Via delle Abbazie

Centro Route

It starts in Milan, or in Brescia with the Variante Bresciana. It climbs the Emilian Apennines and crosses the Casentino Forests, then Umbria, all the way to Montecassino.

Stages: 16
Km: ~1,306
Elevation: ~20,370 m
Days: ~21

Download the route GPX (GPX · 1729 KB)Brescia Variant (Variante Bresciana) (whole variant) (GPX · 143 KB)

GPX 1.1 file with the track, elevation and the abbeys as waypoints. Tracks are calculated on real roads and cycle routes (OpenStreetMap): check them on the ground before you set off.

Alerts on this route

Stage 2 · Morimondo → Certosa di Pavia: Since 1 January 2026 the Carthusian monks have left the Certosa di Pavia after nearly sixty years, moving to Casamari. The complex now falls under sole management by the Ministry of Culture, with longer hours and, for the first time, an entrance fee. There is no longer a pilgrim guesthouse inside the Certosa. Base yourself in Pavia town instead, where guesthouses such as Foresteria dei Baldi or Foresteria Lombarda are still open. (checked September 2026)
Stage 9 · Vallombrosa → Camaldoli: Trail 82 (MTB6) from Rifugio Oia to Terre Rosse stays closed under the municipal order of 26 March 2025, updated by the Park on 19 August 2026. No reopening has been announced. Between Vallombrosa and Camaldoli the practical option runs on the forest road through Passo della Consuma, on the former SS70, then descends on tarmac towards Camaldoli. Check before setting off. (checked September 2026)
Stage 13 · Spoleto → Norcia: The landslide at Balza Tagliata is still active, but the works have started. At the end of June 2026 the Umbria Region confirmed construction on the Piedipaterno-Balza Tagliata-Casale Volpetti section, due to start in September 2026. The goal is to reopen passage as far as Cerreto di Spoleto and Norcia. If the route is cut, the busy provincial road stays the only alternative through the road tunnels. (checked September 2026)

Map

Map of the Centro Route: track, stages, abbeys and places to stay

Elevation profile

Tracks calculated on real roads and cycle paths (OpenStreetMap); elevations from SRTM data — to be checked on the ground

The stages

Variant stages: Brescia Variant (Variante Bresciana)

