panoramic trip on foot on track of francesco

Stage 21

5. from Spoleto to Ceselli

Description

Walking
One of the more difficult legs of the route for the steep ascents early on. But the efforts of this 17 km stretch are well worth it for the marvels along the way: the Ponte delle Torri bridge, the Monteluco hermitage and the valley of the Nera River, known as the Valnerina.{module id="419"}
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From

Spoleto

To

Ceselli

Distance

15,7 km

Increase in altitude

+ 845m

Loss of altitude

- 945m

Surface

Asphalt – Dirt road - Mule track

Road Sign

yes (yellow blue signs indicating Francesco's Way)

Travel time

7 h

Water sources

yes

Resting areas

yes

Degree of difficulty

challenging

The walk takes you through nature in the Spoleto valley, the Valnerina and the Nera river. It’s a mountainous stretch with plenty of uphill, but well worth it for the peace and spirituality of Monteluco’s Sacred Woods and the numerous peaceful Franciscan hermitages that seem to take the edge off the fatigue. Make sure you bring plenty of water with you. This leg of your journey is one of those you’ll remember forever. Go to the Rocca Albornoziana fortress and, as you walk over its belvedere, you’ll find yourself uttering - like Francis did -Nihil iucundius vidi valle mea spoletana(or “I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than the Valley of Spoleto). Cross the Ponte delle Torri bridge, a grand aqueduct that links the city to the Sacred Woods of Monteluco, and then go uphill through a dense wood of ageless oak trees. The Romans named it the Sacred Woods and in the V century AD Monteluco was home to a colony of hermits from Syria. St. Francis spent long periods of time here, and, being one of his favourite places, he also built a monastery here. The place has a soul of its own, one that makes it truly unique, and a stop here is a must. Continue over the trail until you reach the fork at Castel del Monte, the highest point, after which you descend through woods and past hidden hermitages towards the Nera river valley until you get to Ceselli.

Sources
There are water sources fountains in Spoleto, Monteluco and in Pontuglia. Remember to fill your water bottle with at least 1.5 litres of water in the summer.

Intermediate stages
There are resting areas where you can stop and take a regenerative break or find accommodation and shorten this leg of the journey.

Suggestions
“Only woods offer real peace” Michelangelo once wrote. He too liked to retire to the Sacred Woods of Monteluco and visit Spoleto. Don’t forget to stop in at the Monteluco monastery and feel the peace in the sacred wood of oak trees.
We recommend that you have the maps of the trail with you. Simplified maps can be downloaded by clicking on the online map. Remember to always have a small supply of food with you (fruit, dried fruit, chocolate, energy bars, something energy-giving in general).

Information (e.g. how to get there using public transport)
IAT Office - Information and Hospitality
Address: Largo Ferrer, 6 (C.so Mazzini) - 06049 Spoleto (PG)
Phone: 0743 218620/21 Fax 0743 218641
Email: info@iat.spoleto.pg.it