This leg of the Southern Way cycling route will take you from the Greccio Sanctuary to Stroncone and marks the passage from Lazio into Umbria. It is a hard leg with a total ascent of more than 1,000 metres
Water sources
yes (Greccio, Contigliano, Cottanello, Configni, Lugnola)
This leg of the journey takes you from Lazio into Umbria, including the Terni variation of the Southern Way, and takes you from Greccio to Stroncone. It is one of the journey’s most arduous stretches with many kilometres of uphill cycling for a total climb exceeding 1,000 metres. You need to be fit and able to manage your reservoirs of energy and strength.After a few kilometres on undulating roads and an ascent to the Sanctuary of St Francis at the centre of Greccio, there is a downhill to Spinacceto, from which you go to Contigliano to begin the uphill stretch to Fonte di Cerro. The climb is some 8 kilometres long and gradual, but constant, so take is slowly and use easy gears so as not to tire yourself out, considering the second steep climb is yet to come.Once over the pass you’ll go downhill through a shaded woods until you reach the charming town of Cottanello, a great place for break. From here you then go up and down a bit over an easy road as you pass through Congigni and Lugnola. When you get to Vascigliano turn right. This is where the hard climb begins, one that really will put your legs to the test, and hard also because it comes at the end of the day’s efforts. You will, however be rewarded with the beauty of the centre of Stroncone, which will make the fatigue of the day melt away.
