Via Lauretana: Stages and Route from Assisi to Loreto

Via Lauretana stages

The official route from Assisi to Loreto has 7 stages. Between the third and the fourth there are two variants, north and south. The distances given are those of the official Cammini Lauretani website:

• Stage 1: Assisi – Spello, 13 km
• Stage 2: Spello – Colfiorito, 28.7 km
• Stage 3 North: Colfiorito – Camerino, 25.2 km
• Stage 3 South: Colfiorito – Muccia, 18.1 km
• Stage 4 North: Camerino – Belforte del Chienti, 18.1 km
• Stage 4 South: Muccia – Belforte del Chienti, 24 km
• Stage 5: Belforte del Chienti – Tolentino, 9 km
• Stage 6: Tolentino – Macerata, 27 km
• Stage 7: Macerata – Loreto, 34 km

The stage from Spello to Colfiorito is the most demanding of the entire Via Lauretana, for both length and elevation gain. It is also one of the first, so it is best to arrive already in good shape.

Stage 3 North marks the entry into the Marche. It links the Colfiorito plateaus to the valleys leading to Camerino. It is about 25 km long, takes a long day of walking and involves a few hundred meters of elevation change, both up and down. The route follows the Chienti river and passes Serravalle di Chienti and Pieve Torina. Cultural and spiritual stops include the Santuario di Macereto and the Eremo di Sant'Angelo hermitage. The Via Lauretana Stage 3 North page describes this stage.

Stage 4 North runs from Camerino to Belforte del Chienti. It follows the variant through Camerino, with the cathedral of the Santissima Annunziata and the Ducal Palace in Camerino, and continues toward Caldarola. It is about 18 km long, takes just over 5 hours and has a few hundred meters of elevation change, both up and down. Details are on the Via Lauretana Stage 4 North and Via Lauretana Stage 4 South pages: both variants end in Belforte del Chienti.

The Via Lauretana route

The historic route starts in Rome. At first it coincides with the Via Flaminia as far as Foligno. There the Flaminia continues north to Fano, while the Lauretana proper heads for the Umbrian-Marche Apennines. It crosses them at the Colfiorito pass and passes Muccia, Camerino and Tolentino before reaching Loreto. Today's walking route, however, begins in Assisi.

On the south variant the 16th-century route continues beyond Muccia. It passes Pontelatrave, Polverina and Valcimarra with its lake, then Caldarola and finally Belforte del Chienti. The north variant through Camerino shares the Polverina route as far as the convent of San Francesco di Pontelatrave. It then branches off and crosses the Romanesque bridge of Pievebovigliana. It goes through Campolarzo, a hamlet of Camerino, and rejoins the 16th-century route at Polverina, continuing with it to Valcimarra.

The surface varies a lot along the way: about 40% is asphalt, 30% dirt road and 30% natural trail. The paved stretches are long, which is worth keeping in mind when choosing footwear and pace. The route is marked with purple stickers bearing the words "Via Lauretana".

In the Marche there is also an itinerary linked to the ancient Lauretan route (14th-16th centuries), split into two stages. It connects Serravalle di Chienti, Camerino and San Severino Marche. Along the way are the Casale di San Niccolò farmhouse, the slopes of Monte Igno (1,435 m), the Convento di Renacavata and the Grotte di Sant'Eustachio caves.

For other multi-day routes in the area, see the page on multi-day hikes and treks.

Planning the Via Lauretana

The best period runs from May to September. On the stages between Camerino and Tolentino, some trails can become impassable in winter after snowfall. Before setting off, it is worth checking the weather and the conditions of the mountain sections.

With 7 stages, the Via Lauretana from Assisi to Loreto takes a week of walking. There are also guided programs in 7 stages, which from Assisi pass through Colfiorito, Muccia and Camerino and continue to Macerata and Recanati before reaching Loreto. Some stages are very long: the Muccia – Camerino – Belforte del Chienti day, for example, has been described as long and with steep climbs and descents, but with very varied scenery. It crosses woods, pastures and farmland, with views over the Lago di Polverina and the Lago di Caccamo.

The historic center of Camerino still bears the marks of the earthquake. Before planning a stop there, it is worth checking whether the places of interest are open and safe to access.

The official Cammini Lauretani website has recently reported some works and changes. They include a temporary alternative route between Colfiorito and Serravalle di Chienti, which may change over time. The trail from the Santuario di Col de' Venti toward Muccia and the one through the Bavareto woods have been improved. These updates are worth checking before departure.

Where to stay along the Via Lauretana

The stage end points are Spello, Colfiorito, Camerino or Muccia (depending on the variant), Belforte del Chienti, Tolentino, Macerata and Loreto. The variant chosen for the third and fourth stages therefore changes the overnight stop: Camerino on the north route, Muccia on the south route. The list of accommodation is in the hospitality section of the official Cammini Lauretani website.