# Hike from Assisi to the Eremo delle Carceri and the Croce di Sassopiano

Hike · 5 h · 12 km · +500 m · Path 350

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/umbria/assisi/things-to-do/eremo-delle-carceri-hike · Revisado: 2026-11-11

Dónde: Assisi

The Eremo delle Carceri is a group of cells and chapels in a wooded gorge of Subasio, where Francis and his companions retired to pray. You can get there by road, but walking up from the town you understand why they chose it.

## What the Eremo is

Before Francis there was already a chapel here surrounded by caves where hermits retired. With him, the word carceri, prisons, came to mean voluntary confinement in solitude. In 1400 St Bernardino of Siena enlarged it with a small convent and the little church of Santa Maria delle Carceri. It is all set in a dense holm-oak wood, and beside the hermitage grows a very old holm oak, the tree of the birds, where according to tradition the birds perched to sing for the saint.

## Why do the hike and who it suits

The route brings together three things in a day: the climb through the woods to the hermitage, the silent visit and an open ending at the Croce di Sassopiano, a cross looking out over the whole Umbrian plain, with Assisi at your feet. It then crosses part of the meadows at the top of Subasio, a landscape of pasture that few people associate with Assisi.

It suits those who walk regularly and can manage about five hours with 500 metres of climbing. There are no technical sections. The park does not consider it a family route: with children, it is better to go up only as far as the Eremo and come back.

## Getting to the start

The Rocca Minore, also called Rocchicciola, is in the highest part of Assisi's historic centre, above the Piazza del Comune. If you are staying in the town, you set off on foot from your hotel. If you come by car, park in one of the car parks in the upper part of the old town and walk up: the centre has restricted traffic.

## When to go

Spring and autumn are the best times: the woods are green and the temperatures allow you to climb without strain. In summer set off very early, because the upper part and the provincial road have no shade. In winter the summit may have snow or fog; if the day is not clear, stay on the first part, as far as the Eremo.

To avoid crowds at the Eremo, arrive first thing: in mid-morning cars and groups come up the road.

## What it costs

Nothing. The path and the visit to the Eremo are free.

## If the weather is bad

In rain or fog, the upper part loses its view and the meadow becomes unpleasant. Do only the climb to the Eremo along the track of the 350, which goes almost entirely through the woods, and leave Sassopiano for another day. The alternative in town is the Basilica of St Francis, entirely indoors.

## Paso a paso

### 1 h · From the Rocca Minore to the Fonte San Rufino
From the Rocca Minore, at the top of Assisi, take path 350: a wide dirt track that climbs about 2 km to the spring. Next to the Rocca there is a shaded picnic area.

### 20 min · To the Eremo
A short stretch along the tarmac road leads to the hermitage. Visit it in silence.

### 1 h 30 · To the Croce di Sassopiano
Continue along the provincial road towards San Benedetto and, in the area called Rimboschimento, turn left onto path 354 as far as the cross, looking out over the valley and Assisi.

### 2 h · Return across the meadow
Cross part of the summit meadow on the 350 to the Vallonica refuge and descend by the same path to the Eremo and the town.

## Qué llevar

- Water for the whole route

- Mountain footwear

- Sun protection: the meadow has no shade

- The GPS track downloaded on your phone

- Suitable clothing to enter the Eremo

- Something to eat for the summit

## Consejos

### If you only want the Eremo
Do the first part, there and back on the 350: about two and a half hours.

### Avoid the road at midday
The park recommends the dirt track over the tarmac, which is sunny and has traffic.

### Fill up with water at the Fonte San Rufino
It is the only spring the route mentions, and it is at the beginning.

### If you have energy to spare, continue to the summit
The Assisi portal suggests extending the route with the climb to the summit of Subasio for those with experience and good fitness.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How long does it take?
About five hours without stops for the full 12 km.

### Is it difficult?
It is a hiking-level route, with 500 m of climbing. It has no technical sections.

### Can it be done with children?
The park does not consider it a family route. With children, go up only as far as the Eremo.

### Do you pay anything?
No. The path and the visit to the Eremo are free.

### Is there water on the way?
At the Fonte San Rufino, about 2 km from the start. Carry the rest with you.

### Is there a GPS track?
Yes, Assisi's tourist portal links the track on Wikiloc.