Il Cammino di San Francesco » Walking routes

1° leg: La Verna – Pieve Santo Stefano

admin — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 14:21:57 +0000

Begin by leaving the La Verna sanctuary, having first filled your canteen with water (the next source of potable water is at Pieve Santo Stefano). Pass the statue depicting the famous episode in the life of Saint Francis in which the saint persuaded a child transporting doves to market to free them, instead, (FF 1853) and continue along the road as it descends. At the curve, leave the road and take the unpaved trail which leads straight into the woods, following the signage for “Croce della Calla – Sentiero Frassati” (km 0.60). Continue as the trail skirts the thick woods until the fork. At the fork, take the ascent to the left, following the signage for “Sentiero Frassati – Anello Basso – CAI 50 – 55” (km 0.95). Continue straight past a number of forks to the left until reaching Croce della Calla, 1.140 MAMSL, (km 1.19), where you will first take the fork to the right, and then turn right again following the wooden signage for “Tre Vescovi”. Begin the steep climb until the trail forks (km 1.34), where you will continue toward the right, skirting a pine grove. Begin another steep climb on trail 50, following the painted signage along the route. The trail climbs to a conifer wood (km 1.91) and curves to the left. At the painted signage for “GEA 50” and a “Tau” on the bark of a tree, begin climbing to the right until the peak (km 2.03) of Monte Calvano, 1250 MAMSL. Continue straight to the meadow, where you will find signage for “Cammino di San Vicinio and Monte Calvano 1253 mslm”. Stop for a moment to take in the uninterrupted panoramic view of the Apennine mountain chain from this treeless meadow. Cross the length of the meadow, maintaining your altitude and continuing straight until your reach the wooden arrows at the far end. Take the trail to the left, following the signage for “Pieve S. Stefano – Cerbaiolo – CAI 50” descending along a shaded tractor track. At the fork (km 2.79) keep right, continuing toward Pieve S. Stefano. At the next crossroad, descend to the left, passing a green gate and pausing again to take in the gorgeous Apennine countryside. After 500 meters, pass two gates and descend to the fork (km 4.22), where you will turn left towards Poggio Tre Vescovi. At the intersection (km 4.33), continue straight, following the vertical signage until you reach Passo delle Pratelle, 1075 MAMSL. Here you will take the wide trail 066. You will come to a series of two crossroads; at the first continue straight, at the second veer right (there is a metal fence to the left). At the signage (km 5.3) indicating “Assisi – Pieve S. Stefano – Cerbaiolo”, leave the tractor track to begin climbing trail 075. After little over 1 kilometer into the woods, the trail leads into a wide tractor track which climbs to the top of Monte della Modina, 1181 MAMSL. From the peak (km 6.19), follow the CAI trail 075 toward Pieve S. Stefano. Here you will cross about 1.5 kilometers of thick woods; keep a careful eye out for the red and white painted trail markings. The trail begins to widen and forks (km 8.26); veer right. Continue for a level stretch until you reach the crossroad (km 8.87); here follow the signage for “Pieve S. Stefano” along trail 075. After passing over a chain roadblock, the trail becomes a sunny unpaved road. Begin descending past a green antenna tower (km 9.2) until reaching the main road. Near a grouping of houses and the Asnavara riding stable (km 11.5), continue straight in the direction of Pieve S. Stefano. Take the asphalt road and continue through two crossroads (km 12.1 and km 13.15), following the signage for “Pieve S. Stefano”. Cross over the highway overpass, coming out on Via della Casina, which you follow until the road ends. At the intersection (km 13.77) with the SP Tiberina, turn right following the vertical signage until you reach the Città del Diario (km 15).

L'articolo 1° leg: La Verna – Pieve Santo Stefano sembra essere il primo su Il Cammino di San Francesco.

