# Hermits, Piero and forests – by motorhome through the Casentino and Valtiberina from Stia to Anghiari

> Around 175 km through the high valley of the Arno and the upper Tiber valley: from Stia via Camaldoli and Poppi to La Verna, to Michelangelo’s birthplace in…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-099-casentino-val-tiberina/

**At a glance:** 7-day road trip of about 88 km (55 mi) with 9 stops, from Stia to Anghiari. About 1 h 13 min of driving in total. Around 175 km through the high valley of the Arno and the upper Tiber valley: from Stia via Camaldoli and Poppi to La Verna, to Michelangelo’s birthplace in Caprese, to Sansepolcro and Piero della Francesca, and via Monterchi to Anghiari.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 88 km (55 mi) |
| Driving | 1 h 13 min |
| Suggested days | 7 |
| Stops | 9 |
| Route | Stia → Anghiari |
| Countries | Italy |
| Updated | September 1, 2026 |

*Around 175 km through the high valley of the Arno and the upper Tiber valley: from Stia via Camaldoli and Poppi to La Verna, to Michelangelo’s birthplace in Caprese, to Sansepolcro and Piero della Francesca, and via Monterchi to Anghiari.*

## The spirit of the route

The Casentino is the source of the Arno, a high valley where Tuscany turns wooded and quiet. Beyond Stia the Foreste Casentinesi National Park begins, beeches and firs so dense that the light dances green on the roof of the motorhome; in Camaldoli hermits have lived since the year 1012, and at La Verna you see on a rock the sanctuary where Francis received the stigmata in 1224. Across the Apennines the Valtiberina follows, open and bright, with Sansepolcro, where Piero della Francesca was born, and with Anghiari, a village on a hill in front of which the battle of 1440 was fought. Anyone who drives here chooses against speed: the passes are winding, the towns small, the days long.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Stia to Camaldoli (approx. 25 km)

- **The drive:** From Stia via Pratovecchio and Strada in Casentino, then on minor roads up to Camaldoli; the last section runs as a forest road with bends and is narrow. About 45 minutes, prone to snow in winter.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Stia: Piazza Tanucci with arcades and the Museo dell’Arte della Lana.
  - Pratovecchio: village with a pieve and a view of the Arno.
  - Eremo di Camaldoli and Monastero: monastery and hermitage in the Foresta di Camaldoli, botanical collection and hiking trails.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In Stia, Pratovecchio and Camaldoli there are small campsites and aree di sosta; selection and opening change, so check beforehand and phone ahead. Many open only from spring to autumn.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, Campigna National Park camping outside campsites is prohibited; overnighting in the hikers’ car parks is not provided for either. Ask the park authority or the municipality beforehand.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Camaldoli is a place of silence: visit the monastery and hermitage in suitable clothing and observe visiting times. The trails in the forest are well marked; bring a map or an app.

### Stage 2: Camaldoli to Poppi (approx. 25 km)

- **The drive:** From Camaldoli back to the SR70 (Consuma) and towards Bibbiena/Poppi; the road is winding, through woods and villages. About 40 minutes.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Castello dei Conti Guidi in Poppi: one of the finest examples of Tuscan castle architecture, with a library.
  - Old town of Poppi with arcades and a view over the Arno valley.
  - Campaldino: battlefield of 1289 (Dante fought here).
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In and around Poppi there are aree di sosta and campsites; offers change, so check beforehand. A pitch below the old town is practical for motorhomes.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the old town of Poppi overnighting is not allowed; in car parks on the edge it is in places tolerated, but without camping behaviour. Wild camping in the surrounding area is prohibited.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Poppi is steep and cobbled; wear sturdy footwear. The library in the castle has fixed opening hours, so check beforehand.