Roadbook

Roadbook — Centro Route
#	From → To	km	cum. km	D+	Difficulty	Surface	Sleep
1	Chiaravalle → Morimondo	36	36	20 m	Easy	100% asphalt, 0% gravel · 79% on cycle routes	Morimondo: abbey guesthouse
2	Morimondo → Certosa di Pavia	33	69	0 m	Easy	89% asphalt, 11% gravel · 75% on cycle routes	Pavia: hotels in town
3	Certosa di Pavia → Piacenza	81	150	80 m	Easy-Medium	79% asphalt, 21% gravel · 84% on cycle routes	Piacenza: hotels in the centre
— Brescia Variant (Variante Bresciana) —
V1	Rodengo Saiano → Cremona	101	—	190 m	Moderate	82% asphalt, 18% gravel · 83% on cycle routes	Hotel in central Cremona
V2	Cremona → Piacenza	45	—	20 m	Easy	97% asphalt, 3% gravel · 71% on cycle routes	Piacenza: hotels in the centre
— End of variant · Reconnection at Piacenza —
4	Piacenza → San Colombano	47	197	390 m	Easy-Medium	94% asphalt, 6% gravel · 46% on cycle routes	Ostello delle Grazie (Monastero di San Colombano)
5	San Colombano → Borgo Val di Taro	97	294	2,510 m	Challenging	95% asphalt, 5% gravel · 70% on cycle routes	Borgo Val di Taro: small hotels and B&Bs
6	Borgo Val di Taro → Bismantova	118	412	2,990 m	Challenging	98% asphalt, 2% gravel · 66% on cycle routes	Bismantova/Castelnovo ne' Monti area: agriturismo
7	Bismantova → Firenzuola	165	577	3,300 m	Challenging	92% asphalt, 8% gravel · 28% on cycle routes	Firenzuola: small hotels and B&Bs
8	Firenzuola → Vallombrosa	92	669	1,650 m	Challenging	92% asphalt, 8% gravel · 28% on cycle routes	Foresteria dell'Abbazia di Vallombrosa
9	Vallombrosa → Camaldoli	52	721	1,000 m	Moderate	74% asphalt, 26% gravel · 28% on cycle routes	Foresteria del Monastero di Camaldoli
10	Camaldoli → Umbertide	123	844	1,350 m	Challenging	78% asphalt, 22% gravel · 38% on cycle routes	Umbertide: hotels in the centre
11	Umbertide → Assisi	58	902	560 m	Moderate	98% asphalt, 2% gravel · 28% on cycle routes	Assisi: religious guesthouses
12	Assisi → Spoleto	48	950	480 m	Easy-Medium	97% asphalt, 3% gravel · 34% on cycle routes	Spoleto: mid-range hotels
13	Spoleto → Norcia	58	1008	890 m	Moderate	44% asphalt, 56% gravel · 52% on cycle routes	Norcia: small hotels
14	Norcia → Subiaco	165	1173	2,810 m	Challenging	92% asphalt, 8% gravel · 16% on cycle routes	Foresteria del Monastero di Santa Scolastica
15	Subiaco → Casamari	71	1244	1,190 m	Moderate-Challenging	100% asphalt, 0% gravel · 35% on cycle routes	Foresteria dell'Abbazia di Casamari
16	Casamari → Montecassino	62	1306	1,150 m	Moderate-Challenging	100% asphalt, 0% gravel · 41% on cycle routes	Guesthouse at the Abbey of Montecassino

Where to sleep along the route 14 places listed

Camping Ticinocampsite
Pavia (Lido, via Mascherpa 16)
Price:

~€26–29 per pitch/night
Open:

late April – early October
Facilities:

shaded tent pitches, hot showers, swimming pool, Wi-Fi, in the Ticino Park 2.5 km from the centre
Source:

campingticino.it · camping.info/en/campsite/camping-ticino
Two-star campsite on the Ticino, just past the Certosa di Pavia: the perfect first night out of Milan/Morimondo.
Ostello delle Grazie (Monastero di San Colombano)hostel
Bobbio (piazza Santa Fara)
Price:

donation-based (monastic tradition)
Open:

year-round, booking required
Facilities:

dorms with shared bathrooms, kitchen, common rooms, rooms with 18th-century frescoes; also the Casa del Pellegrino (max 4 beds) by the cathedral
Source:

bobbio.civitascolumbani.it/ostello
Sleep next to the Abbey of San Colombano, the heart of the stage: donation-based hospitality inside the monastery itself.
Camping Ponte Gobbocampsite
Bobbio (via San Martino 4)
Price:

campsite rates, call ahead (0523 936927)
Open:

June–September (tent pitches)
Facilities:

tent pitches on the Trebbia next to the Ponte Gobbo, bar, sports grounds, river beach a short walk away
Source:

campingpontegobbo.com · visitpiacenza.it
Bobbio's historic campsite, on the banks of the Trebbia overlooking the Ponte Gobbo and the village.
Camping Europa (Pro Loco Borgotaro)campsite
Borgo Val di Taro (via Stradella 1)
Price:

budget, run by the Pro Loco (0525 99363)
Open:

seasonal (summer), check with the Pro Loco
Facilities:

two-star campsite along the Taro, an official stage stop on the Via degli Abati (the "mountain Francigena" the route follows from Bobbio)
Source:

camminiemiliaromagna.it (Via degli Abati, tappa Bardi–Borgo Val di Taro, sez. dove dormire)
Borgotaro's only campsite, listed in the official Via degli Abati accommodation.
Rifugio della Pietramountain hut
Castelnovo ne' Monti, Pietra di Bismantova (via Bismantova 43/a)
Price:

