The Way of St Francis a pilgrimage trail inspired by the life of St Francis of Assisi

The Way of St Francis

a pilgrimage trail inspired by the life of St Francis of Assisi

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The Way of St Francis or Cammino di Francesco is a pilgrimage trail that makes you discover at the same time treasures of great historical and cultural interest, and the main places of the spiritual life of St. Francis of Assisi. It crosses Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio and brings you walking for long stretches in contact with uncontaminated nature, immersed in green valleys and enchanted woods, touching upon small medieval villages rich in history and visiting some of the major Italian cities of art. The itinerary includes about 290 km from Florence to Assisi, passing through Camaldoli, La Verna and Gubbio: places which were very dear to the Saint. From Florence to La Verna the itinerary follows the connecting routes that the Franciscan monks once used to reach Florence through the Casentino. The route then continues along the ancient road that connected Assisi, main residence place of St. Francis, to the mountain of Verna in Tuscany, which was his destination for his numerous and prolonged heremite periods. This part of the route is quite wild, but rich in panoramic views and spectacular landscapes, many up and down hills and mountains, which can make the journey a bit more tiring compared to the first part of the route. It therefore requires a very good physical condition and familiarity with mountain trails. Along the Tuscan stretch, from Florence to La Verna, the Via di Francesco is marked by yellow signs and white-red markings. From La Verna to Assisi, on the other hand, it is the yellow-blue signs and the yellow markings that accompany the walkers and allow travel in both directions. In any case, it is helpful to have a map or a guide to navigate better along the journey.

Map of The Way of St Francis

Download the map of The Way of St Francis

From Florence to La Verna

The itinerary retraces the connection routes that the Franciscan monks used to maintain with Florence. Starting from Piazza Santa Croce, the route follows the Arno River up to Pontassieve and then enters Casentino through the Passo della Consuma. The path then continues through the charming town of Stia to enter the Casentino Forests, Monte Falterona, and Campigna National Park. The journey reaches the Eremo di Camaldoli, a place beloved by Francis, which houses a cell dedicated to him. The route follows mountain trails and, immersed in the greenery of the forests, reaches the Sanctuary of La Verna. It was on this mountain, gifted to him by Count Orlando Cattani, that a first hermitic community was established with his closest companions. It was there, on September 17, 1224, that Francis received the miracle of the stigmata. The Sanctuary was erected there and over time has become one of the most important places of worship for the Franciscan community.

From La Verna to Assisi

The route follows the ancient road that connected Assisi, the main residence of Francis, to Mount La Verna in Tuscany, a destination for numerous and extended periods of hermitic retreat for the Saint. It passes through hills covered in woods and cultivated valleys, traversing trails, mule tracks, and secondary roads that lead from Casentino to the Tiber Valley, where the towns of Pieve Santo Stefano and Sansepolcro are encountered. It passes by the Eremo del Cerbaiolo and the Eremo di Montecasale, immersed in the forests of the Alpe della Luna Nature Reserve, to enter Umbria and reach Citerna and Città di Castello. Finally, it arrives in Gubbio, considered the second home of Francis, where he took refuge in 1207 after leaving Assisi and renouncing material possessions. It was in this city, in contact with lepers, that he underwent his conversion and began a life dedicated to the poor. The route crosses the verdant territory of the Upper Tiber Valley until reaching Assisi. The journey concludes at the Basilica of San Francesco, which houses the tomb of the Saint.

Where to stay along the Via di Francesco

Along the path of Francis, there is a well-distributed network of accommodation facilities. The constant and admirable work of associations, volunteers, and enthusiasts ensures a network of reasonably priced accommodations at many stopping points. In our guide, we provide a complete list of lodgings, ranging from simple accommodations in convents and parishes to agriturismi and hotels, offering the possibility to choose according to personal preferences and budget. Remember that it is always very important to make reservations a few days in advance, especially for simpler accommodations.

The best time to undertake the Cammino di Francesco

The recommended periods for undertaking the Cammino di Francesco are May/June and September/October. The mild temperatures and sufficiently long days of spring and autumn are excellent for walking. In summer, temperatures can be very hot, especially in the valley sections. Planning to start early in the morning will allow you to complete each stage before the excessive heat. Remember to bring an adequate amount of water with you. In winter, the Cammino di Francesco is considerably more challenging. The backpack is much heavier, there are fewer daylight hours for walking, and especially in mountainous areas, snow, mud, and fog can test the pilgrim's endurance. It is advisable to have good physical preparation and resistance to cold, and it is a good practice to inquire about weather conditions and the state of the trails stage by stage before setting off.

The Pilgrim Credential

The pilgrim credential is the travel document that serves to certify the journey undertaken. It contains the stamps and dates of the places reached on foot or by bicycle during the pilgrimage. The credential entitles you to: * have access to simple accommodations along the route. * receive the "Testimonium Viae Francisci" upon arrival in Assisi as proof of the completed pilgrimage.

The Pilgrim Credential can be obtained by: * personally visiting certain convents and parishes along the Via di Francesco. * downloading this Credential Request Form and sending it via email to any Pilgrim Office in Assisi or Perugia. The credential will be sent by mail, so it should be requested at least 3 weeks before departure.

