St.Francis Way, from Chiusi della Verna to Città di Castello

During the obscure times of the Middle Ages an enlightened man, Saint Francis of Assisi, walked along the ridges and valleys of the Apennines, looking for God’s signs in nature and talking to people about peace, humility and brotherhood. His mystical figure fascinates many still today as his charisma and philosophy are respected all over the world.

On this trip you will follow the paths Saint Francis covered during his frequent pilgrimages between the area of La Verna (where he received “the stigmata”), and that of Città di Castello. Discover the traces of his passage, such as Franciscan hermitages, chapels, crosses as you walk through the typical landscape of Tuscany and Umbria; shady forests, orchards, olive groves and fields of wheat and barley.

Apart from amazing natural and religious places, along the “Franciscan path” you will visit towns and villages of great history and culture and you will have many occasions to taste the many traditional recipes from the local traditional cuisine.

Route

Day 1: Arrival in Chiusi della Verna

Day 2: From Chiusi della Verna to Caprese Michelangelo, 13 km

Day 3: From Caprese Michelangelo to Anghiari, 20 km

Day 4: Transfer to Sansepolcro, from Sansepolcro to Citerna, 16 km

Day 5: From Citerna to Città di Castello, 20 or 16 km

Day 6: Arrivederci Città di Castello!

Day 1: Arrival in Chiusi della Verna

Head for the hotel and check in: if you arrive early enough, you can visit the Franciscan Sanctuary in the afternoon. The Sanctuary is opened every day of the year from 06:30 to 19:30 hrs (22:00 hrs in summer) To enter the Sanctuary, you need to cover your chest and arms and wear trousers / skirts long to the knee For more information check on http://www.laverna.it/en/

Day 2: From Chiusi della Verna to Caprese Michelangelo, 13 km

Walk along the edge of the Catenaia “Alps” between the Arno and Tiber valleys. During the day, enjoy the many panoramic points overlooking the Casentino and Valtiberina valley.

Distance: 13 km

Elevation gain: +456/-820 m

Day 3: From Caprese Michelangelo to Anghiari, 20 km

Walk on paths and dirt roads along the Valtiberina valley enjoying breath-taking views. Walk through the countryside surrounding Anghiari and cross castle topped hills, ancient parish churches and medieval villages and hamlets. The landscape is beautiful and the vast views are amazing; looking west it’s easy to recognise the imposing of Alpe di Poti mountain chain, in the north the Alpe di Catenaia, towards south the flat plain of the Tiber river and east the Alpe della Luna. Once you arrive in Anghiari visit this amazing medieval hamlet and have a drink in “Giardini del Vicario” at Piazza del Popolo. It’s a lovely cafè-wine bar with a wonderful view over the valley.

Distance: 20 km

Elevation gain: +672/-907 m

Day 4: Transfer to Sansepolcro, from Sansepolcro to Citerna, 16 km

A short morning transfer will take you to Sansepolcro. Today’s walk is a long promenade in the valley, following the course of the Tiber River. The itinerary links the two most important towns of Valtiberina; leaving the centre of Sansepolcro you can immerse yourself in this rich countryside and spend many hours among corn, wheat and tobacco fields, pastures and country houses.

Distance: 16 km

Elevation gain: +322/-170 m

Day 5: From Citerna to Città di Castello, 20 or 16 km

Following the river Tiber, the itinerary crosses one of most cultivated valleys in Italy (Valtiberina). The most important and famous product is tobacco used for the production of Tuscan cigars. Today’s walk is completely flat and runs along country roads or paths parallel to the river; fields and pastures alternate with preserved bank vegetation with by poplars and willows. In this area it is easy to see many birds of prey or water birds as Kestrel, Montagu’s Harrier, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Night-Heron and Moorhen.

Distance: 20 or 16 km

Elevation gain: +705/-903 m

Day 6: Arrivederci Città di Castello!

Our services end after breakfast, unless you have booked another service with us.

