What You Need to Know: Useful Information
The Via di Francesco is a historical and spiritual hiking trail that traces the path of St. Francis of Assisi. It spans about 300 kilometers, linking key locations in the saint's life and passing through remarkable natural and cultural landscapes in Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio. The route can be traveled on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback, offering different experiences depending on your preferences. The journey begins at La Verna, where St. Francis received the stigmata, and passes through Pieve Santo Stefano, Sansepolcro, Città di Castello, Gubbio, Perugia, and Bastia Umbra, before ending in Assisi, his birthplace. Each stage provides a blend of natural beauty, historic sites, and places of worship, enriching the journey with emotions and reflections. The Via di Francesco is unique for its spiritual importance and the diverse landscapes it traverses, including mountains, rolling hills, woods, medieval villages, and farmland, allowing you to enjoy an immersive experience in Italian nature and history.
Getting There
By train
Because this long-distance trail spans across three separate regions, you can easily access the primary northern starting point by taking a train to Arezzo railway station. From Arezzo, local regional trains or connecting transport lines will bring you right up into the hills of Chiusi della Verna to begin the trail.
By car
Driving allows you to reach specific trailheads along the 300-kilometer path at your own pace. To reach the starting sanctuary, take the A1 highway and exit at Arezzo, then follow the scenic SR71 and SP208 roads directly up the mountain to the dedicated visitor parking lots at La Verna.
By bus
For regional transit travelers, local Autolinee Toscane and Busitalia Umbria buses run scheduled routes connecting major urban rail hubs like Arezzo, Perugia, and Foligno directly to the smaller pilgrimage checkpoints like Sansepolcro, Città di Castello, Gubbio, and Assisi.
Below you'll find the location marked on Google Maps. Click on it to open the location directly on your device's maps.
Useful contacts
- Ufficio Informazioni Centro Servizi della Via di Francesco (Official Trail Info Hub): +39 075 573 6458 | [email protected]
- Ufficio del Turismo del Comune di Assisi (Assisi Tourism Office): +39 075 8138680 | [email protected]
What to Bring & Pro Tips
- Because this journey demands attention and respect, it is critical to plan your journey based on your abilities and time, ensuring you always find out about the conditions of the route and the refreshment points or accommodation available ahead of each stage.
- For this route, it is important to be well-equipped: wear sturdy, comfortable hiking boots, pack layered technical clothing for varying weather, and carry a lightweight backpack with essentials like water, energy snacks, and a first aid kit.
- Key tips are to start in good physical shape to tackle the fluctuating mountain and hill terrain, and to always respect the environment.
- Remember to obtain an official Pilgrim’s Credential (Credenziale) before leaving La Verna so you can collect unique stamps at each church and monastery along the path.
The “Hidden Gem”:
Once you have hiked through the sacred woods of the primary trail, leave the main tracks behind near Sansepolcro to explore the mystical, secluded Eremo di Montecasale (Hermitage of Montecasale).
Instead of exploring large, crowded urban basilicas, this 13th-century stone hermitage is a masterpiece of absolute silence and rustic simplicity. Nestled high on a wooded mountain ridge, this sacred site was gifted to St. Francis in 1213 and remains a profound place of spirituality where he famously converted three local robbers. Walking through its tiny, sun-dappled stone cloister, viewing the rough wooden beds utilized by the early friars, and looking out over the wild, silent valley below offers a wonderfully profound, intimate break from the longer walking stages. It rewards dedicated hikers with a true glimpse into the authentic, quiet heart of early Franciscan monastic life.
