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 final of those four itineraries.

From the heart of the Sacred Valley to the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica, this seven-day pilgrimage follows the final stages of the Via di Francesco into Rome. Beginning in Rieti, the “Valle Santa” where Francis spent significant time in retreat and prayer, the route winds through rolling hills, medieval villages, and oak-lined country paths that eventually give way to the outskirts of the Eternal City.

Pilgrims will walk from Rieti to Poggio San Lorenzo, then onward through Lazio’s farmland and hill towns to Ponticelli, Monterotondo, and Monte Sacro. Each stage offers glimpses of Roman history, Franciscan devotion, and authentic rural hospitality. As you approach Rome, the route shifts from quiet countryside into the vibrant urban fabric, culminating in an unforgettable arrival at the Vatican.

Along the way, you will encounter sanctuaries, shrines, and rustic Italian hospitality. Each day balances walking with time for reflection, fellowship, and immersion in local culture. Daily luggage transfers, experienced guides, and comfortable accommodations support the journey, leaving you free to walk and savor the experience.

This pilgrimage is both the completion of Francis’s Italian journey and a once-in-a-lifetime walk into the heart of Christianity. Few experiences compare to arriving on foot in Rome, joining a centuries-old tradition of pilgrims who have made this very journey before you.

Map of the route

Daily Itinerary

June 6, 2026 - Gather in Rieti (optional tours to Greccio and Fontecolombo)
June 6, 2026 - Gather in Rieti (optional tours to Greccio and Fontecolombo)

Description

Arrive in Rieti and meet your guides and fellow pilgrims. An optional afternoon tour explores the “Holy Valley” sanctuaries where Francis prayed. We gather for orientation and a shared dinner before beginning our walk southward.

distance: 0 km

ascent: 0 m

descent: 0 m

% hard surfaces: 0

difficulty rating: 0


June 7, 2026 - Rieti to Poggio San Lorenzo
June 7, 2026 - Rieti to Poggio San Lorenzo

Description

We leave Rieti through oak-lined trails, following ancient Roman roads and quiet country paths. The stage ends in Poggio San Lorenzo, a village rich with history and traditional Lazio hospitality.

distance: 20.5 km

ascent: 359 m

descent: 266 m

% hard surfaces: 58

difficulty rating: 7


Monday, June 8, 2026 - Poggio San Lorenzo to Ponticelli
Monday, June 8, 2026 - Poggio San Lorenzo to Ponticelli

Description

Rolling farmland and scattered hilltop hamlets mark today’s journey. We pass through olive groves and countryside alive with birdsong, arriving at the peaceful village of Ponticelli, where rural rhythms and simple charm welcome weary pilgrims.

distance: 19.7 km

ascent: 568 m

descent: 732 m

% hard surfaces: 27

difficulty rating: 8


June 9, 2026 - Ponticelli to Monterotondo
June 9, 2026 - Ponticelli to Monterotondo

Description

The route stretches toward Lazio’s low hills, blending farmland with historic stone villages. We end in Monterotondo, a lively town with medieval walls and vibrant piazzas, offering a bridge between rural landscapes and the approaches to Rome.

distance: 29.3 km

ascent: 536 m

descent: 716 m

% hard surfaces: 70

difficulty rating: 8


June 10, 2026 - Monterotondo to Monte Sacro
June 10, 2026 - Monterotondo to Monte Sacro

Description

From Monterotondo, trails and byways lead us closer to Rome. We arrive at Monte Sacro, set above the city’s northern edges, a place of reflection before entering the Eternal City itself.

distance: 18.6 km

ascent: 286 m

descent: 401 m

% hard surfaces: 91

difficulty rating: 7


June 11, 2026 - Monte Sacro to Vaticano/Rome
June 11, 2026 - Monte Sacro to Vaticano/Rome

Description

The final stage of the Via di Francesco leads into Rome. Walking through neighborhoods and across bridges, we end our pilgrimage at St. Peter’s Basilica, joining centuries of pilgrims who have walked this sacred path.

distance: 13.1 km

ascent: 86 m

descent: 93 m

% hard surfaces: 81

difficulty rating: 6


June 12, 2026 - Depart Rome
June 12, 2026 - Depart Rome

Description

Our journey concludes in Rome. After breakfast, depart at leisure or extend your stay to explore the Eternal City’s treasures, from the Vatican to Rome’s ancient ruins and Renaissance wonders.

distance: 0 km

ascent: 0 m

descent: 0 m

% hard surfaces: 0

difficulty rating: 0

What we provide

  • Expert European hiking guide
  • All (6) overnight accommodations
  • All breakfasts and dinners
  • Complete van and driver service
  • Daily baggage transfer (max 40 lbs)
  • E-guidebook by Pilgrim Path's own Sandy Brown
  • Private rooms and private baths

What you provide

  • Transportation to and from the route
  • Lunches and snacks each day
  • Gratuity for your driver and guide (€5-10 each per day)
  • Adequate gear and fitness for walking 15-28km/day

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