on request (0522 613238)
Open:

year-round (check weekday opening off-season)
Facilities:

guesthouse with beds, bar-restaurant serving local food, at the foot of the Pietra's rock face, next to the Benedictine hermitage
Source:

rifugiodellapietra.it · parks.it/rif/rifugio.della.pietra
Sleep at the base of the Pietra di Bismantova, in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park: a spectacular stage finish.
Camping La Futacampsite
Passo della Futa, Firenzuola (FI)
Price:

budget campsite rates, tent + person
Open:

seasonal (late spring – early autumn)
Facilities:

shaded tent pitches, swimming pool, bar, restaurant-pizzeria, washing sinks; a classic stage stop on the Via degli Dei
Source:

campinglafuta.it · viadeglidei.it/passo-della-futa/campeggio-la-futa
On the ridge of the Futa Pass, where the route crosses the Via degli Dei: a favourite with hikers and bikepackers.
Foresteria dell'Abbazia di Vallombrosaguesthouse
Vallombrosa, Reggello (FI)
Price:

donation or rate to be agreed with the monks
Open:

year-round, booking required (055 862251)
Facilities:

simple rooms in the monks' old dormitory, Benedictine hospitality for individuals and groups, refectory
Source:

monaci.org (Monaci Benedettini Vallombrosani, sito ufficiale)
A night in the thousand-year-old abbey deep in the Pratomagno forest: stage finish and monastic experience in one.
Foresteria del Monastero di Camaldoliguesthouse
Camaldoli, Poppi (AR)
Price:

half or full board, rate to be agreed with the guesthouse (tel. 0575 556013)
Open:

year-round, except closure periods (check with the guesthouse)
Facilities:

up to 154 beds in single rooms and en-suite dorms, refectories, bar, library, spaces for silence; in the heart of the Casentino Forests
Source:

camaldoli.it/ospitalita/ospitalita-monastero · parks.it
The great monastic guesthouse of the Casentino, at the end of the Vallombrosa→Camaldoli stage; free retreat-style hospitality also possible.
Camping–Ostello Fontemaggiocampsite
Assisi (via Eremo delle Carceri 24)
Price:

~€15 per person with tent (approx.); budget hostel beds
Open:

year-round (campsite: no booking needed)
Facilities:

~80 tent pitches in Monte Subasio Park, hostel and La Stalla restaurant, 15 min on foot from the centre of Assisi
Source:

fontemaggio.it/camping-assisi · camping.info
On the road to the Eremo delle Carceri, 800 m from Porta Cappuccini: the historic base for pilgrims and cyclists on the Via di Francesco.
Ostello Villa Redentahostel
Spoleto (via di Villa Redenta 1)
Price:

rooms from ~€60 (double), breakfast included
Open:

year-round
Facilities:

16 en-suite rooms (doubles, triples, quads), breakfast, parking, historic park; pets allowed
Source:

booking.com/hotel/it/ostello-villa-redenta.html · tripadvisor.com
Hostel in an 18th-century villa with grounds, at the end of the Assisi–Spoleto cycle stage (the old Camping Monteluco appears to be closed).
Camping Il Collacciocampsite
Castelvecchio di Preci (PG), Valnerina
Price:

budget tent pitches (booking/pitchup)
Open:

April – October (approx.)
Facilities:

shaded pitches with views of the Sibillini, two swimming pools, restaurant and pork butcher's, glamping and chalets
Source:

ilcollaccio.com/en/come-sleep/camping · pitchup.com
Historic farm campsite in the Valnerina, ~6 km off the Spoleto→Norcia route (detour via Preci): the valley's only real campsite.
Foresteria del Monastero di Santa Scolasticaguesthouse
Subiaco (RM)
Price:

from ~€37 (B&B) to ~€60 (full board), to be checked
Open:

year-round (tel. 0774 85569)
Facilities:

