Via di Francesco (Italy)

[Jean & Claude]

Good morning. After having walked, 3 (Frances, VdlP, CP and Fisterra) Camino to Santiago, we thought that this year we should ‘experience’ another Way. So in a few short days we fly off to Italy and will be walking the Via di Francesco from Assisi to Rome (though I wish we had more time so we could start from Florence, but that’s another story.).
I have to admit, for some reason, I am nervous as I dearly hope we won’t be disappointed because this Camino won’t lead us to Santiago. Hmmm, am I being silly - we will be ending this Camino at the Vatican after all…
Just wanted to share … wishing everyone, wherever their Way will lead …. Buen Camino!

 

[jungleboy]

Enjoy! I loved it, especially the Assisi to Rieti stretch. I hope you’re in good form because your camino will start with a big uphill climb straight out of Assisi!

If you have any questions, shoot.

 

[PaulG]

Good morning. After having walked, 3 (Frances, VdlP, CP and Fisterra) Camino to Santiago, we thought that this year we should ‘experience’ another Way. So in a few short days we fly off to Italy and will be walking the Via di Francesco from Assisi to Rome (though I wish we had more time so we could start from Florence, but that’s another story.).
I have to admit, for some reason, I am nervous as I dearly hope we won’t be disappointed because this Camino won’t lead us to Santiago. Hmmm, am I being silly - we will be ending this Camino at the Vatican after all…
Just wanted to share … wishing everyone, wherever their Way will lead …. Buen Camino!

I've done 3 different pilgrimage walks in Italy. Don't expect it to be like in Spain but you’ll have a wonderful experience for other reasons. Not the destination which is a large city, but the journey, food, sites, countryside, history and people.

 

[grdemedeiros]

How exciting! I can't wait to hear more. My husband and I have been dreaming of the Camino de Santiago for years, but recently have shifted our attention to the Via di Francesco. Though I'm not Catholic, I have a more personal connection with Saint Francis as compared to Saint James; my family visited Assisi frequently when I was a child so I know many of the stories about him and Saint Clare.

 

[grdemedeiros]

Enjoy! I loved it, especially the Assisi to Rieti stretch. I hope you’re in good form because your camino will start with a big uphill climb straight out of Assisi!

If you have any questions, shoot.

We've listened to your podcast about the different Camino de Santiago routes you've walked, do you have an episode or series on Via di Francesco?

 

[Jean & Claude]

Enjoy! I loved it, especially the Assisi to Rieti stretch. I hope you’re in good form because your camino will start with a big uphill climb straight out of Assisi!

If you have any questions, shoot.

Thanks so much for your reply, Nick. I have Camino friends who went last year with a group, which is where I got the “bug” to go. (My husband just goes along with me ). I’ve read your blog, and thought you stopped at Assisi - I’ll have to go back and find more.
I think we’re relatively fit 60 somethings - we successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in January … can anything be tougher than that
Only one question … do you recommend boots - for the mountain parts (only) or will my Lone Peaks do (it’s the weight thing …)
You’re a great Camino ambassador - all the best. Jean

 

[jungleboy]

We've listened to your podcast about the different Camino de Santiago routes you've walked, do you have an episode or series on Via di Francesco?

Unfortunately not as I didn’t get around to it, and Wendy wasn’t with me so the usual dynamic would have been missing. The best I can offer is my live thread on this forum.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/via-di-francesco.77193/

 

[jungleboy]

I’ve read your blog, and thought you stopped at Assisi - I’ll have to go back and find more.

Elle and Rich, who I walked the first part with, stopped at Assisi, and I continued solo to Rome.

Only one question … do you recommend boots - for the mountain parts (only) or will my Lone Peaks do (it’s the weight thing …)

Each to their own but I have never worn boots on a camino. I wear what you might call ‘hiking shoes’ instead, Colombia brand from Decathlon. So I don’t think boots are necessary but if you’re comfortable in boots, go for it.

You’re a great Camino ambassador - all the best. Jean

Thank you!

 

[Jean & Claude]

I've done 3 different pilgrimage walks in Italy. Don't expect it to be like in Spain but you’ll have a wonderful experience for other reasons. Not the destination which is a large city, but the journey, food, sites, countryside, history and people.

