Way of Francis<\/a> is a 450-km walking route in the green heart of Italy, crossing Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio. The route winds through the Casentino Forests National Park, the Alpe della Luna nature reserve, the Upper Tiber Valley and the Santa Reatina Valley, with alternative options for Perugia and Terni.<\/p>\nThe guidebook offers information updated to January 2024 and includes everything you need for the journey: detailed maps, elevation elevations, elevation changes, suggestions on where to stay overnight, accurate route descriptions, places to visit, and a selection of texts from Franciscan sources.<\/p>\n","img":{"ID":66006,"id":66006,"title":"La-via-di-Francesco-3ed_400px","filename":"La-via-di-Francesco-3ed_400px.webp","filesize":41338,"url":"https:\/\/media-camminiditalia.nbg1.your-objectstorage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/La-via-di-Francesco-3ed_400px.webp","link":"https:\/\/camminiditalia.org\/en\/cammini\/via-di-francesco\/la-via-di-francesco-3ed_400px\/","alt":"The way of Francis","author":"2","description":"","caption":"","name":"la-via-di-francesco-3ed_400px","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":68024,"date":"2025-01-07 15:36:28","modified":"2025-06-25 09:37:40","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/webp","type":"image","subtype":"webp","icon":"https:\/\/camminiditalia.org\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":400,"height":724,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/media-camminiditalia.nbg1.your-objectstorage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/La-via-di-Francesco-3ed_400px-150x150.webp","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/media-camminiditalia.nbg1.your-objectstorage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/La-via-di-Francesco-3ed_400px-166x300.webp","medium-width":166,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/media-camminiditalia.nbg1.your-objectstorage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/La-via-di-Francesco-3ed_400px.webp","medium_large-width":400,"medium_large-height":724,"large":"https:\/\/media-camminiditalia.nbg1.your-objectstorage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/La-via-di-Francesco-3ed_400px.webp","large-width":400,"large-height":724,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/media-camminiditalia.nbg1.your-objectstorage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/La-via-di-Francesco-3ed_400px.webp","1536x1536-width":400,"1536x1536-height":724,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/media-camminiditalia.nbg1.your-objectstorage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/La-via-di-Francesco-3ed_400px.webp","2048x2048-width":400,"2048x2048-height":724,"tc_all_events_image":"https:\/\/media-camminiditalia.nbg1.your-objectstorage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/La-via-di-Francesco-3ed_400px-400x680.webp","tc_all_events_image-width":400,"tc_all_events_image-height":680,"woocommerce_thumbnail":"https:\/\/media-camminiditalia.nbg1.your-objectstorage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/La-via-di-Francesco-3ed_400px-300x300.webp","woocommerce_thumbnail-width":300,"woocommerce_thumbnail-height":300,"woocommerce_single":"https:\/\/media-camminiditalia.nbg1.your-objectstorage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/La-via-di-Francesco-3ed_400px.webp","woocommerce_single-width":400,"woocommerce_single-height":724,"woocommerce_gallery_thumbnail":"https:\/\/media-camminiditalia.nbg1.your-objectstorage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/La-via-di-Francesco-3ed_400px-100x100.webp","woocommerce_gallery_thumbnail-width":100,"woocommerce_gallery_thumbnail-height":100}},"linkBtn":{"title":"","url":"https:\/\/camminiditalia.shop\/product\/guida-alla-via-di-francesco\/","target":""},"textBtn":"BUY NOW!"},"maps":{"map":"","url":""},"modal":{"modals":[{"status":false,"title":"HISTORY","text":"
The Via di Francesco is an itinerary on foot, by bicycle and on horseback that links together a number of places that bear witness to the life and preaching of the Saint of Assisi; a pilgrimage path, which intends to reintroduce the Franciscan experience in the lands that the Poverello trod on his itineraries.<\/p>\n
It is precisely in its adherence to the story of Francis that the Way finds its plausibility and charm: the landscapes on which the pilgrim’s eye rests are the same ones that gladdened Francis’ simple heart; the stage locations preserve the memory of his words and deeds; the people one meets along the way are related to him.<\/p>\n"},{"status":false,"title":"SIGNAGE","text":"
Yes – (Yellow tau and yellow\/blue signals)<\/p>\n"},{"status":false,"title":"CAPS","text":"
NORTHWAY.<\/strong><\/h2>\nROUTE 01: La Verna – Pieve Santo Stefano<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> La Verna (Arezzo)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Arrival:<\/strong> Pieve Santo Stefano (Arezzo)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Distance:<\/strong> 14.9 km<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Height difference:<\/strong> +475 m\/-1,180 m<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe first leg of the Via di Francesco (Via del Nord), starts from the Sanctuary of La Verna and ends in Pieve Santo Stefano through the Casentino Park Forests<\/p>\n
After visiting the sites of St. Francis at La Verna, the first stage of the journey into the nature sung by St. Francis begins.<\/p>\n
Challenging gradients in the first 6 km, but the remaining part of the route is all downhill. It brings the pilgrim closer to the beauty of nature sung about by Francis.<\/p>\n
