Walking Umbria: exploring the green heart of Italy

There is a region in Italy that feels naturally made for walking.
A place where landscapes unfold gently, villages appear at just the right distance, and the pace of life seems perfectly aligned with the rhythm of your steps. Umbria is this place: the green heart of Italy, intimate, authentic, and deeply connected to the act of walking.

Often compared to Tuscany, Umbria has a quieter, more introspective character. Its rolling hills, dense forests and timeless villages invite you to slow down and look more closely. It’s no coincidence that some of Italy’s most meaningful walking routes cross this region.

In Umbria, walking is never just about getting from one place to another. It’s about entering into a relationship with the land, its history and its subtle energy — an experience that reveals itself gradually, day after day.

 
The Cammino dei Borghi Silenti: where silence shapes the journey

The Cammino dei Borghi Silenti perfectly captures the most authentic side of Umbria. The route winds through the south-western part of the region, far from mass tourism, linking small medieval villages, quiet hills and open landscapes where silence becomes part of the scenery.

Here, silence is not emptiness but presence. It’s found in the stone streets of villages where time moves slowly, along white gravel roads connecting valleys, and on panoramic ridges opening onto wide horizons. Walking through places like Tenaglie, Melezzole or Morre means discovering an Umbria that feels genuine and untouched.

This is an ideal route for those seeking calm, balance and a deep connection with the land. The stages are well-paced, the elevation changes gentle, and each day ends in welcoming villages where hospitality remains heartfelt and simple.

 
The Way of St Francis in Umbria: walking between spirituality and nature

Umbria is the land of St Francis, and walking here means following the traces of a story deeply rooted in these landscapes. The Way of St Francis crosses the heart of the region, linking sanctuaries, hermitages, historic towns and beautiful natural settings.

The Umbrian sections are among the most meaningful: starting in Assisi, the route leads through olive groves, rolling hills, forests and towns such as Spello, Trevi, Foligno and Spoleto. Each stage offers a balance between nature and culture, quiet paths and vibrant historical centres.

This walk is not only for those with religious motivations. Many choose it for its scenery, its gentle rhythm and the peaceful atmosphere that accompanies the journey. It’s suitable for first-time walkers with a reasonable level of fitness, and perfect for those looking for reflection and continuity.

The Via Romea Germanica in Umbria: an ancient route through villages and rolling hills

Less well known than other major pilgrimage routes, yet deeply evocative, the Via Romea Germanica crosses Umbria following an ancient path that once connected Northern Europe to Rome. In its Umbrian sections, the route unfolds across gentle hills, open valleys, woodland paths and historic towns where walking still feels like a natural part of everyday life.

The trail passes through places such as Città di Castello, Umbertide and Gubbio, with its striking medieval architecture, before continuing through smaller, quieter villages set among cultivated fields and rural landscapes. These stages reveal a more understated side of Umbria — authentic, lived-in and far removed from mass tourism.

Walking the Via Romea Germanica here is about slow progression and continuity. Each day builds on the previous one, allowing a deeper connection with the land and its rhythms. It’s a route well suited to walkers with some experience, who are looking for a quieter path where silence, observation and a strong sense of place define the journey.

 
Why walk in Umbria

Walking in Umbria means choosing a region that welcomes rather than overwhelms.
It’s a land that guides your steps naturally, offering beauty without excess and depth without noise.

Whether you’re looking for silence, spiritual heritage, cultural richness or simply a different way of travelling, Umbria offers paths that adapt to different rhythms — always with the same promise: to leave you feeling truly connected to the places you’ve walked through.