2° leg: Pieve Santo Stefano – Sansepolcro

admin — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 14:22:50 +0000

Depart from Piazza delle Logge del Grano taking Via delle Antiche Prigioni, which crosses a bridge over the Tiber River. At the end of the bridge (km 0.2), take care: the signage directs you to turn left, where there is a rather difficult marked trail through the woods. Instead, we suggest you turn right onto an unmarked but asphalted road, continuing until you reach the Church of Madonna dei Lumi. After passing the church, you arrive at a traffic circle; take Via Canonico Coupers. Continue along the side of this asphalted road, turning left at the brown signage for “Cerbaiolo” (km 1.2) and following the road as it climbs. At the fork (km 4.73) marked by a cross, begin climbing towards L’Eremo di Cerbaiolo. After about 600 meters, there is another fork (km 5.24); from here pick up the marked trail. Those interested in visiting the Eremo del Cerbaiolo need to take the steep climb to the right for 1 km; those who wish to continue on, stay left on the steep climb towards “Viamaggio – Sansepolcro – Assisi”. At Poggio delle Calbane, 800 MAMSL, continue climbing. At the fork (km 6.5) stay right, then keep right again soon afterwards at the crossroads for “Passo di Viamaggio”. Pass Fonte delle Rupine and, at the crossroads with the red and white signage (km 7.18), turn left. Continue, keeping close watch for the red and white painted markings. Pass through the gate (km 7.53) (if you find it closed, remember to close it behind you again after passing through) into the meadow; walk the length, passing a large tree on the left. At the far end of the meadow, take the tractor track which climbs to the left and offers views over the Montedoglio dam. Passing through a gate, continue to the signage (km 8.18) for trail “02” and “Viamaggio”. The trail comes out near a shed for livestock (km 8.48); take the tractor track on the right, passing a gate and trough on the left. The landscape becomes alpine here. After reaching a yellow building (km 9.4), follow the signage to the left for the rigorous climb to Passo di Viamaggio, 983 MAMSL (km 9.8). From here, take the road on the right which descends to the cafè/restaurant where you can purchase food and water. Take the internal alley to the end of the building, then climb to the left until reaching a metal fence. Turn left here (keeping the fence to the right). At the corner of the fence, follow the painted markings, making a hard right onto the trail running parallel to the fence. One of the toughest climbs of the entire route begins here. Use caution; the path is slippery when wet, so hiking poles are recommended. The trail runs through a thick wood along another fence. After passing over the gate using the wooden steps (km 10.2), follow the trail as it climbs slightly to the left and then skirts the metal fence. At the end of the fence, pass through the gate to the right and then climb to the left.

Climb along a barbed wire fence until passing through a gate (km 10.56). The view here opens up, and after another 100 meters you’ll find painted signage for trail “00”. The trail leaves the barbed wire fence behind and instead leads to a scenic overlook which is the perfect place to drop your load for a few minutes and catch your breath. Continue towards the highest point of the rock facing the valley, beginning to descend to the left (the trail markings are on the ground) and then taking the trail that continues to the right. After walking downhill, begin climbing (km 10.90) until reaching the painted signage, where a steep climb along a barbed wire fence on the left begins. After the pass (km 11.5), you reach the top of Monte Verde, 1147 MAMSL, a wide expanse of meadow overlooking the Sansepolcro valley. Begin to descend on the left toward a barbed wire fence, keeping it to the left. After about 300 meters, pass the gate and begin descending toward the right, skirting the fence (be cautious; the trail is slippery when wet). The worst of this leg is over; from here the walk is much more pleasant. At the crossroads (km 12.2), turn right on a wide tractor track, following the signage for “Sansepolcro”. Keep left and follow the main track of trail 00 which curves to the right toward Pian della Capanna. At Collepegli, 1047 MAMSL, (km 14.2) continue on the tractor track 8 B. The route passes between the rocky mountain slope and open fields. After about 1 km, you will enter the Riserva Naturale dell’Alpe della Luna. At the fork, veer right following the painted signage. In less than 1 km you will reach the rest area at Pian della Capanna (km 16.4). The route continues downhill for another 1.8 km through beech, oak, and hornbeam woods. Don’t take the fork for marked trail “8” but instead continue towards Aboca and Sansepolcro. When you see a farmhouse with a red tiled roof in the distance, La Spinella (a good place to break up this leg, if you choose), slow down and look carefully for the marked crossroads (km 18,8) for “Assisi – Germagnano – REV 11”. Leave the wide track here and head toward La Spinella; turn left while descending to pick up the trail markings again. This alternate route for La Montagna or Villa makes the route a bit easier. From the crossroads, continue for about 4 km without deviating from the main track. Pass the rest area with places to sit, Val di Canale, arriving in the town of La Montagna (km 23), a possible intermediate place to stop for the night.

