Complete Guide to St. Francis (Via of St. Francis)
The Way of Francis (Francis' Path or Camino of Saint Francis) is a network of routes in Italy that connect key Franciscan sites such as La Verna, Assisi and Rome. A spiritual pilgrimage to the heart of Italy.
Last updated: 28/03/2026
Table of Contents
Technical Summary of St. Francis (Via of St. Francis)
500 km
Distance
25
days
23
Stages
Media
Difficulty
249 accommodations available on the route
Introduction to St. Francis (Via of St. Francis)
All Stages of St. Francis (Via of St. Francis)
Complete route divided into 23 stages
Rome - Mount Sacred
The first stage of the Via di San Francesco is an urban walk that allows pilgrims to bid farewell to Rome's city center and venture into the northern neighborhoods, following the course of the Aniene ...
Mount of the Sacred - Monterotondo
This stage leaves behind the Rome metropolitan area and enters the Roman countryside, a landscape of gentle hills that leads to the city of Monterotondo. It is a moderate distance journey, with an und...
Monte Rotondo - Ponticelli di Scandriglia
This is one of the longest and most demanding stages of the Via di San Francesco, a journey that introduces pilgrims to the region of Sabina, land of olives and medieval villages. The route is beautif...
Village of Scandriglia - Poggio San Lorenzo
This stage continues through the heart of Sabina, on a moderate distance but with an demanding profile. The path winds its way over hills, passing through small villages and offering breathtaking view...
Poggio San Lorenzo - Rieti
This stage marks the arrival at the Holy Valley and the city of Rieti. The route is mainly downhill, leaving the hills of the Sabine region to enter a fertile plain of great importance in the life of ...
Rieti-Poggio Bustone
From Rieti, this stage climbs to one of the most important Franciscan sanctuaries. It is a day with a strong spiritual and physical component, as the path gains altitude to reach Poggio Bustone, a pla...
Poggio Bustone - Piediluco
This is a high mountain stage that crosses the Reatini Mountains to descend later towards the beautiful Lake Piediluco. It's an demanding journey, with considerable elevation gain and solitary yet spe...
Piedilucco - Ferentinum
This stage enters the valley of the River Nera, in the region of Umbria, "the green heart of Italy". The ride is smoother than before, following the course of the river through a lush and pleasant lan...
Ferentillo - Spoleto
This is one of the longest and most demanding stages on the route, but it culminates in one of Italy's most fascinating cities: Spoleto. The ride is a continuous up-and-down through the shadowy hills,...
Spello - Porta
After the effort to reach Spoleto, this short and gentle stage allows for recovery of strength. The route runs through famous olive groves in the Spoleto valley, a landscape of great beauty and sereni...
Porta - Trevi
This is a brief stage that culminates with the ascent to the beautiful city of Trevi, perched on a hill. The route crosses the Umbrian valley, a landscape of olive groves and fields of cultivation. Th...
Trevi - Spello translates to "Trevi - Spello" in English, as it appears to be a location or place name.
This stage traverses the Umbrian valley plain, with Assisi always visible on the horizon. It is a flat day that passes near the important city of Foligno. The road is pleasant and takes place between ...
Spenello - Assisi
This is the exciting ascent to Assisi. It's a short but intense stage, especially for its significance. The path rises up the slopes of Monte Subasio, offering breathtaking views of the valley. Arriva...
Assisi - Valsaviana
This is the first stage of the Via del Nord, departing from Assisi. It's a mountainous journey, solitary and of great beauty. The path enters the forests of Monte Subasio, offering a radical change in...
Valfabbrica - San Pietro in Vigneto
This is a demanding stage that crosses the Apennines. It's a long and hard journey through an isolated and mountainous territory. The trail offers a total immersion in nature. The old hospital of San ...
St Peter in Vineyard - Gubbio
After the effort of the previous stage, the road descends gently to Gubbio, one of Italy's most spectacular medieval cities. It is a moderate distance and favorable profile that allows for the anticip...
Gubbio to Pietralunga
This is a long and demanding stage that ventures into the heart of Umbrian Apennines. The route traverses a mountain landscape, with forests, hills and valleys. It's a journey to enjoy nature and the ...