The Testimonium

The Testimonium (Testimonium Peregrinationis Peractae ad Sanctorum Francisci et Clarae Civitatem) is the religious certificate that attests to the completed pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Francis in Assisi. To receive it, one must have walked at least the last 100 km of the Via di Francesco on foot (or 200 km by bicycle). The stamps and dates on one's Pilgrim Credential are considered proof. Once in Assisi, you must go to the Offices of the Sacro Convento - Basilica Papale di San Francesco d'Assisi, at Piazza Inferiore di San Francesco, 2 - open every day from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM. For information, Tel. +39 075819001 Email: statioperegrinorum@sanfrancescoassisi.org

How to reach La Verna: the starting point of the St. Francis Way

Discover how to reach the Sanctuary of La Verna, one of the most sacred places on the St. Francis Way, nestled in the forests of Casentino. Whether you are departing from Florence or Rome, this detailed guide will help you plan your journey, combining trains, buses, and walking trails to ensure the best start to your pilgrimage.

Departing from Florence

Traveling from Florence to La Verna involves multiple steps, using public transportation and, in some cases, taxi services. More on this below.

From Florence to Arezzo by train

The journey begins with a Trenitalia train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Arezzo. The ride takes about an hour, with ticket prices ranging from €7 to €25. Departures are frequent (approximately every 30 minutes), but it is essential to validate your ticket before boarding to avoid fines.
For updated schedules and fares, visit Trenitalia.

From Arezzo to Bibbiena by train – mid-September to mid-June

Continuing from Arezzo, take a train on the Arezzo-Stia line towards Bibbiena. The journey lasts about an hour, with tickets costing around €15. As with the previous leg, you must validate your ticket before departure. During the summer season (mid-June to mid-September), train connections are significantly reduced. In this case, a private taxi from Arezzo to La Verna (approximately €100) is an alternative. For detailed train schedules, visit Trenitalia.

For additional information about Bibbiena, you can contact the Bibbiena Tourist Office:
- Bibbiena Tourist Office
Website: comunedibibbiena.ar.it/
Email: infopoint@comunedibibbiena.ar.it

From Bibbiena to La Beccia by bus – mid-September to early June

From Bibbiena station, continue your journey by taking bus H11 to La Beccia, the closest stop to La Verna. The ride takes about 40 minutes, with tickets costing between €3 and €6. Tickets can be purchased at a nearby newsstand; if the newsstand is closed, you may ask the driver to pay on board. During the summer period, when bus services are significantly reduced, you can arrange a taxi from Bibbiena directly to La Verna. For more information on schedules, visit Autolinee Toscana.

From La Beccia to the Sanctuary of La Verna by foot

Once in La Beccia, only a short 15-minute walk remains to reach the Sanctuary of La Verna. The walking path follows a paved trail that leads directly to the main entrance of the sanctuary.

Departing from Rome

Travelers departing from Rome and heading to La Verna should prepare for a longer journey with multiple transfers, often requiring an overnight stay in Arezzo or Bibbiena. In this case, contacting the Rome Tourist Information Office can provide useful updates on available transport options.
- Rome Tourist Office
Website: turismoroma.it
Email: info@turismoroma.it

From Rome to Arezzo by train

The journey from Rome begins with a Trenitalia train from Roma Termini to Arezzo. This segment takes approximately 2 hours, with ticket prices ranging from €20 to €50. It is advisable to depart in the morning to ensure greater flexibility for connections. As always, make sure to validate your ticket before boarding.
For more details, visit Trenitalia.

From Arezzo to Rassina by train

From Arezzo, continue on a local train on the Arezzo-Stia line towards Rassina. The journey lasts about 40 minutes, with ticket prices between €8 and €15. As with previous train journeys, remember to validate your ticket before departure.
For more information, check TFT.

From Rassina to Chiusi della Verna by bus

From Rassina, take bus H12 towards Chiusi della Verna. The ride lasts about 30 minutes, costing between €3 and €6. Since departures are limited, it is essential to check schedules in advance. Tickets can be purchased at a newsstand marked with a large blue "T" symbol or directly from the driver if the newsstand is closed. For more information on schedules, visit Autolinee Toscana.

From Chiusi della Verna to the Sanctuary of La Verna by foot

The final stage involves a 30-minute walk from Chiusi della Verna. The trail follows an ancient paved road, once the only access route to the sanctuary, passing by the Chapel of the Birds – a historical site linked to St. Francis – before reaching the Sanctuary of La Verna. This walking route allows you to fully appreciate the beauty of the landscape and the spiritual atmosphere of the area.

Useful Transport Links

Plan your route with the The Way of St Francis App

With our guides you will be able to personalize duration and difficulty of the routes based on your own wishes and walking pace. In a few clicks you can create your personalized hiking guides. Choose your starting point, your arrival point and, if you wish, even a middle point where to take a break.

Download or print the PDF guide of The Way of St Francis

The Forwalk paper guide is an A5 format mini-book with all the information on your chosen paths, the detailed maps, the list of hotels and much more. It is very easy to consult and to carry along during your trip. This guide is completely personalized to your needs and made available to you digitally (Acrobat Reader PDF file), to be accessed through smartphones and tablets or printed by you. You can also order it already printed in color on glossy paper, and delivered to you as a finely bound book.

Download the gpx routes map of The Way of St Francis

GPX tracks are maps that you can download on GPS device to take with you on your walk. Our GPX tracks include routes with details of places such as shops, restaurants, lodgings, drinking fountains and springs.

Our GPX tracks are tested on the following devices : Garmin ETREX 22x, Garmin eTrex Touch 35, Garmin Oregon 700, Garmin GPS MAP 66