extras of a personal nature and anything not expressly mentioned in the item "the program includes". Registration fee € 45.
Accommodations considered, or similar: Spello: B&B La Terrazza di Spello. Colfiorito: Hotel Lieta Sosta. Muccia: Hermitage Beato Rizzerio. Belforte del Chienti: B&B Il Villino. Tolentino: B&B San Nicola. Macerata: Domus San Giuliano. Loreto: Hotel San Gabriele
Technical direction:
Go World S.r.l.
via Canale, 22 - 60125 Ancona
VAT, CF 02763050420 R.E.A. AN 213201
Info and reservations:
Tel. 0712089301
https://www.ioviaggiocondio.it/viaggi/in-cammino-lungo-la-via-lauretana-date-fisse-2021/
Features
Length: 155 km (overall)
Travel time (without taking into account the breaks): 39 hours (overall)
Difference in altitude: + 4.150 m, - 4400 m (overall)
Difficulty: Hiking
Adult price: 650 €
Main meeting Basilica of San Francesco, 9:00 am, Piazza Inferiore di S. Francesco, 2, 06081 Assisi PG, Italy, Assisi
Requirements required
Have good physical preparation
Clothing
Trekking shoes, backpack, breathable t-shirt, light jacket, sweatshirt, kway, hat, comfortable walking shoes, sandals (possibly trekking), breathable socks, water bottle, mini-first aid kit, chocolate, snacks, dried fruit , everything you need to stay out for 8 days.
Recommended: sticks, binoculars, camera.
Event link https://www.passamontagna.org/trekking-a-piedi-in-programma/escursioni-giornaliere/940-cammino-via-lauretana-assisi-loreto-marche-umbria-primavera-marzo
Info and reservations
Guide: Niki Morganti
telephone: 3286762576
e-mail: niki@passamontagna.org