Petralunga - City of Castello
This is the longest stage of the North section of the Via di San Francesco, a true challenge for the pilgrim. The route is a continuous up and down through the shadowy hills, with a beautiful landscap...
City of Castello - Citerna
This moderate-distance stage concludes with the final ascent to the beautiful town of Citerna. The route leaves the Tiber valley for an ascent up this hill, which offers spectacular panoramic views of...
Citerna-Sansepolcro
This is a short and easy stage that takes us to the cradle of the Renaissance. The path descends from Citerna Hill to the Tiber Valley. The brevity of the journey allows you to arrive in time at Sanse...
Sansepolcro in the Pian della Capanna
Leaving Sansepolcro, this stage begins the determined ascent to La Verna Sanctuary. The path leaves the Tiber valley and enters the Tuscan Apennines. It is a mountain day with an demanding profile and...
Piano of the Hut - Saint Stephen's Church
This stage continues the ascent through the Tuscan Apennines, on a mountainous route before the final stretch to La Verna. The landscape is forest and mountainous, a precursor to the sanctity of the s...
Santo Stefano in Verna
The last stage of the Via del Nord is a continuous ascent to the sacred Sanctuary of La Verna, where Saint Francis received the stigmata. It's a journey of great emotional and spiritual load that culm...
Key Towns of St. Francis (Via of St. Francis)
The most important towns and cities on this route.
Roma
The "Eternal City", the endpoint of the Via Francigena and the birthplace of Christianity. Rome, with St Peter's Basilica and the Apostle's tomb, is the ultimate destination for pilgrimage.
Monte Sacro
59 mHistoric neighborhood of Rome, first stop on the way.
Monterotondo
165 mCity in the province of Rome with a notable historical center.
Ponticelli di Scandriglia
251 mSmall village in the region of Sabina.
Poggio San Lorenzo
Small village in the Sabine region. Poggio San Lorenzo, with its castle and olive grove surroundings, is a quiet and rural stop on the Cammino di San Benedetto.
Rieti
Considered the geographical center of Italy, Rieti is a city with a rich Roman and medieval past, and a key point on the Franciscan trails, offering culture and services to pilgrims.
Poggio Bustone
Sanctuary of the Revelation in the Holy Valley. In Poggio Bustone, St. Francis received forgiveness for his sins and confirmation of his mission. A stage of hope on the Way of Francis.
Piediluco
Picturesque town on the shores of the lake that bears its name. Piediluco, with its spa atmosphere and views, is the precursor to the spectacular Cascata delle Marmo.
Ferentillo
Town of the Valnerina dominated by two imposing strongholds. Ferentillo, with its Mummy Museum and its climbing surroundings, is a singular and full-of-surprises stop.
Spoleto
Ducal city with an impressive heritage. Spoleto, with its Rocca Albornoziana and its Cathedral, is one of Umbria's jewels and a monumental stop on the Way of St. Benedict.
Poreta
332 mSmall medieval town with a castle.
Trevi
412 mKnown as the "Oil Capital" at the top of a hill.
History of St. Francis (Via of St. Francis)
The Way of St Francis is not a single line, but a collection of trails that connect the most iconic places in Franciscan biography, traversing the green and undulating hills of Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio. The pilgrimage to these places began almost immediately after the saint's death in the 13th century, driven by the rapid expansion of the Franciscan Order he founded.
The route is structured mainly into two large axes that converge in Assisi. The Northern Way starts at the Sanctuary of La Verna, in the mountains of Tuscany. This is a place of overwhelming spiritual intensity, as it was here, in 1224, where Saint Francis, retired in prayer, received the stigmata of Christ's Passion. From La Verna, the path descends southwards, passing through towns that were the scene of Francisco's preaching, such as Gubbio, where the legend tells of the famous episode of the taming of the wolf, a metaphor for reconciliation and peace.