Descend through the town until reaching the war memorial, where you will begin climbing to the left along trail 00 toward a group of houses. Pass the church of San Michele Arcangelo on the right. Soon after, you will reach Pischiano (Km 24.3), where you will turn right at the spring following the signage for “REV 10” and then descend to Montecasale. Continue straight making a steep but short climb. Continue on a rolling, picturesque trail cut from the rock. After 200 meters, pay close attention: you will need to turn left, climbing to the next trail marker which you will find on a tree trunk (km 24.7). Here, turn right and begin descending. The route continues, levelling out through brush over which the view over the horizon widens. Pass a pretty waterfall (km 26) and, at the stream (km 26.5), follow the signage to cross without getting wet. After having passed a spring, continue to the meadow (km 27.2); here the trail leads into a tractor track. At the crossroads, continue straight following the painted markings. After roughly 800 meters, pass through a barricade to the Eremo di Montecasale (km 28.6)—another good spot to break up this leg– where there a bronze statue of Saint Frances and a precious water fountain greet you. With the statue behind you, descend to the right, passing through a gate and reaching a path marked with the Stations of the Cross; begin climbing to the left. Near the convent gate, descend to the right toward Sasso Spicco and Sansepolcro. At the crossroads, follow the signage for “Sasso Spicco”, descending along a steep and narrow trail. At the next crossroads, turn left. Continue under the shade of the thick woods, turning right after 150 meters, and then immediately left (caution: the ground is slippery when wet). Continue descending along the stream. After passing a small ford (km 30), continue on until you reach a small country church (km 30.6), with a water fountain. Continue until you reach the crossroads; turn left towards Sansepolcro on the asphalted road. From this point on, the route is entirely asphalted. Ignore the verticle signage (km 31.7) directing you to turn right, and continue instead along the main road. Pass the San Francesco Bridge on the Afra River and continue until you reach the intersection with the busy Via dei Montefeltro (km 34.4). Cross and continue toward the pharmacy. Continue along Via dei Molini until the stop sign, where you will turn right to reach Porta Romana and, soon after, the Duomo di Sansepolcro (km 36).

Alternative Route through the Valley
Those who wish to avoid the steep stretches along this leg can follow the Provincial Highway 77 from Pieve to Sansepolcro. Be careful of traffic along this much shorter (19 km) and easier alternative.

L'articolo 2° leg: Pieve Santo Stefano – Sansepolcro sembra essere il primo su Il Cammino di San Francesco.

1° leg: Greccio – Rieti

admin — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 14:23:24 +0000

Leave the Franciscan sanctuary, perched on the rocky mountain slope, behind you as you begin to climb along the road. Pass the Fonte Lupetta (Km 2), “empress of mineral waters”, according to the sign, arriving in Greccio’s piazza (km 2.15), lined with cafès and restaurants. Skirt the historic center of town to the left, and continue along the tree-lined avenue, SC Greccio, ignoring the side streets. Enjoy the wonderful view of the Terminillo mountain peaks and the Valle Santa, dotted with Franciscan sanctuaries. Pass a large shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary. At the crossroads (km 3), the route descends to the left along a tractor track through thick vegetation, alternating stretches of dirt with asphalt. Through the dense woods, the Abbazia di San Pastore (km 4) appears, topped by its magnificent belltower. The trail offers a lovely view over the plain, covered in tilled fields lined with irrigation canals. You’ll need to pay close attention for the wooden “Cammino di Francesco” signage, sometimes camouflaged among the trees. Continue through the woods circling the Piana Reatina halfway up the surrounding slopes. Pick up the level asphalt road on Via delle Corone (km 5.57), passing the entrance to a restaurant (km 6.5). In less than 1 kilometer you will reach the outskirts of Consigliano—the historic village center is perched above. Leave the town along Via della Repubblica and, at the signage for San Lorenzo (km 8), be careful to turn right, leaving the busy road behind you. After passing a trough, continue along this quiet asphalted road. The ascent becomes steep, but before reaching the crest of the hill, be careful to turn left onto a wide mule track (km 8.8). The route passes under a line of trees, the roots of which look like sculptures. At the busy road on the plain, Via Giorlandina, continue toward Piani di Poggio Fidoni (km 11.6) where you will find cafès and supermarkets. After 500 meters, turn right on Via G. Venanzi. After the shrine (km 12), continue along a stone quarry. A long climb begins here, steep at the beginning but becoming more gradual. At the top (km 14.6), take in the wide view over the lakes of the Piana Reatina. After the votive strine dedicated to Sant’Anna, begin to descend to the town of Colle Sant’Elia (km 15). Pass behind the church, descending out of town. At the Santuario di Fonte Colombo (km 17.3), it’s worth the time to stop for a visit.

