St. Francis’ Way to Assisi

Your Umbrian walking holiday begins in Città di Castello, a town rich in heritage and artistic treasures. Make sure you arrive early enough to pass a few pleasant hours acclimatizing to your new surroundings and discovering the ancient secrets of this charming Umbrian town.

Città di Castello has always had a very strong artistic culture: important artists worked here and contributed to the building of monumental churches like the Cathedral of St Dominic and St Francis. The town is surrounded by long stretches of 16^th century walls and you will find wonderful artistry throughout its historic centre. It is evident in the Renaissance architecture, in the courtyards and open galleries of the noble palaces and in the cloisters and aisles of the churches.

You can enjoy wonderful views of the Umbrian hills from the top of the Civic Tower before sampling local delicacies such as white truffles in one of the local trattorias. Sit down for a glass of Montefalco wine amidst monuments dating back to Roman times.

Overnight: Città di Castello.

Distance: 15 km | Ascent: 614 m | Descent: 655 m | Walking time: 5 hrs approx.

After a short transfer this morning, you will walk up and down through peaceful woodlands, fields, and valleys to the welcoming Umbrian village of Pietralunga. You will find many pleasant resting places and water fountains along the route today. The area around Pietralunga is criss-crossed by various stretches of ancient Roman roads and contains ruins of Roman villas and aqueducts.

The historic centre of Pietralunga has preserved its medieval village atmosphere. Its old town walls encircle a cluster of narrow streets gathered around the ruins of the 8^th century Lombard fortress, the Rocca Longobarda. The church of Madonna dei Rimedi and Pieve di Urbino are well worth a visit.

Overnight: Pietralunga.

Distance: 18 km | Ascent: 547 m | Descent: 712 m | Walking time: 5 hrs approx.

Today’s route takes you through peaceful mountain valleys to Gubbio, one of the most important historic towns in Umbria. From Pietralunga you walk through a scenic landscape of woodlands and open meadows, while enjoying sweeping views of the surrounding hills. The trail is dotted with hermitages, abbeys, and little villages. The churches and abbeys offer the opportunity to stop and rest in the shade of the trees. The abbey of San Benedetto, dated back to XII century, was once an important reference point for pilgrims.

To avoid a long stretch of road walking, the final section from Mocaiana to Gubbio is by taxi (included). Gubbio is one of the most ancient towns in Umbria, remaining marvellously well-preserved, with many monuments that bear witness to its glorious past. Architecturally it represents the zenith of medieval civilization. Evidence of its ancient origins is provided by the Eugubine Tablets, one of the most important archaeological records in Italy – seven bronze tablets with writing in the Umbrian language preserved at the Civic Museum – and the Roman Theatre standing just outside the city walls. The monumental Basilica of Sant’Ubaldo, which holds the remains of the town’s patron saint, towers over Gubbio, with its architectural masterpieces that stand as symbols of the power of this medieval city-state.

Overnight: Gubbio.

Distance: 23 km | Ascent: 336 m | Descent: 336 m | Walking time: 7 hrs approx.

Today’s walk is quite long, along the hills which separate Gubbio from Valfabbrica. The route offers breathtaking views of the Sibillini mountain range, part of the Appenines. It is possible to shorten the walk by taking a transfer (about 2km). It is a very nice walk through the beautiful Umbrian countryside and the valley of the Chiasco river, with medieval castles on the hilltops above. On a clear day you will get your first glimpse of Monte Subasio in the distance. Assisi is now getting close! Some ascending and descending through conifer woods takes you to the church of Caprignone, followed by Biscina Castle. From here it is almost all downhill to Valfabbrica, a quiet town which was an important fortress in the Middle Ages.

Exploring the old town of Valfabbrica, you will find the old medieval castle, which still has a tower which was once the ancient gate of the castle. Outside the Castle are the small Church of the Madonna di Foce, built in 1634-36, with a façade decorated with a large terracotta rose window, and the modern Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with stained glass windows and canvases from the 16^th and 17^th centuries.

Overnight: Valfabbrica.

Distance: 13 km | Ascent: 578 m | Descent: 498 m | Walking time: 4 hrs approx.

Your last walking day is an undulating and very scenic route along the Umbrian hills, with the Apennine peaks towering above. The first section is through tranquil woodland and hillsides, then from Pieve San Niccolò the landscape opens up over the valleys with olive groves and vineyards. Around the halfway point you reach a panoramic viewing point where you will catch your first glimpse of Assisi. Your journey in the footsteps of St. Francis is now coming to an end.

You enter Assisi via the traditional pilgrims’ entrance, the Porta San Giacomo, to be greeted by the sight of the majestic façade of the Basilica of St Francis. Your journey comes to an end in front of the tomb of St Francis in the Basilica dedicated to him. The Basilica of St. Francis was built in 1228, just two years after the saint’s death, as a place designed to receive his remains. According to tradition, Francis himself, on his deathbed, indicated this spot to his companions as the place for his burial. The surfaces are all in stone from Mt. Subasio, which has a pink colour during the day and shines white in the moonlight. The Basilica Superiore, which was built immediately after the lower church and consecrated in 1253, is home to one of Italy’s most famous works of art – a cycle of 28 frescoes depicting the life of St Francis.

In the year 2000, Assisi, together with its historic centre, the Basilica of St. Francis and other Franciscan sites, and almost the entire municipal territory, was declared part of the World Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO.

Overnight: Assisi.

Your walking holiday on the Way of Saint Francis comes to an end after breakfast this morning, unless you have booked any additional services with us.