Beginner’s Guide to the Way of St. Francis (Via di Francesco)

Beginner’s Guide to the Way of St. Francis (Via di Francesco)

The Way of St Francis in Italy, also known as the Via di Francesco or the Cammino di Francesco, links cherished sites that bear witness to the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi from Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio. Beginning at the Sanctuary of La Verna, the Way of St. Francis continues nearly 200 km to the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi, the final resting place of Italy’s Patron Saint.

From Assisi, pilgrims may continue walking in the footsteps of St. Francis, with the waymarked route towards Rome extending 300-plus kilometers further to Vatican City.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

The Patron Saint of Italy, St. Francis is one of the most venerated figures in Christendom. Beloved worldwide for his piety and his embracement of poverty, St. Francis surrendered his family’s wealth, began pilgrimage, undertook acts of servitude, and embarked on a ministry based upon sacrifice, charity, and devotion to the Gospels. St. Francis extended his ministry to animals, preaching to birds and praying for the needs of all of God’s creations.

PILGRIM PASSPORT AND TESTIMONIUM

A pilgrim passport – called the Credential – is available for pilgrims marking their route to Assisi. It is available by advance request (3 weeks for Italians, 2+ months for those outside Italy). A donation is suggested to cover the cost of postage.

Provided pilgrims walk at least 75km to arrive in Assisi, a Testimonium is

 

 

PILGRIM ROUTES TO ASSISI

* Click to view timely updates on the pilgrimage routes *

The Northern Way – 189.2 km

The traditional route of pilgrimage to Assisi, the Northern Way begins at the Sanctuary of La Verna, the Way of St. Francis continues nearly 200 km to the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi, the final resting place of Italy’s Patron Saint. Along the way, the path crosses the National Park of the Casentinesi Forests, the upper Tiber Valley in Umbria, Gubbio (the site of St. Francis’ first pilgrims), and Valfabbrica before arriving in Assisi. While broken into eight official stages, the walk may be broken into shorter sections to accommodate all walkers and provide additional time to enjoy the way.

STAGES: 8+

DIFFICULTY: EASY-MODERATE

DOWNLOAD Download GPS/GPX for the Way of St. Francis (ZIP)

STAGEDESCRIPTIONDISTANCE
1La Verna to Pieve Santo Stefano14.9 km
2*Pieve Santo Stefano to Sansepolcro35.2 km*
3Sansepolcro to Citerna12.2 km
4Citerna to Città di Castello19.9 km
5*Città di Castello to Pietralunga29.5 km*
6*Pietralunga to Gubbio26.1 km*
7*Gubbio to Valfabbrica38.0 km*
8Valfabbrica to Assisi13.5 km

* Indicates suggestion to reduce stage length

The Southern Way – 189.2 km

The Southern Way may be walked in either direction: as a continuation of the Northern Way onwards to Rome, or – if one chooses – as a pilgrimage from Rome along the Via di Roma. The route covers at least 14 walked stages spanning 250km through the towns of Poreta, Spoleto, Arrone, Rieti, and Monte Sacro. Pilgrims may wish to consider reviewing particularly challenging stages (marked below) and may be able to combine and/or separate specific stages to better suit their walking.

STAGES: 14+

DIFFICULTY: MODERATE

DOWNLOAD Download GPS/GPX for the Way of St. Francis (ZIP)

STAGEDESCRIPTIONDISTANCE
1Rome to Monte Sacro15.2 km
2Monte Sacro to Monterotondo18.0 km
3*Monterotondo to Ponticelli di Scandriglia28.8km*
4**Ponticelli to Scandriglia in Poggio San Lorenzo20.4 km**
5Poggio San Lorenzo to Rieti21.8 km
6ARieti to Greccio23.4 km
6BGreccio to Terni21.9 km
6CTerni to Arrone15.6 km
9Arrone to Ceselli14.6 km
10**Ceselli to Spoleto16.2 km**
11Spoleto to Poreta15.6 km
12Poreta to Trevi12.1 km
13Trevi to Foligno12.4 km
14Foligno to Assisi19.4 km

* Indicates suggestion to reduce stage length

** Indicates challenging stage