St. Francis' Way
Author’s recommendation
Tips and hints
A hiking book, a map and / or GPS data are recommended as the path is not consistently signposted.The stages described are only suggestions. The sections can be lengthened or shortened as you wish.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
1st stage: Sant'Ellero - Consuma
From Sant'Ellero we head west towards the mountains of the Appennines. Consuma, the destination of the first stage, is located on the pass of the same name. The area was owned by a noble family for about 500 years until it fell to Florence in 1440.
2nd stage: Consuma - Stia
On this stage we deal with constant ups and downs and reach the medieval town of Stia on the slopes of Monte Falterone. The place was known for wool spinning until the 19th century. There is still the will for the local community to go back on its cloth-making tradition. Dilapidated buildings are being restored, typical fabrics are being produced again and a small museum in the main building of the factory is a reminder of the old days.
3rd stage: Stia - Camaldoli
We continue through the Foresta Cesentinese National Park to Camaldoli. The place consists of a monastery, two hostels, the information center of the national park administration and a campsite. A hermitage is also not far away. Francis is said to have stayed in the monastery for over a month.
4th stage: Camaldoli - Badia Prataglia
On this stage we walk along the border between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. It goes through an old mountain forest to the picturesque Badia Prataglia in the heart of the Casentino. The most famous mountain health resort in the province of Arezzo awaits the pilgrims with neat houses in alpine style and a Romanesque church. This is the remnant of a Benedictine monastery from the 10th century.
5th stage: Badia Prataglia - Chiusi della Verna
The destination is on the southern edge of the national park and is one of the spiritual highlights of our long-distance hike. In a cave in the table mountain Monte Penna, Francis is said to have received the stigmata in 1224. He had lived and worked there since 1214. Today the Franciscan monastery of La Verna is a popular pilgrimage site. For the oldest church in the monastery complex, the Santa Maria degli Angeli, Francis is said to have laid the foundation stone in 1216 and relics of the saint are kept in the chapel.
6th stage: Chiusi della Verna - Pieve Santo Stefano
From the densely wooded mountain ranges of the Appennines we now descend into the valley of the Tiber. We manage challenging differences in altitude and enjoy the nature that Francis sung about. The route leads exclusively through forests and we pass small towns along the way.
7th stage: Pieve Santo Stefano - Sansepolcro
We follow the course of the Tiber, cross the Monte Fungaia and reach the Lago di Montedoglio at its foot. Through the nature reserve Alpe della Luna we reach the hermitage Eremo di Montecasale on our exhausting way to the “Holy Sepulcher”, where Francis persuaded three robbers to turn back. The destination itself is said to have been founded around 1000 a. d. by two pilgrims on their way back from the Holy Land. City palaces and cathedral still bear witness to the great importance of Sansepolcro on the way to Rome.
8th stage: Sansepolcro - Lama
We hike on a ridge on the border between Tuscany and Umbria and finally come back down into the Tiber Valley. The Montecasale monastery is worth seeing.
9th stage: Lama - Sasso
On this stage we cross the gentle landscape of the Tiber Valley. In Città di Castello, the cathedral with its elegant facade awaits us. Churches such as San Domenico and San Francesco or the magnificent Palazzi are also impressive and bear witness to the city's eventful history.
10th stage: Sasso - Pietralunga
In constant ups and downs we enjoy the silence of the woods. On the way we pass Pieve dei Saddi, the center of the first Christianization of the High Tiber Valley and for centuries also the religious center of the mountain region. The provincial town of Pietralunga has an intact city wall and a pentagonal Lombard tower from the 8th century.
11th stage: Pietralunga - Gubbio
We cover this stage mainly on back roads and donkey trails. The first section leads through quiet mountain valleys and the second through the plain. On the way we pass monasteries, small towns and hermitages. Through forests and across wide meadows we reach Gubbio with its worth seeing priors palace and the cathedral from the 13th century. The city is also home to the second largest Roman theater in the world.
12th stage: Gubbio - Mengara
Over the mountain range of the Appennines we go south. The idyllic hilly landscape offers plenty of opportunities to take a leisurely rest and enjoy nature. Francis himself took this route in the opposite direction from Valfabricca to Gubbio.
13th stage: Mengara - Valfabbrica
Along the way we pass some pretty villages. On this stage, too, we are still on the trail of Francis. The place Valfabbrica developed around the monastery of Santa Maria. Remains of a medieval fortification, two towers and a Romanesque church from the 14th century can still be visited today.
14th stage: Valfabbrica - Assisi
The Appennine breaks off in front of us, the Topino valley opens up and Assisi stretches out at the foot of Monte Subasio. The view of the city with the Holy Convent and the St. Francis Basilica is one of the most sublime moments of our hike. In the place of birth and death of the saint, there are remains of Roman architecture, medieval structures and of course numerous references to Francis of Assisi. The mighty double church of San Francesco from the 13th century is one of the seven highest-ranking Catholic churches. Francis' bones have been buried here since 1230. The mother house of all Franciscan monasteries, the Sacro Convento, is attached to the church. Assisi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the remains of St. Clare in the Church of Santa Chiara. A detour to the newer district of Santa Maria degli Angeli is worthwhile. This was built around the church of the same name, which was the seventh largest church building in the world and was built around the small Portiuncula chapel between 1569 and 1679. Francis died there in 1226.
