Via Lauretana Stage 4 South: Muccia to Belforte del Chienti

Via Lauretana Stage 4 South route

The stage starts in Muccia and ends in Belforte del Chienti. In between, the route passes Pontelatrave, Polverina, Valcimarra and Caldarola. At Polverina the walk rejoins the ancient Via Lauretana and then climbs north to Valcimarra. Further on it passes the Lago di Borgiano, a lake that accompanies the walk through green countryside.

Landmarks of the stage include Pontelatrave, Caldarola, the Lago di Borgiano and Belforte del Chienti, with its castle.

This is the southern variant of the fourth stage. The northern variant, which passes through Camerino, has its own itinerary: the page Via Lauretana Stage 4 North describes that route, which also ends in Belforte del Chienti. The previous stage of the South variant runs from Colfiorito to Muccia (18.1 km) and has no dedicated page. The overview of the whole route is on the page dedicated to the Via Lauretana.

Via Lauretana Stage 4 South: technical data

• Start and finish: from Muccia to Belforte del Chienti, not a loop.
• Trail number: VL.
• Length: about 24 km.
• Difficulty: E, on the CAI scale.
• Elevation: highest 531 m, lowest 274 m.
• Elevation change: about 620 m. Since the route is linear, the figure changes depending on the direction of travel.

Near the start there are four parking areas, at about 74 m, 171 m, 205 m and 350 m. Along the stage there are several drinking water points.

Before setting off, it is worth checking the weather and the updated information on the official Cammini Lauretani website.

Via Lauretana Stage 4 South map

The route is linear and links Muccia to Belforte del Chienti. The trail is identified by the code VL. Since it is not a loop, the finish is in a different place from the start, so it helps to plan the return or transfer in advance.

Points of interest on Via Lauretana Stage 4 South

The stage passes mostly religious buildings:

• the church of Sant'Eustachio;
• the church of the Santissimo Crocifisso;
• the church of San Giacomo;
• the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, in Pievefavera;
• the Church of Santi Pietro e Biagio;
• the church of Santa Croce;
• the church of the Immacolata in Polverina;
• the church of San Francesco;
• the Santuario Madonna del Sasso.

Points of interest also include a wayside shrine dedicated to Santa Lucia and the Grotta dell'Elettrodotto cave.

The route passes the village of Caccamo and the hamlets of Pievefavera, Valcimarra alta, Valdiea and Polverina. At Valcimarra is the Sorgente Valcimarra spring, and at one point along the route there is a picnic table. In Caldarola stands the imposing Pallotta Castle.