ROUTE 02: Pieve Santo Stefano – Sansepolcro<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> Pieve Santo Stefano (Arezzo)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Arrival:<\/strong> Sansepolcro (Arezzo)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Distance:<\/strong> 35.17 km<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Height difference:<\/strong> +1730 m\/-1,830 m<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFrom Pieve Santo Stefano to Sansepolcro, through the Alpe della Luna Nature Reserve, stopping at the Franciscan Hermitage of Montecasale.<\/p>\n
Tough stage, but the natural landscapes and Franciscan Hermitages will become among the most beautiful memories of the walk.<\/p>\n
The length of the stage can be shortened by choosing to stop at one of the intermediate stages. The challenging elevation changes make the pace slow, but perhaps they are a suitable way to get to know the “perfect gladness” of St. Francis.<\/p>\n
ROUTE 03: Sansepolcro – Citerna<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> Sansepolcro (Arezzo)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Arrival:<\/strong> Citerna<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Distance:<\/strong> 12.17 km<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Height difference:<\/strong> +300 m\/-175 m<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
From Tuscany you enter Umbria. From Sansepolcro to Citerna, the landscape softens and the Umbrian countryside begins.<\/p>\n
Short and uneventful stage between Tuscany and Umbria. One can take advantage of the day for a visit to Sansepolcro or Citerna, stops historically linked to the pilgrimage routes, and then reach in less than four hours the town of Citerna, from where the journey begins in the land of St. Francis: Umbria.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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ROUTE 04: Citerna – Citt\u00e0 di Castello<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> Citerna<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Arrival:<\/strong> Citt\u00e0 di Castello<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Distance:<\/strong> 19.9 km<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Height difference:<\/strong> +820 m\/-1000 m<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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From Citerna to Citt\u00e0 di Castello, among the hills of the Upper Tiber Valley.<\/p>\n
The walk of about 20 km has a pleasant course. From the rugged Apennine landscape of the previous stages, we move on to the gentler landscape of the Upper Tiber valley. The climbs are not strenuous and you walk among fields and small villages.<\/p>\n
ROUTE 05: Citt\u00e0 di Castello – Pietralunga<\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> Citt\u00e0 di Castello<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Arrival:<\/strong> Pietralunga<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Distance:<\/strong> 29.5 km<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Height difference:<\/strong> +985 m\/-710 m<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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From Citt\u00e0 di Castello to Pietralunga, you ascend and descend in the silence of the woods with the possibility of reducing the route, choosing intermediate stops.
\nThe stage of about 31 km can be reduced according to your needs, and taking advantage of the intermediate stops.<\/p>\n
You always walk in nature, ascending and descending among the hills, along the way one of the places in the heart of the Via: Pieve de Saddi.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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ROUTE 06: Pietralunga – Gubbio<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> Pietralunga<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Arrival:<\/strong> Gubbio<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Distance:<\/strong> 26.14 km<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Height difference:<\/strong> +790 m\/-865 m<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
From Pietralunga to Gubbio, where Francis was welcomed as a pilgrim at the beginning of his new life journey.<\/p>\n
A stage of about 26 km on back roads and mule tracks. The climbs and descents are tackled quietly. The first section in the silence of the mountain valleys, while the second part is all on the plains until Gubbio. The path is dotted with hermitages, abbeys and small villages.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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ROUTE 07: Gubbio – Valfabbrica<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> Gubbio<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Arrival:<\/strong> Valfabbrica<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Distance:<\/strong> 38 km<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Height difference:<\/strong> +1210 m\/-1410 m<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
From Gubbio to Valfabbrica through the woods of St. Francis. Assisi is getting closer and closer.<\/div>\n
The stage retraces, in reverse, one of St. Francis’ most important journeys: once he had made the prophetic gesture of stripping himself of all property before the bishop of Assisi, he headed for Gubbio, where he was welcomed as a pilgrim by his friend Spadalonga. Numerous welcomes to break the distance of the journey.<\/div>\n
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ROUTE 08: Valfabbrica – Assisi<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> Valfabbrica<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Arrival:<\/strong> Assisi<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Distance:<\/strong> 13.46 km<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Height difference:<\/strong> +660 m\/-590 m<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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From Valfabbrica to Assisi: the big day has arrived. The journey ends in front of the Tomb of St. Francis in the Basilica dedicated to him.<\/p>\n
After the long days of walking, amid fatigue and joy, uphill and downhill, the journey to Assisi in the footsteps of St. Francis is coming to an end.<\/p>\n