Leave the Sanctuary, descending along the trail which leads into this ancient woods and passing the Cappella della Fonte delle Colombe (km 18). About 500 meters after meeting back up with the road, head towards the gas station on the right along a busy road. Pay close attention to the signage here, as it is not always in plain view. Continue along the secondary Via Pistignano. After the sign for the suburb Case San Benedetto (km 20.2), turn left onto Via Pantane. You have reached the outskirts of Rieti. Take the highway underpass back onto a busy road–Via Tancia–, cross the small bridge, and, at the crossroads, continue straight on Via Di Carlo. After 800 meters, turn right at the intersection (km 21.29) and begin climbing to the left on the walking path along the Velino River on the left. Cross the bridge and continue along Via delle Mimose and then Via delle Verdura. You are, by now, in the historic center of Rieti. After completing the length of elegant Via Roma, you will arrive in the main piazza and the Cattedrale di Rieti.

L'articolo 1° leg: Greccio – Rieti sembra essere il primo su Il Cammino di San Francesco.

2° leg: Rieti – Poggio Bustone

admin — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 14:23:58 +0000

Leave from the historic center of Rieti. From the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta (1) on Via Cintia, turn right on a gradual descent in front of the statue of Saint Francis, passing under an arch after a few meters (on the corner of Via Episcopio). Continue on Via Cintia. After about 300 meters, exit the city walls and go straight through the traffic circle on to Viale Maraini (you’ll see the Guglielmo Marconi elementary school on the right). Continue straight on the sidewalk for 1 kilometer. At the large traffic circle (km 1.42), turn right on Via Giulio de Iuliis (2), following the wooden signage for “La Foresta”. At the end of Via de Iuliis ( km 2.26), turn left on Via Angelo M. Ricci and follow the signage for “Santuario La Foresta” – “Terni”. Keep right, reaching a traffic circle (in the center of which there is a sculpture dedicated to the 2000 Jubilee); continue to the right following the signage for “Santuario La Foresta”. At km 3, having left Rieti, begin to climb along the asphalt road. After 2.4 kilometers, you will reach a convent known as the Santuario di Santa Maria della Foresta or, more simply, La Foresta (km 5.40) (3). You will be welcomed by the numerous resident cats.
After stopping to visit the sanctuary, leave by taking the trail downhill to the left (following the “Cammino di Francesco” signage). Follow the trail down, which becomes an unpaved road after about 800 meters. At the fork marked by signage for “Cammino di Francesco” (km 6.56), take the track which climbs to the right. Continue until reaching a house encircled by a metal fence (km 6.7); from here follow the “Cammino di Francesco” signage along the climbing dirt road. Shortly after, the terrain becomes rocky (go slowly, taking short strides to pace yourself). Between climbs and level stretches, the route leads you to the Santuario di San Felice all’Acqua (km 8.10) (4), where you will turn right following the road signs for “Civitella” and the signage for “Cammino di Francesco”. Continue along the rolling route for around 2 kilometers until you reach the town of Cantalice Superiore (where there are cafès and grocery shops) (5). Here there is a beautiful panorama to the east over the Terminillo mountains and to the west over the Reatina plain, featuring the Lungo and Ripasottile lakes. From the overlook in front of the church of San Felice (km 10.20) in Cantalice Superiore, take the stairs down (around 300 steps) through the Medieval quarter. In the lower town, turn right onto the asphalt road toward a small square and, shortly after, right again at the signage for “Maria Ss. Delle Grazie” on to Via Giosuè Carducci (6), a narrow alley running between houses. Climb to the crossroads marked by the signage for “Cammino di Francesco – Santuario di Poggio Bustone” and turn left. Begin climbing from this crossroads (around 1.5 kilometers) along a mule track. Pass a fountain on the right, and continue on the trail through the shady woods (pacing yourself for the climb). At km 13.91, after having passed a group of houses, you will come out onto a curve in the asphalt road; turn right uphill (7) (following the signage for “Santuario di Poggio Bustone – Cammino di Francesco”). At the top of the climb you will come out near the town of San Liberato; pass through, filling up your canteen with water from the public fountain. Continue on the main asphalt road, and, roughly 400 meters after the fountain, turn left onto the unpaved road where the main road curves right (8). After 100 meters, turn right at the fork (following the signage for “Santuario di Poggio Bustone – Cammino di Francesco”), first climbing up and then down. Continue along the trail which climbs through the woods for around 2.5 kilometers, where the final tough climb to Poggio Bustone begins. This is where, according to legend, Francis, arriving for the first time in the village perched on the Apennine mountains, greeted the townspeople with the famous exclamation, “Good day, good people!” From the town, follow the marked route to the sanctuary.

L'articolo 2° leg: Rieti – Poggio Bustone sembra essere il primo su Il Cammino di San Francesco.

