Via di Francesco

In short: Via di Francesco: from La Verna to Assisi and Rome. Length: around 500 km, duration: about 4 weeks. Best time: April to June, September and October.

Overview

The Way of St Francis follows the life of St Francis of Assisi through central Italy. It starts at the monastery of La Verna in Tuscany, where Francis is said to have received the stigmata, and runs via Gubbio to Assisi. From there it continues via Spoleto and the Rieti valley to Rome.

The route divides well into two parts: around 200 kilometres from La Verna to Assisi, or the longer stretch from Assisi to Rome. It is hilly, and many paths run through woods and olive groves.

In Assisi, pilgrims with a stamped pilgrim passport can receive a certificate of their own. Monasteries often take in guests for a donation, which suits the simplicity Francis stood for.

Main stops: Florence or La Verna, Gubbio, Assisi, Spoleto, Rieti, Rome.

In the footsteps of St Francis

The route links places from the life of Francis of Assisi. The northern part runs from Tuscany via the monastery of La Verna and Gubbio to Assisi. The southern part continues through Umbria and the Rieti valley to Rome.

Umbria is hillier than the pictures suggest. Many days have several hundred metres of climbing, but the stages often end in small hill towns with monasteries.

Staying in monasteries

Besides guesthouses, many monasteries and parishes take in pilgrims, some for a donation. Call ahead, as places are limited. In Assisi you can get a certificate with your pilgrim passport.

Planning your stages

How long you need depends on your daily distance. The table works this out for 500 kilometres, with one rest day a week.

Who is this route for?

With some hiking experience this route is very manageable. Expect climbs and keep your days from getting too long.

What does the route cost?

With an albergue or simple guesthouse and one hot meal, 60 to 80 euros a day is usually enough. Over about 29 days that comes to roughly 1,750 to 2,300 euros, plus travel and gear. This is a guide figure.

You can find more routes under Pilgrimage routes in Europe, Pilgrimage in Italy, sorted by religion under Christian pilgrimage routes.