Overview
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! THE DATES ARE SET, AND THIS IS A PRELIMINARY POSTING WHILE WE CALCULATE TRIP PRICING.
We’ve designed four connected pilgrimage tours on the Via di Francesco, allowing you to walk a single section or link them together for a continuous journey from Florence through Assisi to Rome, following Francis’s footsteps. This is the first of those four itineraries.
This pilgrimage from Florence to Santuario della Verna offers a rich blend of art, history, forested trails, and spiritual reflection. Setting out from the cradle of the Renaissance, you’ll pass through undulating Tuscan hills, cross the Apennine ridges, and enter the sacred Casentino forests before ascending to the mountaintop sanctuary where St. Francis received the stigmata.
The route retraces connections once used by Franciscan monks, weaving paths through remote valleys, wooded ridges, quiet villages, and hermitages. The terrain grows more rugged as you progress—expect daily ascents and descents, narrow forest tracks, and stretches of solitude.
Pilgrims on this stretch typically walk 4–7 hours per day, covering between 12 and 20 km, depending on the stage. The rewards are manifold: the peaceful rhythms of nature, glimpses of medieval villages, spiritual silence, and at journey’s end, the majestic sanctuary perched in the forested heights of Mount Penna.
This version of the pilgrimage is an ideal choice for walkers who wish to immerse themselves in Tuscany’s hidden landscapes and the contemplative spirit of Francis before continuing onward to Assisi (if desired).
Map of the route
Daily Itinerary

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - Gather in Florence
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - Gather in Florence
Description
Arrive in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, with time to explore its art-filled streets and sacred sites. In the evening, gather for introductions, orientation, and a welcome dinner that sets the stage for your pilgrimage.
distance: 0 km
ascent: 0 m
descent: 0 m
% hard surfaces: 0
difficulty rating: 0

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 - Florence to Pontassieve
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 - Florence to Pontassieve
Description
Begin your walk at the Basilica di Santa Croce, following country lanes out of Florence into rolling vineyards and olive groves. The day ends in Pontassieve, a quiet riverside town that marks your transition from city to countryside.
distance: 18.4 km
ascent: 271 m
descent: 215 m
% hard surfaces: 65
difficulty rating: 6

Thursday, May 14, 2026 - Pontassieve to Consuma
Thursday, May 14, 2026 - Pontassieve to Consuma
Description
Climb steadily from the Arno Valley into the Apennines, walking through forest and farmland. The day culminates at the Passo della Consuma, where cool mountain air and wide horizons highlight your progress toward the wilderness of Casentino.
distance: 16.8 km
ascent: 999 m
descent: 74 m
% hard surfaces: 67
difficulty rating: 8

Friday, May 165, 2026
Friday, May 165, 2026
Description
Descend from the mountain pass into the Casentino Valley, passing rural hamlets and woodland paths. Arrive in Stia, a historic village at the confluence of rivers, known for its medieval square and traditional Tuscan atmosphere.
distance: 14.4 km
ascent: 247 m
descent: 833 m
% hard surfaces: 14
difficulty rating: 7

Saturday, May 16, 2026 - Stia to Camaldoli
Saturday, May 16, 2026 - Stia to Camaldoli
Description
The trail leads through thick beech and fir forests toward the ancient Camaldoli Hermitage and Monastery. Founded in the 11th century, this spiritual refuge offers pilgrims a place of silence, reflection, and connection with Franciscan tradition.
distance: 17.5 km
ascent: 766 m
descent: 377 m
% hard surfaces: 37
difficulty rating: 8

Sunday, May 17, 2026 - Camaldoli to Badia Prataglia
Sunday, May 17, 2026 - Camaldoli to Badia Prataglia
Description
Continue through Casentino National Forest, crossing ridges and following streams. The landscape alternates between quiet woodland and mountain meadows before descending into Badia Prataglia, a small mountain town surrounded by deep forests and traditional stone houses.
distance: 8.3 km
ascent: 493 m
descent: 489 m
% hard surfaces: 10
difficulty rating: 7

Monday, May 18, 2026 - Badia Prataglia to Santuario della Verna
Monday, May 18, 2026 - Badia Prataglia to Santuario della Verna
Description
Your final stage climbs through dense woodland toward Mount Penna. Arriving at Santuario della Verna, you enter the holy sanctuary where St. Francis received the stigmata, completing your journey at this profound site of pilgrimage and prayer.
distance: 15.8 km
ascent: 1085 m
descent: 791 m
% hard surfaces: 7
difficulty rating: 10

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 - Depart La Verna or contiue to Assisi
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 - Depart La Verna or contiue to Assisi
Description
Enjoy a reflective morning at La Verna, exploring chapels, caves, and forest paths before departure. Pilgrims may return home enriched by the experience, or continue onward toward Assisi, following in the footsteps of St. Francis.
distance: 0 km
ascent: 0 m
descent: 0 m
% hard surfaces: 0
difficulty rating: 0
What we provide
- Hosted by Third Order Franciscan, Patrick Mowrer
- Expert European hiking guide Giovanni Ramaccioni
- All (7) overnight accommodations
- All breakfasts and dinners
- Complete van and driver support
- Baggage transfer daily (up to 40 lbs/18 kg)
- City Guide in Florence
- E-guidebook from Pilgrim Paths' own Sandy Brown
- Official Via di Francesco credential
- Private rooms and private baths
What you provide
- Transportation to and from the journey
- Lunches and snacks each day
- Gratuity for guide and driver (from €5-10 each per day)
- Adequate fitness to walk 15km/day in mountainous terrain