The Way of St. Francis from La Verna to Rieti through Assisi

[Kunter]

Last April - May, my wife and I hiked the Way of St. Francis in Italy from La Verna to Rieti through Assisi. From the USA, we flew into Rome, took a train to Florence for a two-day stop and took a bus to La Verna. From Rieti, we took a train to Rome to fly back home. We covered about 330 km in 21 walking days. We used three different guide books to customize our course. It was a different experience than the Camino Frances which we walked in 2022. Maybe due to our age (67 and 71) and some knee problems, the hills were challenging for us, especially the downhill. Hiking sticks were very useful. We did not see many people on the trail. There were not many towns or villages along our daily routes so we had to make sure we had enough food and water in our backpacks. Many sections of the trail were rocky and narrow which made it difficult when it was wet. It rained frequently during our trip. Some portions of the trail were not well marked and it was confusing at times due to multiple markings by different organizations. GPX files were very helpful. We mostly stayed in private rooms offered by B&Bs or local hotels. We reserved rooms in advance due to lack of alternative towns along the trail and the places we stayed were also visited by the tourists. Some portions of the trail were on very busy and narrow highways. We avoided these sections by taking a taxi to another spot and walking from there. We also took a taxi at times when the hills were steep and long and/or rain was forecasted for the day.

We found the cost for room and food to be about 20-25% higher than the Camino Frances. Our very limited Italian was not an issue. Google translate was very handy but also most people spoke enough English to communicate. People were extremely helpful and friendly. The food was amazingly delicious. The scenery was breathtaking. Overall, the whole experience was wonderful and memorable. We would like to do more hikes in Italy. We will try to plan it in a way where we only walk 10-12 km a day, avoid portions of the trail with steep and long hills, and maybe stay longer at the overnight stops to enjoy more of the local culture, people and food.

If you are interested, I can provide more information on our particular course, places we stayed, and the guide books we used. Grazie mille.

 

[Hiking starts at 75]

Last April - May, my wife and I hiked the Way of St. Francis in Italy from La Verna to Rieti through Assisi. From the USA, we flew into Rome, took a train to Florence for a two-day stop and took a bus to La Verna. From Rieti, we took a train to Rome to fly back home. We covered about 330 km in 21 walking days. We used three different guide books to customize our course. It was a different experience than the Camino Frances which we walked in 2022. Maybe due to our age (67 and 71) and some knee problems, the hills were challenging for us, especially the downhill. Hiking sticks were very useful. We did not see many people on the trail. There were not many towns or villages along our daily routes so we had to make sure we had enough food and water in our backpacks. Many sections of the trail were rocky and narrow which made it difficult when it was wet. It rained frequently during our trip. Some portions of the trail were not well marked and it was confusing at times due to multiple markings by different organizations. GPX files were very helpful. We mostly stayed in private rooms offered by B&Bs or local hotels. We reserved rooms in advance due to lack of alternative towns along the trail and the places we stayed were also visited by the tourists. Some portions of the trail were on very busy and narrow highways. We avoided these sections by taking a taxi to another spot and walking from there. We also took a taxi at times when the hills were steep and long and/or rain was forecasted for the day.

We found the cost for room and food to be about 20-25% higher than the Camino Frances. Our very limited Italian was not an issue. Google translate was very handy but also most people spoke enough English to communicate. People were extremely helpful and friendly. The food was amazingly delicious. The scenery was breathtaking. Overall, the whole experience was wonderful and memorable. We would like to do more hikes in Italy. We will try to plan it in a way where we only walk 10-12 km a day, avoid portions of the trail with steep and long hills, and maybe stay longer at the overnight stops to enjoy more of the local culture, people and food.

If you are interested, I can provide more information on our particular course, places we stayed, and the guide books we used. Grazie mille.

I would like to receive more info, my daughter and I am thinking to Visit the Piedmont province next year and then walking to Rome. elmamalan@vodamail.co.za

 

[Kunter]

Here is more info on our itinerary, etc. Thank you for your interest.

 

[Edward Awad]

Thank you so much, Kunter, for the information. My wife and I are planning on walking the via de Francesco from Florence to Assisi in June 2024.
I have walked 3 caminos in the past, Frances, del norte, and primitivo. I am interested in trying something new, so we decided to try pilgrimage routes in Italy, starting with the Way of St. Francis.

Peace and every good

 

[Kunter]

I think you will really enjoy it. We were planning to do Francigena in next Spring, but I had an unexpected bypass surgery in August, so I am not sure I I will be cleared by my cardiologist by then. Italy and Italians are perfect ingredients for memorable Camino. Stay healthy and thank you.

 

[Edward Awad]

I think you will really enjoy it. We were planning to do Francigena in next Spring, but I had an unexpected bypass surgery in August, so I am not sure I I will be cleared by my cardiologist by then. Italy and Italians are perfect ingredients for memorable Camino. Stay healthy and thank you.

Thanks, Kunter! Wishing you good health and many future caminos.

 

[JCHikes]

My husband and I are planning to do Via di Francesco from La Verna to Assisi with another couple in April-May 2025. This will be our first camino or anything like this so I am very excited but a bit nervous. I appreciate your itinerary. You mentioned it was rainy - how bad were the trails that time of year? I'm wanting to pack as light as possible so wondering about temp/weather for gear planning. Any advice or recommendations are most welcome.

 

[Kunter]

The rainy conditions made the narrow, hilly, and rocky portions of the trails challenging. We did fall down a couple of times when there was a considerable slope and the ground was covered with leaves from the trees. In terms of gear, we each had fleece jacket, windbreaker / rain jacket, poncho, and leg gaiters. We used them all as the conditions changed. Hope this helps. Enjoy! It is fun!