50 en-suite rooms (100 beds), restaurant, bar, private parking, grounds; welcomes Cammino di San Benedetto pilgrims
Source:

benedettini-subiaco.org/foresteria · camminodibenedetto.it
Sleep in the Benedictine monastery of Santa Scolastica, stage finish at Subiaco: the route's signature overnight stop.
Foresteria dell'Abbazia di Casamariguesthouse
Casamari, Veroli (FR)
Price:

from ~€20 room only, to be confirmed when booking
Open:

year-round, booking required (tel. 0775 282371)
Facilities:

new, comfortable guesthouse run by the Cistercian monks; welcomes pilgrims passing through on the Cammino di San Benedetto and the southern Via Francigena
Source:

abbaziadicasamari.it/index.php/ospitalita · camminodibenedetto.it
A night inside the Cistercian complex of Casamari, end of the Subiaco→Casamari stage, the last stop before Montecassino.
Camping Parco al Pocampsite
Cremona (via del Sale 60/A)
Price:

€1/hour (pay only for the time you stay)
Open:

year-round, automated 24h access
Facilities:

56 pitches with electricity and water, 24h toilets and showers, laundry, lit cycle/foot path to the centre (1 km)
Source:

campingcremona.it · informagiovani.comune.cremona.it
Automated site in the greenery of the Parco al Po: ideal on the Brescia variant (Rodengo Saiano→Cremona, Oglio cycle route).

The Pietra di Bismantova under snow, Reggio Apennines — The Pietra di Bismantova, Reggio ApenninesPhoto: Oldangia · CC0

The Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi seen from the upper lawn — The Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, Umbrian ValleyPhoto: Chris Light · CC BY-SA 4.0

Abbeys on this route

Abbazia di Chiaravalle — Founded in 1135 by Saint Bernard at the gates of Milan.
Abbazia di Morimondo — Cistercian from 1134, in the countryside between Milan and Pavia.
Certosa di Pavia — Grand Charterhouse commissioned by the Visconti in 1396.
Abbazia di Rodengo Saiano — Olivetan abbey of the XV century in Franciacorta. Starting point of the Variante Bresciana.
Abbazia di San Colombano — Founded in 614 at Bobbio, cultural center of the Middle Ages.
Pietra di Bismantova — Cited by Dante in the Purgatorio.
Abbazia di Vallombrosa — Founded in 1036 in the Pratomagno forests.
Eremo di Camaldoli — Founded in 1012 by Saint Romuald.
Basilica di San Francesco (Assisi) — UNESCO Heritage. Giotto's frescoes.
Abbazia di San Pietro in Valle — Founded 8th century in Valnerina. Unique early medieval frescoes.
Monastero S. Benedetto (Subiaco) — Holy Grotto where Saint Benedict lived as a hermit.
Abbazia di Casamari — Cistercian masterpiece of 1203 in the Liri Valley.
Abbazia di Montecassino — Founded in 529 by Saint Benedict. Final destination.

Important notes

Via delle Abbazie is an amateur, non-profit project. It was born to share the land and the hidden beauty of this country, to be crossed slowly by bike. It offers information and no tourist services: no packages, guides, escorts, luggage transfers or support along the way. The tracks are still being checked and carry no waymarks; distances, climbing, opening times and availability are indicative and may change.

Everyone rides entirely at their own risk. Assess your fitness and the condition of your bike, check the weather and traffic, and follow the Italian Highway Code and the rules of the places you pass through. Abbeys and hermitages are places of prayer and home to the communities who live there. Enter quietly, follow their rhythms and silences, respect private property and nature, and leave every place as you found it. Wild camping is regulated by Italy's regions and is often banned in national and regional parks, such as Foreste Casentinesi, Monti Sibillini, Monti Simbruini, Gran Sasso and Majella. For the night, choose campsites and proper places to stay.

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