Thank you Paul

 

[DMSyracuse]

I don't think you'll be disappointed - I've completed the Via DiFrancesco in 2 pilgrimages - Florence to Assisi in 2019 and last May Rome to Assisi. If interested, you can take a look at my blog from last year when I walked Rome to Assisi although you're going in the other direction you'll most likely stay in many of the same towns. The Rieti and Spoleto valleys are something special to behold - you'll experience such breathtaking views, beautiful hilltop towns, amazing food and the spirit of Saint Francis is throughout the entire walk. Definitely a different experience than the Camino (I've also done CF, CP) but a pilgrimage in its own right. Buon Cammino!

 

[Pilgrim 122]

I agree the Via di Francesco is a wonderful route, i walked from Florence to Assisi and then Assisi to Rome. I really enjoyed visiting all the places associated with the life of St Francis, especially La Verna and Assisi of course. I love walking in Italy, I'm sure you will have a great time.

 

[Kevin Considine]

Good morning. After having walked, 3 (Frances, VdlP, CP and Fisterra) Camino to Santiago, we thought that this year we should ‘experience’ another Way. So in a few short days we fly off to Italy and will be walking the Via di Francesco from Assisi to Rome (though I wish we had more time so we could start from Florence, but that’s another story.).
I have to admit, for some reason, I am nervous as I dearly hope we won’t be disappointed because this Camino won’t lead us to Santiago. Hmmm, am I being silly - we will be ending this Camino at the Vatican after all…
Just wanted to share … wishing everyone, wherever their Way will lead …. Buen Camino!

I have walked 20 Caminos and several other pilgrimages around the world. I loved Via Francesco and strongly recommend it. Walked Rome to Assisi in 2020 and Florence to Rome in 2022. It was rugged, mountainous, great food, wonderful accommodations and most of all the spirit of Francis was prevalent all along the pilgrimage. Here is a detailed comparison of Via Francesco with the Camino:

How The Way of St. Francis (Via Francesco) Is Different From The Camino de Santiago

Having walked a good many pilgrimages around the world, I would highly recommend the Via Francesco (Way of St. Francis) to pilgrims seeking a pilgrimage beyond the Camino de Santiago. Especially for Christians and those

globalpilgrim.net

 

[VNwalking]

If you have any questions, shoot.

I will pipe up with one, Nick.

This has been on my list for ages, so when I was in Santiago last week I bought a guidebook from Ivar. And now I wonder if it's doable. Many stages look long and hard, and my last short walk in Spain (the tail-end of the Primitivo from Lugo) gave the sense that age is making once-easy distances much harder. It could just be loss of fitness unrelated to age, I don’t know. But sheesh. The stages on this walk look hard right off the bat.

Are relatively short stages possible (~20km)?
Lack of services between endpoints is no problem, but needing to walk hills and distance at the same time may be.

 

[Jean & Claude]

I have walked 20 Caminos and several other pilgrimages around the world. I loved Via Francesco and strongly recommend it. Walked Rome to Assisi in 2020 and Florence to Rome in 2022. It was rugged, mountainous, great food, wonderful accommodations and most of all the spirit of Francis was prevalent all along the pilgrimage. Here is a detailed comparison of Via Francesco with the Camino:

How The Way of St. Francis (Via Francesco) Is Different From The Camino de Santiago

Having walked a good many pilgrimages around the world, I would highly recommend the Via Francesco (Way of St. Francis) to pilgrims seeking a pilgrimage beyond the Camino de Santiago. Especially for Christians and those

globalpilgrim.net

Kevin, thanks for this - so opportune to read this morning as we leave (Ottawa, Canada) in one short day! We are flying to Florence for 2 days before taking the train to Assisi and start walking from there (it was a time thing…). I booked 2 nights in Assisi so I really hope we will be able to visit the important “St Francis sites”. I thoroughly enjoyed your blog. Thanks again and happy trails

 

[Jean & Claude]

I agree the Via di Francesco is a wonderful route, i walked from Florence to Assisi and then Assisi to Rome. I really enjoyed visiting all the places associated with the life of St Francis, especially La Verna and Assisi of course. I love walking in Italy, I'm sure you will have a great time.

