St Francis way camino is one of the most popular camino’s in Europe if not the world to walk. This particular trip from Citta di Castello to Assisi takes place over 5 nights on a self-guided basis and is graded as level 2. During the obscure times of the Middle Ages an enlightened man 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. He was Francis of Assisi a mystical person who fascinates us still today and whose charisma and philosophy are respected the world over.
On this St Francis way 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 Assisi (where he was born and died). Discover the traces of his passage, such as Franciscan hermitages, chapels, crosses as you walk through the typical landscape of Tuscany and Umbria. Your walking holidays around Assisi will take you through 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. You will have many occasions to taste the many traditional recipes, which will leave your taste buds in heaven!
We also have available the St Francis Way from Assisi to Spoleto, if you wished to do a longer duration walking holiday in Italy.
Citta di Castello
We have tried to avoid as much asphalt as possible. Some walks are on white roads (strada Bianca). Most walks are on well-marked trails, old donkey paths and roads.
This is a level 2 tour with walks up to around the 5-hour mark maybe 6 hours for slower walkers but the terrain is not hard. One day close to 7 hours walking but the terrain is easy.
A mixture of very nice 3 star hotels, guest houses and farmhouses. Night 4 in Valfabbrica does not include breakfast but there are several bars in which you can buy breakfast locally.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Hooked on Walking that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the chosen activity and for emergency evacuation and hospital care.
Arrive during the day to the Umbrian town of Citta di Castello, a short distance from Arezzo. This city on the Tiber River has some amazing Roman remains to explore. In the evening relax over dinner with a glass of the famous Montefalco wine.
After breakfast a short transfer to the town of Campanile where you shall start your walk through a nice wooded area to Pietralunga, a rural village at 566m of altitude. The old town with its steep narrow streets, the church of Madonna dei Rimedi and Pieve di Urbino really are worth a visit.
Today you head out from Pietralunga, where you walk through a scenic landscape passing the monasteries of San Benedetto and San Pietro. The abbey of San Benedetto, dates back to 12thcentury and was once an important place for pilgrims to visit. Once you arrive at Mocaiana you have a transfer by taxi to Gubbio. The town of Gubbio is worth an extensive visit. It is one of the most beautifully preserved Medieval towns, with impressive buildings and Churches. In Gubbio, many traditional festivities are honoured still today. The must-see places are the Cathedral with many paintings from 16th century artists, Dukes Palace built in the 15th century, St. Ubaldo’s House, the ancient tower house where the Gubbio’s patron saint used to live and the Piazza Grand with its fabulous panoramic views to name but a few of the many highlights.
Today’s walk is quite long, along with the hills which separate Gubbio from Valfabbrica. The route offers breath-taking views towards the Mt. Sibillini the well-known Umbrian mountain range. It is possible to shorten the walk by taking a transfer. (about 2km). It is a very nice walk through the lovely countryside in the heart of Umbria. Continue through a beautiful valley on the Sentiero Francescano to Valfabbrica.
The last walk and is a beautiful one along Umbria’ hills starting from Valfabbrica, a quiet town which was an important fortress in the middle age. The towns towers and part of the fortified walls are still well preserved. At the end of slopes, you can enjoy the landscape around you with woods, fields, country houses, parish churches with the Apennine peaks overpowering above. Assisi appears at the middle of the walk when you are in a wonderful panoramic point over the edge of the hills. A Highlights of Assisi are the St James Gate, the town of Assisi, the Upper and Lower Basilica and the tomb.
Depart after breakfast.
Rome, Florence and Pisa airports. There are several trains per day from all 3 destinations, going to Arezzo, then by bus or taxi to Citta di Castello (approx. 1 hour).
2024 Prices – For a complete tour price breakdown please click the book now button and select your holiday tour date. Prices will then be listed.
| Tour Code | Prices From (per person) | Book Now |
| StFran (5 Nights) | from £613 | Book Now |
