The Breath of the Subasio on the Way of Saint Francis
Walking between Assisi and Spello is not merely moving between two of Umbria’s most iconic villages; it is crossing a landscape that for centuries has set the stage for a perfect symbiosis of spirituality, wild nature, and peasant wisdom. Along the famous Way of Saint Francis, the “high variant” that aims for the peaks of Mount Subasio represents the most intense experience for those seeking an authentic contact with the infinite.
The First Stage: The Ascent to the Eremo delle Carceri
Leaving the pink walls of Assisi behind, the journey begins with a steady climb leading to one of the holiest places in Umbria: the Eremo delle Carceri (Hermitage of the Prisons). Located at an altitude of about 800 meters, this sanctuary, nestled in the rock and surrounded by a dense forest of ancient holm oaks, is where Saint Francis would retreat in contemplation with his companions. Walking through the sanctuary, with its narrow passages and silence broken only by birdsong, prepares the spirit for the next ascent. It is here that the concept of “walking” sheds its physical component to become introspection, before opening up to the vastness of the mountain.
Towards Sasso Piano: Beyond the Tree Line
From the Hermitage, the path climbs again, leaving the thick vegetation behind. As the forest thins, the noise of the world is replaced by the rustling of the wind through the downy oaks. This variant transforms the walk into a true mountain experience: the emotional peak is Sasso Piano (1125 m). Reaching this natural balcony means being suspended above history. From here, the view meets no obstacles: your photos will capture a checkerboard of cultivated fields, perched villages, and bell towers stretching as far as the eye can see, all the way to the blue silhouettes of the Sibillini Mountains. It is the ideal place to perceive that “universal brotherhood” with creation celebrated by the Saint.
An Ecosystem of Rock and Biodiversity
Mount Subasio is not just a geographical feature, but a living organism with a unique botanical personality. Its limestone composition hosts flora that changes drastically with altitude. While the lower areas are dominated by Mediterranean scrub—where the shoots of wild asparagus (Asparagus acutifolius) appear in spring—climbing towards the peaks, the vegetation becomes sparser and more resilient. In this vastness, it is not uncommon to spot wild horses running free on the summit meadows, adding a sense of wild beauty to the snapshots of the journey.
The Descent towards the “Village of Flowers”
After touching the sky at Sasso Piano, the itinerary begins its descent towards Spello. The landscape changes again, softening in shapes and colors: the harshness of the rock gives way to the green of the olive groves of the Fascia Olivata, recently recognized as a globally important agricultural heritage site. Arriving in Spello is a return to civilization made of scents and harmony. Descending from the mountain allows you to admire the compact structure of the Roman and medieval village from above, before immersing yourself in its alleys famous for the infiorate (flower festivals). Here, the journey concludes among the colors of the flowers decorating every balcony, ideally closing the circle that began among the wild meadows of the summit.
Here we leave you the links to some of our tours that pass through the scenic beauty of Monte Subasio:
Way of Saint Francis from Assisi to Spoleto
Medieval Umbria (10 Days)
A Surprising Umbria (10 Days)