### Stage 3: Poppi to La Verna (approx. 30 km)

- **The drive:** From Poppi via Bibbiena on the SR71 and the provincial road to Chiusi della Verna and up to the sanctuary (about 1,100 m). Winding, with gradients and tight hairpins; demanding for large motorhomes. About 50 minutes.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Santuario della Verna: Franciscan monastery with the Cappella delle Stimmate and the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli.
  - Hiking trails through beech forest around the sanctuary.
  - Bibbiena: old town with the Palazzo Dovizi.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In and around Chiusi della Verna there are small campsites and aree di sosta; selection and opening change, so check beforehand. For large vehicles it is advisable to drive only as far as the edge of the village.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** At the Santuario della Verna overnighting is not provided for; parking is only possible during the day. In the park the camping ban applies.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The sanctuary is a place of pilgrimage: dress appropriately and observe visiting times. The road up is narrow; watch for oncoming traffic and buses.

### Stage 4: La Verna to Caprese Michelangelo (approx. 25 km)

- **The drive:** From La Verna on country roads through the hills to Caprese Michelangelo; the route is narrow and winding, about 45 minutes. Check your navigation.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Caprese Michelangelo: Michelangelo’s birthplace, with a museum in the Palazzo del Podestà.
  - Castello di Caprese and the Michelangelo park.
  - Viewpoints over the Valtiberina.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In and around Caprese there are small aree di sosta and agriturismi; the selection changes, so check beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In car parks on the edge of Caprese overnighting is only possible where it is not prohibited; wild camping in the woods is prohibited.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The Michelangelo museum is small but informative; allow an hour. The area is known for wine, honey and chestnuts.

### Stage 5: Caprese Michelangelo to Sansepolcro (approx. 30 km)

- **The drive:** From Caprese on minor roads down into the Tiber valley (Pieve Santo Stefano) and on the E45 (SS3bis) to Sansepolcro; flat to hilly, about 40 minutes. The centre is a ZTL.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Museo Civico di Sansepolcro: the “Resurrezione” and other works by Piero della Francesca.
  - Cathedral and old town with the Palazzo delle Laudi.
  - Aboca Museum: medicinal herbs and the art of the apothecary.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In Sansepolcro there is a municipal area di sosta and campsites in the surrounding area; check current status and prices in the apps beforehand. A pitch on the edge of town spares you the ZTL.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the centre of Sansepolcro overnighting for motorhomes is not allowed; the ZTL is camera-monitored. Free camping in car parks on the edge is in places tolerated, but without camping behaviour.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Piero della Francesca is the star of the town; check combined tickets and opening times beforehand. In September the Palio della Balestra takes place – then the town is full.

### Stage 6: Sansepolcro to Monterchi (approx. 20 km)

- **The drive:** From Sansepolcro on the SP via Citerna to Monterchi; flat to hilly, about 25 minutes.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Monterchi: Museo della Madonna del Parto with the fresco by Piero della Francesca.
  - Citerna: hilltop village with a view over the Valtiberina.
  - Landscape of the Tiber valleys with vineyards.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In and around Monterchi there are small aree di sosta and agriturismi; the selection changes, so check beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** At the museum car park overnighting is not provided for; wild camping in the surrounding area is prohibited.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The Madonna del Parto museum is small but famous; opening times and visitor numbers may be limited, so check beforehand.

