The Cammino dei Cappuccini: Le Marche, at a leisurely pace

The Cammino dei Cappuccini is a route of around 400 km that runs from north to south through the Marche hinterland. It starts in Fossombrone and ends in Ascoli Piceno, following an inland route through hills, gorges, valleys and mountainous sections. It is not a linear route in the simplest sense of the word. It is divided into stages that you can adapt: some are longer, some are shorter, and you can tailor them to your own pace.

At the start, you travel through the Metauro Valley and pass through the Furlo Gorge, where the landscape is enclosed by rocky walls. The route then continues towards Cagli and the Monte Catria, culminating at Fonte Avellana Abbey, one of the most significant sites along the way. Further on, you will pass through towns such as Fabriano, Camerino and San Severino Marche, alternating between built-up areas and quieter stretches, until you reach the more open landscapes of the Sibillini Mountains. On the final stages, you will descend towards the south of the region, passing through villages such as Offida before reaching Ascoli Piceno.

You don't have to complete all the stages in order. You can choose a few sections and build your route up bit by bit: the Camino works that way too.

Along the way, you'll find yourself constantly moving from one setting to another. There are towns like Cagli or Camerino, where you can walk in, cross a square, stop for a break, and then carry on without slowing down. Then there are more secluded places, such as abbeys and hermitages, where your pace slows down almost of its own accord.

For example, on the wooded slopes of Monte Catria, between Serra Sant'Abbondio and Frontone, the Fonte Avellana Monastery emerges from among the trees, its simple lines in pale stone visible through the trees. The monastery is still inhabited and has a long monastic tradition: you can go inside, spend some time in the cloister, or simply pause for a few minutes in silence before continuing your journey.

A little further on, in the Camerino area, the Renacavata Convent marks one of the most significant points along the route. Here, in the 16th century, the experience of the first Capuchins took shape. Today, the complex retains a simple, almost intimate atmosphere that invites you to take a brief but thoughtful pause.

On some sections, you walk through woodland, while on others, you follow open ridges: it is this alternation that makes the route varied and never monotonous. You don't need to plan all your stops. If a place intrigues you, stop. Even just a few minutes are enough to add another dimension to your day. And if you happen to arrive towards evening, that's the best time: there's less activity, more silence, and the walk takes on a different character.

You don't always have the time or the inclination to tackle a multi-day walk. And this is where the Capuchin Rings come in.

There are 31 circular routes across the region, designed to be completed in a day and built around the main stages of the Way of St James. They don't replace the Camino, but they allow you to join it without having to organise complex journeys. They're also a great option if you're already on the road: you can use them as detours to explore an area that has caught your eye at a more leisurely pace.

If you enjoy walking through hills and vineyards, the Fossombrone circular route is a good starting point: it passes through an open landscape, with views of the Metauro valley and the Furlo Gorge, and is also suitable for those who want to start without overly challenging sections.

If, on the other hand, you're looking for an experience more focused on a historic town centre, the San Severino Marche circular route allows you to alternate between streets, squares and paths just outside the town walls, all the way to the Capuchin convent: a well-balanced option combining nature and cultural heritage.

Further south, the Offida circular route offers a different pace: it starts in the village and takes you through countryside and vineyards, with views that, on clear days, extend as far as the Sibillini Mountains. This is one of the best routes if you want to combine beautiful scenery, local tradition and a pleasant stop along the way.

Whichever circular route you choose, you will set off from and return to the same point, with the freedom to manage your time and stops. People often start here, and it's not uncommon for them to want to carry on.

There is no one right way to tackle the Cammino dei Cappuccini. You can start with a circular route, select a few stages, or put together a longer route. What matters is finding the pace that's right for you. There's no need to speed up: after the first few kilometres, your pace will settle down on its own, and it will become easier to work out when to stop and when to carry on.

If you can, leave room for the unexpected. A section you hadn't considered, a stop longer than planned, an encounter. You can also keep your equipment to the essentials. Choose second-hand shoes that you're familiar with, keep your rucksack light, and dress in layers so you can adapt to changes in temperature.

Along the way, you will find various places to stop, including convents and accommodation facilities for pilgrims: simple stopping points, often linked to the people who live in and look after these places. It's best to plan a little in advance, especially for the busiest stages, so that you can arrive without rushing. The rest is taken care of by the walk itself. After a while, you realise that everything falls into place by itself: your pace, your breaks, and even the way you approach the walk.