15th stage: Assisi - Spello
The path leads us through olive trees and the unspoiled nature of the forests of Monte Subasio. We walk along the slope on little-traveled back roads and enjoy a wonderful view of the Assisi Valley. Those who prefer to sweat a little more can also choose the route over Monte Subasio.
16th stage: Spello - Campello sul Clitunno
In constantly changing ups and downs, we hike on this stage into the hills of Foligno and the Valle Spoletana. The olive groves everywhere in Umbria, and open fields offer a wide view. Small villages and hermitages lead the way.
17th stage: Campello sul Clitunno - Spoleto
Through the scenic Valle Spoletana we reach one of the most beautiful cities in Umbria: Spoleto. The Church of San Salvatore is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and some important memorials to St. Francis can be found in the city.
18th stage: Spoleto - Ferentillo
We go uphill towards the Nera Valley, pass the Hermitage of Monteluco and cross the Sacred Forest. The first section of the stage is one of the most demanding of the entire tour, but the wonderful nature makes up for the effort. From the Valle Spoletana we go into the Valnerina, until Ceselli, and we hike exclusively through nature and enjoy the silence of the Bosco Sacro on the Monteluco. There are numerous Franciscan hermitages along the way and we come to the bank of the Nera River and follow its course to Ferentillo.
19th stage: Ferentillo - Piediluco
On this stage we walk along the Umbrian rivers. Along the Nera we reach the spectacular Marmore waterfall and hike uphill to the Velino river, which we follow to our destination Piediluco at the lake of the same name.
20th stage: Piediluco - Poggio Bustone
This stage is the first section in the Lazio region. First we go along the lakeshore, but soon we climb up to Labro. It goes up through several villages and meadows. We reach the Francis Beech and continue to Poggio Bustone.
21st stage: Poggio Bustone - Rieti
We hike up and down again through untouched nature and enjoy wonderful views of the green Rieti valley. Through the forest and past the Santa Maria della Foresta monastery, we reach Rieti, which is picturesquely situated on the Velino, with the beautiful Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral.
22nd stage: Rieti - Greccio
The monastery of Greccio is spectacularly built into the rock. Here Francis had the nativity scene re-enacted by people and animals.
23rd stage: Greccio - Stroncone
At the end of the day's stage we reach the historic town center of Stroncone. The medieval appearance is determined by narrow, winding streets, stone portals and a city wall. Worth seeing are the Palazzo Comunale, the collegiate church of San Michele Arcangelo - the oldest church in the city - and the Franciscan nunnery Bambin Gesù. Outside the city walls is the monastery of San Francesco, which Francis is said to have founded himself in 1213. It has one of the richest Franciscan collections in Umbria.
24th stage: Stroncone - Calvi dell'Umbria
Halfway between Stroncone and Calvi dell'Umbria is the Lo Speco monastery, the last sanctuary of Franciscan origin. In a nearby crevice, Francis is said to have prayed frequently. The destination Calvi dell'Umbria is known for its Christmas cribs. In the medieval streets lies the Chiesa di San Francesco from the 13th century, which, according to tradition, was built at the request from the saint who came through the city in 1213.
25th stage: Calvi dell'Umbria - Selci
On the way from Calvi dell'Umbria to Selci we cross the Low Sabina, a hilly country above the valley of the Tiber.
26th stage: Selci - Poggio Mirteto
We hike through the hilly landscape of the Sabine Mountains to Poggio Mirteto. The name of the city with the seat of the Suburbicarian diocese means "hill of myrtle". The place is at the foot of Monte San Cosimo.
27th stage: Poggio Mirteto - Montelibretti
We stay in the Sabine Mountains and soon reach Montelibretti with the Palazzo Barberini.
28th stage: Montelibretti - Monterotondo
We walk through extensive orchards, alternating up and down through the Roman Campagna. We cross the nature reserve Macchia Gattaceca and then a wide arable land with cereal and fodder plants. The cathedral can be visited in Monterotondo.
29th stage: Monterotondo - Rome Monte Sacro
In the first part of the stage we walk through the wonderful landscape of the Roman Campagna before we reach the metropolitan area of the Eternal City. In the distance - with good visibility - the dome of St. Peter's Basilica can already be seen from the nature reserve. The destination is the Angeli Custodi church on Piazza Sempione in the center of Monte Sacro.
Optionally, another stage from Monte Sacro to St. Peter's Basilica in the heart of Rome can be added. And if you are already there, you should also visit the other sights of the city. But we don't forget to rest and relax, because that's what we've earned after about a month of hiking!
Note
Public transport
By train to Sant'ElleroGetting there
A1 to the Incisa exit, continue to Sant’ElleroParking
Parking at the train station of Sant'ElleroCoordinates
Equipment
ID card / passport, foreign health insurance certificate, sturdy shoes for hiking, sun protection, rain protection, food and drinking water supplies, sewing kit, kitchen kit, pocket knife, headlamp / torch, first-aid kit, hand wash, possibly tent, sleeping bag and sleeping matThe backpack should not weigh more than 10 kg for men and 8 kg for women.
Statistics
- 28 Waypoints
- 28 Waypoints
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