The stage requires a final effort to cope with the gradients.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
ROUTE 08 Variant to: Valfabbrica – Perugia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> Valfabbrica<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Arrival:<\/strong> Perugia<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Distance:<\/strong> 29.20 km<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Height difference:<\/strong> +1100 m\/-830 m<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
From Valfabbrica to Perugia, a variation to travel to one of the most beautiful cities of art, where Francis was held prisoner.<\/p>\n
The stop is an interesting variation to visit the city of Perugia, where St. Francis’ existential change began, during the year of his imprisonment.<\/p>\n
The city today offers many events, museums and monuments to visit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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ROUTE 08 Variant b: Perugia – Assisi<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> Perugia<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Arrival:<\/strong> Assisi<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Distance:<\/strong> 25.37 km<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Height difference:<\/strong> +400 m\/-510 m<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
From Perugia to Assisi, the “Perfect Letizia” stage and last part of the walk.<\/p>\n
The last 25 km to reach first Santa Maria degli Angeli, the site of the first Franciscan community, and then climb to Assisi to end the walk at the Tomb of St. Francis inside the Basilica of St. Francis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
SOUTH WAY.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
ROUTE 01: St. Peter’s (Rome) – Montesacro (Rome)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> Saint Peter’s (Rome)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Arrival:<\/strong> Montesacro (Rome)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Distance:<\/strong> 15.21 km<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Height difference:<\/strong> +275 m\/-265 m<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
From the Eternal City we set off to Monte Sacro.
\nFrom St. Peter’s Basilica to the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.<\/p>\n
The walk out of the Eternal City to Assisi follows a route through parks and bike paths along the Tiber and Aniene rivers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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ROUTE 02: St. Peter’s (Rome) – Montesacro (Rome)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> Saint Peter’s (Rome)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Arrival:<\/strong> Montesacro (Rome)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Distance:<\/strong> 18.05 km<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Height difference:<\/strong> +480m\/-370m<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
From Monte Sacro to Monterotondo. Departure to the hills surrounding Rome. Stage without major elevation gain.<\/p>\n
Less than 20 km to head toward the Latium Sabina. In the first part the walk leaves behind the noise and traffic of the big city. It continues through meadows and views of the city from the Marcigliana Reserve.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
ROUTE 03: Monterotondo – Ponticelli di Scandriglia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> Monterotondo<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Arrival:<\/strong> Ponticelli di Scandriglia<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Distance:<\/strong> 18.05 km<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Height difference:<\/strong> +940m\/-750m<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFrom Monterotondo to Ponticelli di Scandriglia.
\nFrom the city you enter the Lazio countryside of Alta Sabina.<\/p>\n
Long stage of about 30 km, with ascents and descents along Sabina hills and through fields.
\nAsphalt sections alternate with dirt road sections. Possibility of reducing the length with intermediate stages.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
TAPP 03 variant A:detour to Farfa<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> Acquaviva di Nerola<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Arrival:<\/strong> Ponticelli di Scandriglia<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Distance:<\/strong> 26.25 km<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Height difference:<\/strong> +1100m\/-820m<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFrom Acquaviva di Nerola to Ponticelli di Scandriglia via Farfa Abbey.<\/p>\n
The long variant allows discovery and a stop at the beautiful Benedictine Abbey of Farfa.<\/p>\n
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ROUTE 04: Ponticelli di Scandriglia – Poggio San Lorenzo<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> Ponticelli of Scandriglia<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Arrival:<\/strong> Poggio San Lorenzo<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Distance:<\/strong> 20.41 km<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Height difference:<\/strong> +940m\/-750m<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
From Ponticelli di Scandriglia to Poggio San Lorenzo, we walk through villages, fields and olive groves.<\/p>\n
Challenging stage in terms of length and elevation gain, offering beautiful rural landscapes of fields and orchards. Along the way views of the surrounding mountains.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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ROUTE 05: Poggio San Lorenzo – Rieti.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Departure:<\/strong> Poggio San Lorenzo<\/div>\n<\/div>\n