Overview
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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 second of those four itineraries.
This pilgrimage from La Verna to Assisi carries walkers deeper into the spiritual landscapes of St. Francis, tracing his footsteps through forested ridges, rustic towns, and Umbrian valleys. Departing the sacred heights of La Verna, you gradually leave the wild Casentino woods behind, entering the gentler hills and river valleys of eastern Tuscany and Umbria. Along the way you pass through historic towns like Pieve Santo Stefano and Sansepolcro, cross into Umbria at Citerna and Città di Castello, and head onward through Pietralunga and Gubbio — site of the legendary peace with the wolf — before reaching the valleys around Valfabbrica and Valdichiascio, and finally ascending into Assisi itself.
The terrain alternates between forest paths, ridge trails, and rural roads, with steady ascents and descents that grow more constant in Umbria. The route offers not only natural beauty but rich Franciscan resonance: eremitages, chapels, small sanctuaries, and landscapes that echo Francis’s own movements and contemplations.
This segment seamlessly connects to your earlier Florence → La Verna walk and links forward into the Assisi → Rieti section. It allows pilgrims to experience a complete arc of Francis’s geography — from the mountain of his mystical encounter to his birthplace, resting place, and onward journey. The walk is typically divided into 10 stages, covering roughly 180 km in total across this northern route. Throughout, you’ll be supported by accommodations, luggage transfer, and guide resources, enabling you to focus on the interior journey even as you follow the exterior path.
By the time you arrive in Assisi — heart of the Franciscan legacy — you will have walked through forests, hills, towns, chapels, and valleys intimately tied to the saint’s life, culminating in the Basilica and sacred sites that await at journey’s end.
Map of the route
Daily Itinerary

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 - Santuario della Verna to Pieve Santo Stefano
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 - Santuario della Verna to Pieve Santo Stefano
Description
Begin amid the sacred forests of La Verna, descending through wooded ridges and mixed terrain. The path opens to panoramas as you approach Pieve Santo Stefano, a charming town known for its historic arcades, churches, and manuscript archives.
distance: 14.5 km
ascent: 236 m
descent: 930 m
% hard surfaces: 22
difficulty rating: 7

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - Pieve Santo Stefano to Montagna
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - Pieve Santo Stefano to Montagna
Description
Set out through quiet woods and narrow valleys, following dirt paths and country lanes. The day’s walk is intimate, with occasional climbs and descents, culminating at Montagna — a tranquil hamlet offering refreshing respite and rural ambiance.
distance: 22.9 km
ascent: 841 m
descent: 592 m
% hard surfaces: 16
difficulty rating: 9

Thursday, May 21, 2026 - Montagna to Sansepolcro
Thursday, May 21, 2026 - Montagna to Sansepolcro
Description
A shorter day among oak woodland, gentle slopes, and sweeping Tuscan countryside. You arrive in Sansepolcro, birthplace of Piero della Francesca, where Renaissance art, medieval walls, and riverside charm await your exploration.
distance: 10.9 km
ascent: 149 m
descent: 502 m
% hard surfaces: 41
difficulty rating: 8

Friday, May 22, 2026 - Sansepolcro to Citerna
Friday, May 22, 2026 - Sansepolcro to Citerna
Description
Depart Sansepolcro via hillside trails passing through farmland and hamlets. Crossing the regional border, you enter the Umbrian hills toward Citerna — a fortified village perched above the Tiber valley, offering welcome views and medieval atmosphere.
distance: 12.6 km
ascent: 229 m
descent: 84 m
% hard surfaces: 97
difficulty rating: 6

Saturday, May 23, 2026 - Citerna to Città di Castello
Saturday, May 23, 2026 - Citerna to Città di Castello
Description
Traverse ridge paths, woodland, and rolling hills entering the upper Tiber valley. The trail leads to Città di Castello, a vibrant town with Renaissance squares, museums, and the heritage of Burri’s modern art.
distance: 19 km
ascent: 621 m
descent: 799 m
% hard surfaces: 67
difficulty rating: 8

Sunday, May 24, 2026 - Città di Castello to Pietralunga
Sunday, May 24, 2026 - Città di Castello to Pietralunga
Description
A day of ups and downs through forests and valleys, moving deeper into Umbria’s heart. You approach Pietralunga, a quiet hill town rich in stone buildings, rural charm, and proximity to hidden chapels and scenic vantage points.
distance: 28.7 km
ascent: 834 m
descent: 566 m
% hard surfaces: 71
difficulty rating: 8

Monday, May 25, 2026 - Pietralunga to Gubbio
Monday, May 25, 2026 - Pietralunga to Gubbio
Description
You ascend and descend through forested ridges and pastoral land toward Gubbio. This town, steeped in medieval architecture, is the site of Francis’s famous peace with the wolf — a profound turning point in his life.
distance: 25.6 km
ascent: 623 m
descent: 694 m
% hard surfaces: 52
difficulty rating: 8

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - Gubbio to Valdichiascio
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - Gubbio to Valdichiascio
Description
Leave Gubbio via wooded slopes and ridge trails, descending toward the Chiascio River valley. The terrain opens and the scenery softens. Arrive in Valdichiascio, a restful location nestled in the Umbrian low hills.
distance: 16 km
ascent: 354 m
descent: 390 m
% hard surfaces: 64
difficulty rating: 7

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - Valdichiascio to Valfabbrica
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - Valdichiascio to Valfabbrica
Description
This day traverses rolling hills and wooded stretches, with steady climbs and descents toward Valfabbrica. Here Francis is said to have been robbed and stripped; it is a place of humility and powerful spiritual resonance.
distance: 18.5 km
ascent: 436 m
descent: 599 m
% hard surfaces: 33
difficulty rating: 7
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Valfabbrica to Assisi
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Valfabbrica to Assisi
Description
On your final walk, follow paths and roads climbing into Assisi’s hills. Passing through olive groves, quiet lanes and small hamlets, you approach the basilicas and sacred precincts of Assisi — the culmination of your pilgrimage.
distance: 13.2 km
ascent: 420 m
descent: 347 m
% hard surfaces: 50
difficulty rating: 7

Friday, May 29, 2026 - Depart Assisi or continue to Rieti
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Depart Assisi or continue to Rieti
Description
After a final morning in Assisi, depart toward the next leg of your journey. Prepare to continue into the Assisi → Rieti section, carrying with you the insights, imagery, and grace of this transformative pilgrimage.
distance: 0 km
ascent: 0 m
descent: 0 m
% hard surfaces: 0
difficulty rating: 0
What we provide
- All (10) overnight accommodations
- Professional hiking guide
- Van and driver support
- Baggage service
- E-guidebook by Pilgrim Paths' own Sandy Brown
- Via di Francesco credential
What you provide
- Transport to Santuario della Verna
- Transport from Assisi
- Lunches and snacks
- Gear for the trip, including hiking footwear, backpack, etc.
- Adequate fitness to walk 20-30 km/day in varied terrain