Departures on request April / October

Following in the footsteps of the poor man of Assisi, the Way of St. Francis has now become a real fascinating path of religious and naturalistic interest for the places of considerable historical and cultural importance that it crosses in addition to unspoiled nature landscapes, extraordinary medieval villages and monuments of worship. exceptional rich in natural beauties and art treasures that the traveler discovers day after day by retracing what once were the lands crossed by the one who today is the true testimony of poverty, unconditional love and simplicity of life, the patron saint of Italy , Saint Francis. There are many roads that lead to the heart of medieval Italy with us you will discover part of the most beautiful villages of the Via del Nord that connects the Sanctuary of La Verna in Tuscany to the Basilica of San Francesco di Assisi which is the history and life of the Saint most representative and well-known destination in the world.

PROGRAM:

1st Day: Arrival in Città di Castello and start of the journey to Pietralunga

Individual arrival in Città di Castello at 09:00 with group departure for Pietralunga at 9:30. Also known as the city of monasteries due to the high concentration of monasteries and churches that testify to a particular religious devotion, Giosa Città di Castello is located on a slight hill in the Upper Tiber Valley. We leave behind the city with its towers in the distance and walk through the silence of the woods a stretch of ups and downs between the hills until we reach a "place of the heart" of the Way; Pieve de Saddi, center of the first Christianization of the territory, here we we stop to regenerate. The long and different climbs make this stage quite challenging but the beauty of these places to be crossed at a slow pace allows us to fully grasp the sense of the Way. After a long stretch where the silence of the landscape regenerates the spirit and invites us to meditation we begin a long climb to be faced in total calm and slowness, first on the road and then on a staircase that will take us to the small walled village of Pietralunga with its characteristic "alleys" and gathered around the remains of the Lombard fortress. dinner. Difference in height: -674 / +944 Difficulty: Challenging KM: 31; Travel time: 8 h; Road surface: asphalted roads, secondary roads

2nd Day: From Pietralunga to Gubbio

From Pietralunga the itinerary resumes with a hilly and mid-mountain landscape where the climbs and descents of the first section can be crossed in peace and then continue in a splendid plain full of woods and open spaces that allows you to fully enjoy the views with wide views of the surrounding hills. Along the way we will meet several churches and abbeys where we can refresh ourselves. The arrival in Gubbio repays all the effort of the day not only for the beauty of the place considered one of the most important and ancient centers in all of Umbria but for the strong bond that unites San Francesco to the city. Stay and dinner. Difference in height: - 826 / +758 Difficulty: Medium; KM: 26.2; Travel time: 7 h. Road surface: asphalted roads, mule tracks

Day 3: From Gubbio to Valfabbrica (San Pietro in Vigneto area)

A stage of great significance for the historical importance it represents, in fact this is exactly the path, even if in the opposite direction, that the poor man of Assisi made after having stripped himself of all property in front of the Bishop and proclaiming himself along the way "herald of the Great King" of in front of the brigands who beat him up. For the first 9 km or so we cross a stretch of asphalted and busy road to then leave behind us the beautiful view of Gubbio and enter the valley of the Chia- sco river with its castles located at the top of the slopes. You walk between ups and downs in the middle of coniferous woods until you reach the hermitage of San Pietro in Vigneto, known since 1200 as a hospital that welcomed pilgrims passing along the road originally called Municipalia and later Franciscan. Here we stop for the night and rest to be ready to face the last stage of our journey. Difference in altitude: -529 / +495 Difficulty: Medium. KM: 16.3. Travel time: 5 h. Road surface: asphalted roads, forest paths, dirt roads

4th Day: From Loc. Biscina to Valfabbrica and Assisi

The last 35 km of our journey, in the silence of the hills and valleys between olive groves and vineyards, will take us to the foot of one of the most famous and visited places in the world. After the Castle of Biscina we continue with a stretch almost entirely downhill towards Valfabbrica and then resume crossing a first part of the forest to climb with two short rather steep stretches to overcome the ridges that separate Valfabbrica from the Valle di Assisi. Once we reach the first ridge, a fairytale setting opens up before us, giving us the most exciting moment of the entire walk