### Stage 7: Monterchi to Anghiari (approx. 20 km)

- **The drive:** From Monterchi across the Valtiberina to Anghiari; flat, about 30 minutes. Anghiari lies on a hill, and the old town is tight and ZTL.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Anghiari: medieval old town with the Museo della Battaglia di Anghiari.
  - Walk along the remains of the town wall with views over the plain.
  - Piana di Anghiari: scene of the battle of 1440.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In and around Anghiari there are aree di sosta and campsites; the selection changes, so check beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the old town of Anghiari overnighting is not allowed; parking on the edge is possible. Wild camping is prohibited.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Anghiari is known for cloth weaving and the battle; the museum and the weaving workshops have fixed opening hours.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Italian law (Codice della Strada, Art. 185) distinguishes parking (“sosta”) from camping (“campeggio”): a motorhome may stand and overnight wherever parking is allowed, as long as it touches the ground only with its wheels. Chairs, tables, awning, stabilisers, wedges and drained grey water are prohibited; municipal ordinances and signs (“divieto di sosta camper”) take precedence.
- In the Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, Campigna National Park the park authority’s rules apply: no camping outside campsites, no open fires; core zones only with permission. In the car parks at Camaldoli and La Verna overnighting is not provided for.
- Protected areas (national parks, reserves, Natura 2000 zones) have their own rules set by their authorities; do not camp on spec outside designated sites, but ask the park or municipality beforehand.
- Useful apps: park4night, CamperOnline (Italian, with up-to-date user reports) and Campercontact; check the current status of aree di sosta beforehand, as many small sites change fees and opening times.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Fresh water and waste disposal is called “camper service” or “carico e scarico”. Most aree attrezzate have a station, often with a token or coins; campsites usually let passing travellers dispose of waste for a fee.
- Empty grey water and the cassette only at the station; wild dumping is a main reason for new motorhome bans in municipalities.
- Tap water in Italy is usually drinkable; look for “acqua potabile”; in high summer there can be local restrictions – fill the tank before mountain and coastal stages.
- Gas: German exchange cylinders are not exchanged in Italy. Refillable cylinders and gas tanks are filled at GPL filling stations with the Italian adapter; often only the staff do the filling. Arrive with two full cylinders.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: motorhomes up to 3.5 t 90 km/h outside built-up areas, 110 km/h on expressways, 130 km/h on motorways; over 3.5 t 80 km/h outside built-up areas and 100 km/h on motorways. Caravan combinations: 70 km/h outside built-up areas, 80 km/h on motorways. Dipped headlights are required outside built-up areas even in daytime.
- ZTL exist in Poppi, Bibbiena, Sansepolcro and Anghiari; cameras also record foreign number plates. Access to La Verna and Camaldoli is via narrow mountain roads.
- Tolls: the SS3bis (E45) and the SR71 are toll-free; larger toll sections lie outside the route. In winter pass roads in the Casentino can be closed – check closures beforehand.
- If a load projects beyond the rear, for example bikes on a rear carrier, the red-and-white warning panel (50 × 50 cm) is compulsory. Alcohol limit 0.5, for novice and professional drivers 0.0; mobile phone while driving only with a hands-free kit. Between 15 November and 15 April winter equipment (snow chains or winter tyres) may be required on many routes – follow the signs.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Hiking boots with tread for Camaldoli and La Verna: the beech-forest paths are rooty and slippery after rain.
- Binoculars for stags, wild boar and birds of prey in the Foreste Casentinesi.
- Warm jacket: at 1,000 m the evenings are cool even in summer.
- Snow-chain equipment from late autumn for mountain roads.
- Clothing for monastery visits: covered shoulders and knees.
- Booked tickets for museums in Sansepolcro and Monterchi in high season.

_As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Stia** (Italy)
2. **Camaldoli** (Italy)
3. **Poppi** (Italy)
4. **Bibbiena** (Italy)
5. **La Verna** (Italy)
6. **Caprese Michelangelo** (Italy)
7. **Sansepolcro** (Italy)
8. **Monterchi** (Italy)
9. **Anghiari** (Italy)

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. Hot in July. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Practical notes for the road

- **Italy: Motorway tolls.** Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.

## FAQs

**How long is Hermits, Piero and forests – by motorhome through the Casentino and Valtiberina from Stia to Anghiari?**
7-day road trip of about 88 km (55 mi) with 9 stops, from Stia to Anghiari. About 1 h 13 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Hermits, Piero and forests – by motorhome through the Casentino and Valtiberina from Stia to Anghiari?**
We suggest 7 days: about 1 h 13 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Hermits, Piero and forests – by motorhome through the Casentino and Valtiberina from Stia to Anghiari start and end?**
It starts in Stia and ends in Anghiari.

**Which countries does Hermits, Piero and forests – by motorhome through the Casentino and Valtiberina from Stia to Anghiari pass through?**
Italy.

**Where can you camp along Hermits, Piero and forests – by motorhome through the Casentino and Valtiberina from Stia to Anghiari?**
OpenStreetMap lists 42 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Falterona, La Pineta and Camping Camaldoli.

**When is the best time for Hermits, Piero and forests – by motorhome through the Casentino and Valtiberina from Stia to Anghiari?**
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)