Wonderful walk in the Franciscan lands
TOUR DETAILS
From the forested Apennine ridges where the hermitage of La Verna is perched, we will follow the footpaths of Francis through the mountains of the Upper Tiber Valley visiting medieval and renaissance towns such as Anghiari (the town of the “Battle of Anghiari”) and Sansepolcro (birthplace of Piero della Francesca), the most important renaissance painter where you can still admire the famous Resurrection of the Christ. Then by following the Tiber river path you will enter Umbria and get to Città di Castello with its sand stone palazzi and quiet narrow alleys, then moving east towards the hills next to the Appenine mountains where the parish of Pieve de’Saddi is and the hamlet of Pietralunga. The next day you will get to one of the most remarkable medieval towns of Italy; Gubbio cradle of the ancient Umbrian population (pre-roman civilization) all built in white limestone then the Franciscan Peace Path will take you to Valfabbrica following the Chiascio river Valley and then finally Assisi entering from the pilgrims’ gate (Porta San Giacomo) and getting to the Upper and Lower Basilica.
| Duration | 7 Days/6 Nights | |
| Season | March-October | |
| Area | Tuscany-Umbria | |
| The Tour starts in
The Tour ends in |
La Verna (AR)
Città di Castello (PG) |
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| Tour Type | Walking tour | |
| Navigation | GPX routes | |
| Ready for Rental
Regions Visited |
GPS units ( batteries not included), walking poles
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| Distance Traveled
Terrain |
15-27 km/day, daily distance and elevation gain may be revised and subject to change depending on the accommodation availability, weather conditions, paths and roads conditions
Footpaths, gravel road & mule tracks, some asphalt roads |
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| Minimum Age Limit | 18 (Younger Guests Must be Accompanied by Relatives) | |
| Skill Levels
Accommodated |
Advanced | |
| Self Guided | It means you will be walking on your own, we do provide assistance and support with our local guides or drivers in case of help. | |
| Guest Capacity | 2-14 | |
| Available | Yes | |
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| Accommodations | A mixture of very nice two and three-star hotels/B&Bs, Rifugios and Agriturismo all comfortably located within the historical center. Most of them are family run. Accommodation upgrades are available. | |
| Meals | All breakfasts are included. | |
| About Beverages | Not Included | |
| Average Price Per Person
(Rates shown are in Euros. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice.) |
Option A – With Luggage Transfer –,00 € per person in double room occupancy. (minimum two participants) Single supplement: –,00 €GPS Rental Fee: 25 € per unit ( batteries not included – works with 2x AA)Accommodation Upgrade: Available |
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Before you come on the holiday we recommend you to subscribe an adequate travel insurance, which must include cover for baggage, medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become too ill to continue, including helicopter rescue and air ambulance. |
Day 1: BENVENUTI! Arrival at Arezzo train station transfer to Chiusi della Verna
Today you will be met by our representative that will accompany you to the town of Chiusi della Verna (1h drive) just below La Verna Sanctuary. This land was given to St. Francis in 1213 by a pious nobleman, Count Orlando, and the Saint at once built some mud huts here for a select group of his followers. He found that La Verna was a perfect spot for meditation.
Special Event of the Day: the visit to the Monastery (1.2km from the town) and the walk around it in the beech tree forest.
Day 2: Chiusi della Verna – La Verna – Pieve Santo Stefano 16.2km +350 m ( +1 alternative walk)
Highlights of the Day: Views of the forested Apennine mountains, La Verna Sanctuary, the views from Monte Calvano, the Pieve “Diary Museum”.
Walk Details: The level is moderate – there are some ascents at the beginning to get to the Sanctuary and to climb to Monte Calvano, the first 8km have some ascents then it will be a gradual descent to the Tiber valley where Pieve Santo Stefano lies. The town boasts an interesting collection of Diary and Memoirs of common people, in a way framing a picture of the recent history of the pre and post war Italy.
Day 3: Pieve Santo Stefano – Pian della Capanna 20.8km +855m ( + other 2 alternative walks)
Highlights of the Day: Views of the countryside, the Apeninne mountains, and the beautiful medieval Hermitage of Cerbaiolo.
Walk Details: The level is moderate to difficult – Exit the village heading south then take the road to the Hermitage of Cerbaiolo, a wide gravel road that will take you up to the Via Maggio mountain pass (8km), then get to another very panoramic dirt track 4k below the pass that will take you to the Alpe della Luna reserve with stunning views of the Upper Tiber Valley.
Day 4: Pian della Capanna – Calla – Acquitrina – Sansepolcro 17.5km +244m ( + 1 alternative walk)
Highlights of the Day: the forests of Alpe della Luna, the Resurrection of the Christ by Piero della Francesca in Sansepolcro.
Walk Details: From the Pian della Capanna hut we will walk gradually to the valley through the beech tree and oak tree forests onto dirt roads and footpaths.
Day 5: Sansepolcro – Montecasale- Sansepolcro 13.9km +618m
A gradual ascent to the val d’Afra with a pretty steep climb to the area of Montecasale Hermitage a site with lots of legends bound to the presence of Francis, as an alternative there is a gradual minor asphalt road leading to the Hermitage. The walk then will take you up to the ridge that marks the bounduaries between Umbria and Tuscany then descends down to the valley where the town of Sansepolcro.
Day 6: Sansepolcro-Città di Castello 21.9km +58m (alternative hilly route available)
Highlights of the Day: The Tiber views, the old town of Città di Castello, the Burri Museums, the Pinacoteca in town.
Walk Details: The level is easy, the walk stretches practically in the flatlands.Today we will take the easy way to Città di Castello by following minor roads to get to Umbria, a minor gravel road and asphalt will take you to the village of Selci and then a footpath of a Tiber’s tributary will make you get to the Tiber River path that will take us straight to the first Umbrian town through poplar tree lined roads and robinia woods.
Day 7: Città di Castello, Ciao Ciao!
End of tour after breakfast. Bus connections to Arezzo railway station, in Arezzo there are trains available to reach Rome or Firenze.
This tour is not necessarily corresponding 100% with the Franciscan pilgrimage route, it is revised and we think we made it better way for walkers, the reality is that Francis has followed various routes in his journeys to La Verna and back to Assisi.