The Southern Way starts in the Eternal City, Rome, where Francis traveled to obtain from Pope Innocent III the approval of his new religious lifestyle. The route heads northwards and traverses the Valley of Rieti, known as "Holy Valley". Francisco loved this place and founded four sanctuaries there that mark fundamental stages of his spirituality: the Sanctuary of Greccio, where in 1223 he created the first living manger in history; the Sanctuary of Fonte Colombo, where he wrote the definitive version of the Franciscan Rule; the Sanctuary of Poggio Bustone, where he had the certainty of forgiveness for his sins; and the Sanctuary of La Foresta.
Both routes, the Northern Way and the Southern Way, have as their goal and heart the city of Assisi. The birthplace of Saint Francis and of Saint Clare, his spiritual companion, Assisi is the final destination of the journey. The city is dominated by the magnificent Papal Basilica of St Francis, built to house the saint's tomb. Its two levels, the lower basilica, darker and more penitential, and the upper level, luminous and decorated with Giotto's extraordinary frescoes that narrate Francisco's life, are a catechism in themselves and a place of pilgrimage worldwide, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The Way of St Francis, restored and signposted for modern pilgrims, offers an unique experience. Unlike the epic and sometimes martial history of the Camino de Santiago, The Way of St Francis is a more intimate and contemplative pilgrimage. It invites simplicity, joy, and rediscovering the beauty of nature, as preached by the saint of Assisi in his "Song of Creatures". It's a journey to the heart of the Gospel through the most beautiful landscapes of central Italy.
Accommodations on the Route
The St. Francis (Via of St. Francis) has 249 verified accommodations along the entire route.
View Stages & AccommodationsPractical Tips for St. Francis (Via of St. Francis)
Best Season
Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are the best seasons. Pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds than summer.
Physical Preparation
Train by walking progressively in the months before. Start with short distances and increase. Your body will adapt to the rhythm of the Camino.
What to Pack
Light backpack (max 10% of your weight), worn trekking shoes, breathable technical clothing, raincoat, sunscreen and basic first aid kit.
General Tips
Carry the pilgrim credential, stay hydrated, respect your pace, book accommodation in high season and enjoy the journey without rushing.
FAQ about St. Francis (Via of St. Francis)
El Camino de San Francisco, también conocido como Via di Francesco, es una ruta que suele extenderse alrededor de 500 km. Esta distancia recorre hermosas regiones de Italia como Umbría y Toscana, conectando sitios franciscanos importantes.
Se estima que completar la Via di Francesco requiere aproximadamente 25 días de caminata. Este itinerario permite a los peregrinos disfrutar del paisaje y la cultura italiana mientras visitan lugares espirituales importantes vinculados a San Francisco.
La mejor época para realizar el Via di Francesco es durante la temporada media, específicamente en abril-junio y septiembre-octubre. Durante este tiempo se disfruta de un clima agradable con temperaturas que oscilan entre los 10-25°C y una menor presencia de peregrinos.
El costo del Camino de San Francisco (Via di Francesco) puede variar dependiendo de las fechas, la duración y los servicios incluidos. En Ourway Travel gestionamos tu reserva para asegurarnos que obtengas el mejor precio y paquete que se adapte a tus necesidades.
Una reserva con Ourway Travel para el Camino de San Francisco incluye alojamiento en albergues seleccionados, asesoramiento personalizado y planificación del itinerario. También ofrecemos opciones adicionales como seguro de viaje y traslado de equipaje.
El Via di Francesco es una ruta espiritual única en Italia, mientras que el Camino Francés es uno de los más populares para llegar a Santiago. El Via di Francesco se centra en la vida y enseñanzas de San Francisco, pasando por lugares santos como La Verna y Asís, mientras que el Camino Francés recorre hermosos paisajes franceses hasta Compostela.
Ambas rutas ofrecen experiencias únicas. El Via di Francesco se centra en la vida y legado de San Francisco, conectando sitios franciscanos importantes en Umbría y Toscana. En contraste, la Via Francigena te lleva desde el norte de Europa hasta Roma, pasando por hermosos paisajes italianos con una rica historia cultural e histórica.
Para obtener tu credencial peregrino para la Via di Francesco, puedes recogerla en Asís o La Verna. En Ourway Travel, te ayudamos a gestionar este proceso y proporcionamos orientación sobre cómo completarlo con éxito.
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