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Highlights
Follow the footsteps of St. Francis on one of Italy’s most special pilgrimages
Walk where St. Francis walked in the Middle Ages, enlightened by God’s signs in nature and sharing a message of peace.
Cross the wild slopes of the Apennines and walk through some of the most magical forests in Italy.
Stop in medieval towns like Anghiari, which resemble their original forms in a way that denies the passage of time.
Stay the night in small, comfortable family-run accommodations with friendly hosts.
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 togetherness. He was Francis of Assisi, a mystical person who fascinates us still today and whose charisma and philosophy are respected the world over. The St. Francis Way – Chiusi ti Città di Castello Tour is a pilgrimage that follows his footsteps.
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, and crosses as you walk through the stunning landscapes of Tuscany and Umbria; shady forests, orchards, olive groves and fields of wheat and barley await.
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 renowned cuisine of this region. Get in touch with nature, with yourself, and with St. Francis on this life-changing journey.
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 togetherness. He was Francis of Assisi, a mystical person who fascinates us still today and whose charisma and philosophy are respected the world over. The St. Francis Way – Chiusi ti Città di Castello Tour is a pilgrimage that follows his footsteps.
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, and crosses as you walk through the stunning landscapes of Tuscany and Umbria; shady forests, orchards, olive groves and fields of wheat and barley await.
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 renowned cuisine of this region. Get in touch with nature, with yourself, and with St. Francis on this life-changing journey.
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The St. Francis Way – Chiusi to Città di Castello Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Chiusi della Verna
Arrive in Chiusi della Verna. If you arrive early enough, you can visit the Franciscan Sanctuary in the afternoon. The Sanctuary is open every day of the year from 06:30 to 19:30 hrs (22:00 hrs in summer)
NOTE: To enter the Sanctuary, you need to cover your chest and arms and wear trousers/skirts to the knee.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Chiusi della Verna
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Walk Chiusi to Caprese Michelangelo
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. The scenery will make you want to stop and stare! Tonight, stay in Caprese Michelangelo.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Caprese Michelangelo
Distance: 4 hours, 13km, 456m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Walk from Caprese Michelangelo to Anghiari
After the sights at the 13th-century church of St. John the Baptist, where Michelangelo was baptized walk on paths and dirt roads along the Valtiberina valley enjoying breath-taking views.
You 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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ponte alla Piera
Distance: 7 hours, 20km, 672m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4 Transfer to Sansepolcro & Walk to Citerna
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Citerna
Distance: 5 hours, 16km, 322m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 5 Walk to Città di Castello
Following the Tiber River, the itinerary crosses one of the 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 poplars and willows. In this area it is easy to see many birds of prey or water birds such as Kestrel, Montagu’s Harrier, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Night Heron and Moorhen. Once you arrive tonight, find a nice terrace to have a celebratory drink and dinner on!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Citta di Castello
Distance: 5/7 hours, 16/20km, 705m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Arrivederci Città di Castello!
The tour comes to a close after breakfast unless you’ve booked additional days. Safe travels!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Departures on October 1st - 31st, 2023:
- Solo traveller: EUR706
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR568
- Sharing a double/twin room: EUR499
- Sharing a triple room: EUR425
Departures on April 1st - October 31st, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR760
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR618
- Sharing a double/twin room: EUR530
- Sharing a triple room: EUR448
Accommodation on the St. Francis Way – Chiusi to Città di Castello tour
This tour is based in hotels and B&Bs. Hotels on this trip are 2-3-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have fireplaces or access to amenities such as hot tubs, steam rooms, or private decks to lounge on.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
What’s Included in the St. Francis Way – Chiusi to Città di Castello Tour?
Meals
5 breakfasts and 2 dinners are included
Accommodations
Accommodations for 5 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Luggage transfer is included on this trip. Your transfer to Sansepolcro on Day 5 is also included. When you travel with public transport you will take your luggage with you. Travel from and to the airport is not included but can be added as a supplement.
Also Included
- Information kit
- St. Francis’ Way Passport
- 24/7 emergency support phone line
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Items of a personal nature including drinks, souvenirs, phone calls, internet and laundry
- Meals note previously mentioned as included
- Visas if required
- Guide services
- Anything not mentioned as included
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before, during or after the tour
- Airport transfers
- Single occupancy upgrades
- How hard is the St. Francis Way - Chiusi to Città di Castello tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Italy?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Are meals included on the St. Francis Way - Chiusi to Città di Castello tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Chiusi to start this tour?
- Where does St. Francis Way - Chiusi to Città di Castello end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Italy?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Italy?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. The length of the walks varies from 13km to 23 km per day. Ascents can be up to 705 metres, but long walks can be shortened with taxi transfers if desired. Fit walkers will be able to get the most out of this tour.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel, since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
6 breakfasts and 4 dinners are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Rome to Fiumicino Airport (FCO) or Ciampino Airport (CIA). You may also choose to fly into Pisa Airport (PSA) or Florence Airport (FLR). There are several trains per day from all 3 destinations going to Arezzo, where you change trains to Bibbiena and then a bus to Chiusi della Verna. It is possible to book a transfer from Arezzo to Chiusi della Verna, or from Città di Castello to Rome or Florence.
The tour ends in Città di Castello. You can either arrange your own travel to your departure airport or book a transfer as a supplement.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Customer Ratings
S-Cape Travel is a boutique tour operator focused on sharing the best walking, cycling, cultural and food & wine tours in Europe. Book one of their self-guided tours to live La Dolce Vita for a week or two, as you walk or cycle around Europe, enjoying incredible views and amazing food and wine.
