How long is the Way of St Francis?

It depends on the section. The northern route from La Verna to Assisi is usually given as around 180 to 190 kilometres in eight to ten walking stages. The full route to Rome takes several weeks. Check the stage lengths on the official route website before planning.

Do I need a pilgrim credential?

It is not compulsory for walking, but it is needed for many pilgrim hostels and to receive the Testimonium at the end. The official credential can be requested in advance; the route website recommends ordering it at least three weeks before departure.

Is the Way of St Francis hard?

It is a hilly route with regular climbs and descents and some long stages. Walkers with good basic fitness and experience of multi-day hikes manage it well. Train with your boots and a loaded pack beforehand, and plan shorter days at the start.

Can I walk the Way of St Francis without booking accommodation?

In quieter months it is often possible to book only a day or two ahead. In spring, around Easter and in early autumn, accommodation in small villages is limited and fills up, so booking further ahead is safer.

Walking the Way of St Francis: Routes, Stages, Planning

The Way of St Francis, in Italian Via di Francesco, is a long-distance pilgrimage route that follows places linked to St Francis through Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio, with Assisi at its centre. Most walkers choose one of two routes: the northern route from the sanctuary of La Verna to Assisi, or the southern route from Assisi towards Rieti and Rome. If you have less time, the section from Gubbio to Assisi is a rewarding short pilgrimage of a few days. Spring and autumn are the best seasons.

Stage lengths, waymarking and official documents are published on the route’s reference website, viadifrancesco.it. Always check it for current details and diversions.

The routes

Route	From and to	Main places	Typical duration
Northern route	La Verna to Assisi	Sansepolcro, Città di Castello, Pietralunga, Gubbio, Valfabbrica	About 8 to 10 walking days
Short northern section	Gubbio to Assisi	Biscina area, Valfabbrica	A few days
Southern route	Assisi to Rome	Spello, Foligno, Trevi, Spoleto, the Rieti valley	Several weeks to Rome

The northern route: La Verna to Assisi

The northern route starts at La Verna, the mountain sanctuary in Tuscany where Francis is said to have received the stigmata. It descends through forests to the upper Tiber valley, passes Sansepolcro and Città di Castello and enters Umbria’s green hills. After Pietralunga, it reaches Gubbio, then continues through quiet countryside via Valfabbrica to Assisi, where the last view of the town and basilica across the valley is a moment many walkers remember.

Our page on Gubbio helps if you want to spend a rest day there.

The short version: Gubbio to Assisi

This section is popular with walkers who want the pilgrimage experience without taking two weeks off. It crosses lonely hills, oak woods and small hamlets and ends in Assisi. Gubbio is reached by bus from Perugia; from Assisi, trains run back to Perugia and on to Florence or Rome.

The southern route: Assisi towards Rome

From Assisi, the southern route heads through Spello and Foligno, past Trevi to Spoleto, then through the Valnerina and into the Rieti valley, with its Franciscan sanctuaries, before continuing to Rome. Variants exist, so follow the official stage descriptions.

The credential and the Testimonium

The credential is the pilgrim’s passport. You collect stamps along the way, in churches, hostels and town halls, and it gives access to pilgrim accommodation. The official credential for the Way of St Francis is provided by the Franciscan communities of Assisi; the route website explains how to request it and recommends doing so at least three weeks before you leave.

At the end, walkers who have completed a qualifying distance on foot, by bike or on horseback can receive the Testimonium, a certificate issued in Assisi or in Rome. Check the current minimum distance and office hours on the official website.

When to go

April to June: green landscape, flowers and comfortable temperatures. Easter brings more pilgrims.
July and August: hot in the valleys. Start at dawn, carry plenty of water and expect some accommodation to close in August.
September and October: stable weather and harvest season. The feast of St Francis on 3 and 4 October makes Assisi very busy.
Winter: possible on lower sections, but short days, mud and closed accommodation make it harder.

Where to sleep

Accommodation ranges from simple pilgrim hostels in convents and parishes to B&Bs, small hotels and agriturismi. In some villages there is only one place to stay, so check availability before you set off each day. Some pilgrim hostels work on a donation basis and require a credential.

Packing and safety

Footwear: broken-in walking boots or trail shoes; the route includes rocky paths and steep sections.
Water: some stages have few villages and fountains. Carry enough for the hottest part of the day.
Navigation: follow the waymarks and carry a map or GPS track from the official website, as signs can be missing or damaged.
Weather: check forecasts, avoid exposed ridges in thunderstorms and adjust stages in heat.
Health: this guide cannot judge your personal fitness. If you have medical conditions, speak to a doctor before a multi-day walk, and keep the European emergency number 112 in mind.
Luggage: in the main season, luggage transfer services are offered on parts of the route; ask your accommodation.

Arriving in Assisi

Ending the walk in Assisi means entering a town that has welcomed pilgrims for eight centuries. Leave time to visit the Basilica of St Francis, to collect your Testimonium and to see the town’s quieter corners described in our guide to things to do in Assisi.

Getting to the start

La Verna lies in Tuscany and is reached by bus from Arezzo or Bibbiena, with limited services; plan the connection carefully. Gubbio is reached by bus from Perugia. Assisi, Spello, Foligno and Spoleto all have railway stations on the line through Umbria.