Via Lauretana Stage 3 North: Colfiorito to Camerino

Via Lauretana Stage 3 North route

The stage starts in Colfiorito, where the previous stage, Spello - Colfiorito (28.7 km), ends. The route reaches Camerino, in the province of Macerata, joining the Umbria-Marche plateau to the ducal town.

The North variant is one of the two options for the third stage. The South variant runs from Colfiorito to Muccia and is 18.1 km long. After Camerino, Stage 4 North continues toward Belforte del Chienti: it is described on the page Via Lauretana Stage 04 North. Walkers who choose Muccia will find the continuation on the page Via Lauretana Stage 04 South. An overview of the whole route is on the Via Lauretana page.

The best period runs from May to September. In May, on the 18th, Camerino celebrates its patron saint, San Venanzio. Since the route is linear, it is best to arrange the return to the starting point in advance. On the paved road sections, watch out for passing cars.

Via Lauretana Stage 3 North: technical data

• Start and finish: from Colfiorito to Camerino.
• Length: 25.2 km.
• Route type: linear, not a loop.
• Difficulty: E on the CAI scale.
• Highest and lowest elevation: 777 m and 468 m.
• Elevation change: a few hundred meters, between ascents and descents. On linear routes the figure depends on the direction of travel.

The trail is marked with the code VL. It is wise to plan the day with plenty of margin and to check the weather before setting off.

Via Lauretana Stage 3 North map

The map shows the linear route from Colfiorito to Camerino, 25.2 km long, with elevations between 468 and 777 m. The points of interest are marked along the route: viewpoints, churches, wayside shrines, ruins, fountains and drinking water points.

Points of interest on Via Lauretana Stage 3 North

The main landmark is the Basilica of San Venanzio in Camerino, dedicated to the town's patron saint. The earthquake of August 24, 2016 damaged it and kept it closed. It was later reopened for worship thanks to a restoration funded by the Fondazione Arvedi Buschini of Cremona. After the earthquake of 1799 it was rebuilt in Neoclassical style, but it keeps its medieval portal. Next to the basilica is the Belvedere San Venanzio, a panoramic viewpoint.

The route passes other religious sites:

• the Convento di San Domenico with the Aula di San Sebastiano;
• the Cattedrale della Santissima Annunziata (cathedral);
• the Chiesa di San Venanzio Piccolo, also known as the Oratorio di San Venanzetto;
• the churches of San Carlo Borromeo, Santa Maria in Via and Sant'Anna.

The other viewpoints marked are the Belvedere di Via Seneca and the Belvedere Maria Grazia Capulli. Water stops include the Fonte San Silvestro spring. The route also passes wayside shrines and ruins.