Thank you for this, we’re leaving tomorrow … getting excited!

 

[Jean & Claude]

I don't think you'll be disappointed - I've completed the Via DiFrancesco in 2 pilgrimages - Florence to Assisi in 2019 and last May Rome to Assisi. If interested, you can take a look at my blog from last year when I walked Rome to Assisi although you're going in the other direction you'll most likely stay in many of the same towns. The Rieti and Spoleto valleys are something special to behold - you'll experience such breathtaking views, beautiful hilltop towns, amazing food and the spirit of Saint Francis is throughout the entire walk. Definitely a different experience than the Camino (I've also done CF, CP) but a pilgrimage in its own right. Buon Cammino!

Thank you DM - loved reading your blog! The excitement is building

 

[jungleboy]

I will pipe up with one, Nick.

This has been on my list for ages, so when I was in Santiago last week I bought a guidebook from Ivar. And now I wonder if it's doable. Many stages look long and hard, and my last short walk in Spain (the tail-end of the Primitivo from Lugo) gave the sense that age is making once-easy distances much harder. It could just be loss of fitness unrelated to age, I don’t know. But sheesh. The stages on this walk look hard right off the bat.

Are relatively short stages possible (~20km)?
Lack of services between endpoints is no problem, but needing to walk hills and distance at the same time may be.

On the ‘distance-elevation problem scale’, I’d say the bigger issue by a fair way is elevation. There are a lot of ups and downs on the VdF. IIRC, I did 7-8 stages of approx 1000m ascent and the same in descent. Obviously shorter stages would lessen that a bit. But the overall ascent from La Verna to Rome was something like 14,000m and there’s no getting around that!

I think short stages are pretty manageable. There are usually intermediate villages, and often agriturismo places on the camino where you can stay without even needing a village (a good trick). @Elle Bieling has an accommodation map/file for the VdF which would be great for planning out stages.

Honestly, I loved the VdF. I think it’s my second favourite pilgrimage walk after the Nascente. So if you can manage the hills, the rewards are certainly there. As mentioned before, Assisi to Rieti was my favourite stretch.

 

[VNwalking]

So if you can manage the hills, the rewards are certainly there. As mentioned before, Assisi to Rieti was my favourite stretch.

Ups are fine, if slow. It's the downs that are interesting. Thanks, Nick. Very clear. With short stage possibilities it would be fine.

 

[grdemedeiros]

Unfortunately not as I didn’t get around to it, and Wendy wasn’t with me so the usual dynamic would have been missing. The best I can offer is my live thread on this forum.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/via-di-francesco.77193/

Thank you, your thread is super helpful

 

[Jean & Claude]

Hi everyone. Well we’re one month Post Camino - arriving in Rome on May 13. Great Camino - a tough one with all the mountainous ups and downs - we kept our mileage reasonable and I pre booked places to stay (can share if anyone would like). And so, while it didn’t have the Camino de Santiago “feel”, loved the scenery, just about everything Italy and I’m glad we did it! Buen camino everyone!

 

[jungleboy]

We've listened to your podcast about the different Camino de Santiago routes you've walked, do you have an episode or series on Via di Francesco?

Better late than never! Our podcast episode on the Via di Francesco is now live!

 

[VNwalking]

Better late than never! Our podcast episode on the Via di Francesco is now live!

Thanks, Nick!
Google podcasts is dead, alas, and so far the episode hasn't appeared on Pocket Casts. But when it does, looking forward to hearing it.

 

[jungleboy]

Google podcasts is dead, alas, and so far the episode hasn't appeared on Pocket Casts. But when it does, looking forward to hearing it.

That's strange. I just checked Podcast Casts and I don't see the new episode there either. But it's been up on other podcast apps/platforms for a good few hours now. Hopefully it's worth the wait!

 

[VNwalking]

It will be!

 

[jungleboy]

Google podcasts is dead, alas, and so far the episode hasn't appeared on Pocket Casts. But when it does, looking forward to hearing it.

Up now!

 

[grdemedeiros]

Thanks Nick, I can't wait to hear it once we're back home from our Camino.