Arrivederci! and have a safe trip back home

accommodation

Hotel Letizia- Chiusi alla Verna

A simple and quiet hotel, for people who wish to seek a genuine and familiar atmopshere. Set in a very green setting, in a great position close to the Sanctuary of La Verna. All the rooms, decorated with sobriety, have telephone and Tv, and some have a view on the Castle of Count Orlando.

Albergo Ristorante La Buca di Michelangelo - Caprese Michelangelo

The Albergo Ristorante La Buca di Michelangelo is a structure built in a stone farmhouse, in the midlle of the village of Caprese. This accommodation in rustic style, with beam celing, offers simple lightly hued rooms. An ideal accommodation for lovers of nature.

Hotel La Meridiana - Anghiari

Set within one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, Hotel Meridiana overlooks a small square: its panoramic balconies will offer stunning views on the village and on the Valtiberina valley. This family-run hotel guarantees a pleasant, friendly atmosphere.

Free wifi, tv room, bar, internet point, convention room.

Country House Le Rasse - Citerna

Country House Le Rasse is a family-run structure in the green countryside outside Citerna. AMong the most appreciated features, apart from the friendliness of the staff, travellers mention the nice swimming pool with view on the surrounding valley and the delicious local recipes offered by the restaurant.

Hotel Le Mura - Città di Castello

The Hotel Le Mura is near the Città di Castello's walls and rooms have a nice view on the city center. The accomodations are a little dated, but these are comfortable and spacious. These offer TV, air conditioning, free WiFi. The staff is friendly and kind.

practical info

You can find more information in the "accommodation" section: we always select your accommodation for their character and comfort. You will always be booked in a private, en-suite room, with breakfast included.

Throughout Central Italy you can expect temperatures between 10° and 25°C in spring and autumn and they can reach 35°C in July and August. Mornings can be chilly but they quickly warm up as the day goes by. Showers are common in early spring and from September on and throughout the autumn, although not every day and they tend to be either short and intense or prolonged but light. Because you are by the sea, the sea breeze tends to make the long summer days less hot.

Luggage transfer (max. 20 kg) from one hotel to the hotel is included in the price.

The closest International Airports to Chiusi della Verna are:

Perugia Sant’Egidio Airport: www.airport.umbria.it/en

Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport: www.aeroporto.firenze.it/en

Pisa International Airport: www.pisa-airport.com/index.php?lang=_en

Rome Fiumicino Airport: www.rome-airport.info

Rome Ciampino Airport: www.ciampino-airport.info

There are several daily trains from all 3 destinations, going to Arezzo, where you change train to Bibbiena and then take a bus to Chiusi della Verna.

From Città di Castello take a train to reach Rome, Florence or Pisa train stations, then make your way to the airport.

Thanks to our special APP, you will be able to follow the track of the whole trip on your mobile phone, with no need for internet. GPS tracks are available on request.

Included

What is included

5 Nights in hotels and B&B with breakfast
2 dinners (Chiusi della Verna and Citerna)
luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
Transfer from Anghiari to Sansepolcro
maps and detailed description of the itinerary
Pilgrim Credential
Telephone support 24 hours
medical-luggage insurance

What is not included

Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
lunches and dinners
visits and entrance fees - tips
personal expense
possible sojourn taxes
everything that is not mentioned in the "What is included" section.

Optional Services

These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour:

Single room supplement
cancellation insurance
Transfers to reach the starting location or to leave the arriving location of the tour, which will be quoted on request.

Is this trip for me?

This journey perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the Path of St. Francis and preserves its most beloved characteristics: forests, medieval villages, and abbeys, the enchanting town of Città di Castello, and the splendid Anghiari. It also passes through the Sanctuary of La Verna, a place permeated with very strong energy. It's a very beautiful journey, perfect for those who love unspoiled nature, the Middle Ages, the charm of the ancient, and the beauty of walking among cypress trees and olive groves.

It does involve some fairly challenging elevation changes for those on their first pilgrimage and not very well-trained. We suggest checking and carefully assessing your level of fitness.