The route begins at the Templar complex par excellence of San Bevignate, (for visits, please contact the Complex.). Walking for about one hundred meters towards Perugia, the trail continues on the right along the evocative Sentiero delle Lavandaie (Washerwomen’s Path).

Upon reaching the Tower of Pretola, the route continues along the banks of the Tiber River until it reaches the Roman Bridge of Pontevalleceppi. From here, the itinerary proceeds towards the medieval village of Civitella d’Arna, before arriving at the town of Ripa, a powerful medieval fortification overlooking the surrounding territory. Also noteworthy is the small Parish Church of Santa Maria di Ripa: it belonged to the Knights Templar, whose characteristic cross pattée is still visible on the entrance arch. It later passed to the Knights of Malta and is now owned by the Municipality of Perugia.

The stage concludes at the monastic complex of San Giustino d’Arna, a place rich in history and spirituality, formerly belonging to the Knights Templar and still today owned by the Knights of Malta.

The second stage starts again from San Giustino d’Arna and leads towards Castel d’Arno, a small village set within the Umbrian landscape. The route continues to Valfabbrica, where the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria Assunta is located.

Continuing along the route, one reaches the Barcaccia, an ancient crossing point of the Chiascio River, used for centuries until 1960. Even today it is possible to see the historic ferry boat, preserved and protected as a testimony to the river crossings and daily life of the past.

The route then continues towards the Castle of Giomici, a fortress dating back to the 11th century, which in the Middle Ages was at the center of armed disputes between Gubbio, Perugia, and Assisi.

The stage ends at the Castle of Casa Castalda, also located along the route of the Ancient Salt Road Perugia–Ancona. In medieval times, those crossing the castle had to pay the “four-legs toll”, a tax imposed on pack animals. Today the castle still preserves its original layout and the characteristic diamond-shaped plan typical of medieval fortifications. Within the complex stands the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Olmo, which houses frescoes attributed to Matteo da Gualdo and other painters of the Umbrian school, dating back to 1486.

Not to be missed is a walk through the historic centre along the “Percorso Emozionale”, which allows visitors to explore the village while discovering its fascinating history.

The third stage starts from the Castle of Casa Castalda and develops towards the south-east, crossing a territory rich in historical evidence and rolling landscapes.

The route first leads to the Castle of Frecco, an ancient fortified structure; descending into the valley, one reaches the Castle of Schifanoia, an evocative medieval settlement surrounded by greenery, closely linked to the history of the area and to ancient transit routes.

From here, the route climbs again through a rural landscape dotted with small villages and scattered settlements, such as Pieve di Compresseto, which, in addition to the remains of the castle and a church dating back to before the year 1000, offers panoramic viewpoints with wide views over the surrounding valleys.

The final stretch of the stage gradually descends towards Gualdo Tadino, an important town in the Umbrian Apennines. Here, visitors can end their day by exploring the charming historic centre dominated by the Rocca Flea, an imposing medieval fortress and one of the city’s main landmarks.

The route resumes from Gualdo Tadino, entering the valley crossed by the historic Via Flaminia, one of the most important consular roads of ancient Rome.

Following a path that runs parallel to the Strada Flaminia SS3, along the slopes of the Apennines, the route crosses an area rich in history and scenic landscapes until reaching Fossato di Vico, a characteristic village nestled at the foot of the mountains.

Among the main points of interest are the remains of a Roman bridge located along the ancient Flaminian consular road and the ancient fortified walkway known as “Le Rughe”, part of the historic complex of Fossato di Vico, which still preserves elements of the medieval defensive system and bears witness to the strategic importance of the village in controlling communication routes.

The fifth stage starts again from Fossato di Vico and descends into the valley, crossing farmland and cultivated fields that bear witness to the area’s rural traditions.

The route continues near the Castle of Baccaresca, now an important hospitality structure, a charming historic residence set in the greenery, and crosses a landscape characterised by farms and agritourism facilities that reflect the agricultural vocation of the area.

Along the way, about halfway through the stage, one encounters the Church of Santa Croce di Culiano, a former Templar church and the only presence of the Templar Order within the vast diocese of Nocera Umbra, whose medieval boundaries coincided with those of the county linked to the Vico family.

The route finally leads to Sigillo, a pleasant town at the foot of the Apennines, which still preserves the typical features of a medieval village, with a historic centre rich in history and traditions.

The sixth stage starts from Sigillo and follows a route that alternates between paved roads and gravel tracks, crossing the local rural landscape dominated by the presence of Monte Cucco, one of the most remarkable natural heritage sites of the Umbrian Apennines.

As the shortest stage of the itinerary, it offers travellers the opportunity to dedicate more time to exploring the Monte Cucco Regional Park, a natural area of great environmental value. Here it is possible to explore the many park trails, walk through the extensive beech forest covering the mountain slopes, and visit the renowned Monte Cucco Cave, one of the most important karst caves in Italy.

The route finally leads to Costacciaro, a characteristic Apennine village at the foot of Monte Cucco, also rich in history and traditions.

The route resumes from Costacciaro, a village located at the foot of the Monte Cucco massif. Here it is possible to visit the Church of San Francesco, characterised by a Romanesque façade dating back to the 13th century and historically considered an important Templar site. From Costacciaro it is also possible to access the Monte Cucco Regional Park, in the area of Pian delle Macinare, explore its numerous trails, walk through the extensive beech forest covering the mountain slopes, and visit the renowned Monte Cucco Cave.

Leaving the village, the route continues along a path that alternates between paved roads and gravel tracks, crossing rural countryside and small settlements such as Villa Col dei Canali, Coldagello, and Costa San Savino.

The route finally leads to Scheggia, a place rich in history and monumental heritage. Among the main points of interest are the Civic Tower of Scheggia, dating back to the 11th century, the Church of Saints Philip and James, and the evocative Sanctuary of Monte Calvario, a place of devotion set within the Apennine landscape.

This stage represents the final section of the route within the Umbrian territory, set in the administrative area of the Municipality of Scheggia-Pascelupo. The route starts from Scheggia and heads towards the slopes of the Apennines, initially climbing up to the locality of Campitello.

From here, the path descends again into the valley towards Ponte Calcara, before continuing along the route of the historic Via Arceviese, crossing a narrow valley set between the Apennine mountains, known as the evocative Gola del Corno, one of the most characteristic natural passages in the area. Continuing along alternating ascents and gentle descents, the route passes through the small villages of Isola Fossara, Coldipeccio, Pascelupo, and Perticano.

The stage concludes at the evocative Abbey of Saints Emiliano and Bartolomeo in Congiuntoli, an ancient monastic complex set within the Apennine landscape, a place of great historical and spiritual significance.