NORTHERN route from La Verna to Assisi
DETAILS
DIFFICULTY:AVERAGE ACCOMMODATION: 8 nights in holiday farms and hotels ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICE!€600 per person in a double room, €700 per person in a single room THE PACKAGE INCLUDES:half-board for accommodation in a double or single room, bag lunch (for groups of at least 10 people), pilgrim’s welcome kit (rucksack or T-shirt and printed guidebook). On request, the Pilgrim’s Credential with each person’s name on it will also be issued. EXTRA SERVICES:For already formed groups, customized quotations and special itineraries can be organized.Transfer of guests and baggage between facilities.Light lunch.Insurance. WE RECOMMEND:comfortable clothing, hiking shoes.ITINERARY
PROGRAM
DAY 1
Arrival at La Verna and start of the hike.An inscription inside the sanctuary reads “Non est in toto sanctior orbe mons” (“In the world there is no other mountain holier than this one”).La Verna is not only the point of departure, but is also one of the most sacred and enthralling of the entire walk.The hike is of average difficulty.The climb is progressive, but there are several steep sections, which will help visitors get their legs in shape for the walk to Assisi.Kilometres: 15.
DAY 2
Each walk has its impossible challenge, the stretch you think you can’t handle.Between Pieve Santo Stefano and Sansepolcro, the length of this stretch and the steep elevation changes make this a difficult walk, but this is also the perfect way to understand St Francis’s “perfect happiness”.Trust us: you won’t be disappointed.You will leave very early and proceed slowly.You can also shorten the route, deciding to stop along the way or use transfers to reach your destination.Total kilometres for this leg: 36.
DAY 3
Short and level route between Tuscany and Umbria.You can take advantage of the day to visit Sansepolcro, historically tied to pilgrimage routes, and then reach the town of Citerna in less than four hours, which is the start of the route to the land of St Francis,Umbria.Kilometres: 13.
DAY 4
The day’s walk is very pleasant.From the harsh Apennine landscape of the previous legs, we head into the gentle rolling landscape of the upper Tiber Valley.The climbs are not demanding and the walk goes through the quiet fields, vineyards and hillside towns.Citerna – Città di Castello 20.5 km.
DAY 5
The leg from Città di Castello to Pietralunga is quite long, but can be shortened by choosing intermediate legs or using the transfers.You will leave behind the linear geometries of the squares of Città di Castello to cross woods and sunny walks to reach the “place of the heart” of this route:Pieve de’ Saddi.The path continues on ascents and descents towards Pietralunga, where you can enjoy the peacefulness and welcome of this little Umbrian village.31 km.
DAY 6
The leg from Pietralunga to Gubbio is long, but luckily the numerous ups and downs are easy to handle.The first stretch goes through the silence of mountain valleys, while the second winds its way entirely across the plains.Our arrival in Gubbio rewards our efforts, not only because of its beauty but also because of the powerful bond linking St Francis to the city.It was here that Francis, at the start of his path of conversion, was welcomed and it was here that the famous episode of the wolf took place.26.2 km.
DAY 7
The segment from Gubbio to Valfabbrica covers – in reverse – one of St Francis’s most important journeys,when he completed the prophetic gesture of removing everything he owned in front of the bishop of Assisi and headed to Gubbio.Along this road, he proclaimed himself the “herald of the Great King” in front of robbers who beat him up (FF 346). He then reached a monastery, where he was welcomed reluctantly and was sent to the kitchen to work as a scullery hand.There are elevation changes, but the route can be split up or transfers can be used to arrive at our destination.Total kilometres for this leg: 35.4.
DAY 8
After days of walking – amid joy and fatigue, ups and down – we finish our journey as pilgrims in the wake of St Francis.After a few climbs that are not difficult, we reach the tomb of St Francis, ending this tiring journey with him, but also meditating on what the path has taught us.Final leg: 14.5 km.