3° leg: Poggio Bustone – Piediluco

admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:24:07 +0000

Leaving the sanctuary of Poggio Bustone behind you, continue straight along the level road, passing the uphill road to the right and the road to the left which leads back to town. After 500 meters, keep right at the fork, climbing Via delle Casette, marked by wooden signage. After 700 meters, be careful to descend to the left at the crossroads (km 1.3); afterwards, follow the signage straight. Continue along this easy unpaved road, ignoring the crossroads and enjoying the lovely views over the Lungo and Ripasottile lakes on the Piana Reatina. At the fork (km 3.87), descend to the left, crossing the creek bed of the Fosso di Trifoglio. Shortly afterwards, descend to the left along Strada Comunale del Cepparo. Leave the road at the curve, climbing to the right to reach Cepparo (km 5.44), where there is a water fountain. Pass through the town, continuing to climb. The landscape is a patchwork of woods and pastures, dotted with barns and sheds. At the curve (Km 7.05), the more athletic can take the trail to the right–marked by a wooden pole–which climbs steeply along the hillside. Otherwise, continue along the asphalt road, which is about 2 kilometers longer but less steep. The steep trail climbs for about 700 meters, crossing the asphalt road. The routes meet up near a wooden cross (km 7.95). After the cross, descend to the left on a shady path to the Faggio di San Francesco (km 8.14). Climb along the trail to a small church (closed) along the road and turn back to the cross (km 8.5). With the cross on your right, continue downhill on the trail to the left, keeping careful watch for the yellow signage on stones and trees. The marked trail descends easily among meadows and juniper bushes. After passing a small plateau (km 9), the trail curves to the left toward the Piana Reatina and widens into a tractor track. At the asphalt (km 10.82), the descent becomes steep and the terrain alternates between stretches in asphalt and dirt. In front of the cafè-restaurant, turn left at the crossroads towards Morro Reatino. Follow the asphalt road through the villages of Le Casette (km 12.14) and Alvano; turn right here for Scilga. After the cemetary, descend until Via della Pozzolana, turning left. Where the dirt road becomes asphalt, turn right towards Colle Rucciolo. At the bus shelter–where there is a water fountain–, turn left then immediately right towards il Monte. Keep watch for a house surrounded by a blue fence (km 15.03), where you will turn right onto a mule track, then immediately left. Back on the asphalt road (km 15.39), continue climbing straight to Labro (km 15.87). After visiting the village, leave by Porta Reatina and, at the wooden fence, take the stairs down to the right. On the way down, pass the Fonte vecchia and turn right onto the steep trail. You will come out in front of a house (km 16.86) and the route levels out. In the distance you will begin to see the castle of Piediluco. Continue along the well-marked road, ignoring the crossroads. At Vocabolo Valle Spolentina (km 18.37), a historic way station between the Papal State and the Kingdom of Naples, you will meet the busy SS79. Turn right towards Piediluco. (There is a water fountain here.) This stretch is short; after 400 meters you will turn left towards the lake. The scenery changes here, as the lake creates an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Walk along the shore, passing a campground and then the Circolo Canottieri di Piediluco. Shortly after the boat club, you will meet back up with the asphalt road and, after a few hundred meters, enter the historic village of Piediluco and the Santuario di San Francesco (km 21).

L'articolo 3° leg: Poggio Bustone – Piediluco sembra essere il primo su Il Cammino di San Francesco.

3° leg: Sansepolcro – Citerna

admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:23:15 +0000

The urban route through Sansepolcro is unmarked. From the Duomo take Via Matteotti; at the corner, turn right onto Via XX Settembre and continue to the intersection with Via dei Lorena, where you will turn left. Continue on Via Senese Aretina where a bit of city traffic begins; be particularly cautious of passing vehicles, especially near traffic circles. This section is uninteresting, passing through an area of large industrial sheds. Pass under the highway overpass, reaching a yellow building on the right (km 3); turn left here towards Podere Violino on the Strada Vicinale Reglia dei Molini. There is little city traffic here, and you follow the level and asphalted main road. When you reach Gricignano (km 5.54), cross through the town and, after passing a colorful preschool building, be careful to continue straight rather than taking the Via Pio La Torre to the left, marked by a red and white sign. The road you are following now is a shortcut. In the distance you begin to see Citerna; here you will come across your first yellow and blue Saint Francis’ Way signage (km 7.48). You have now entered Umbria; from now on there will be ample signage along the route, guiding pilgrims to Assisi. At Fighille (km 8.7), turn right on Via del Pozzo, and, after 200 meters, left on Via Gabbiotti. Do not take Via Palazzo Manfroni, instead climbing first right and then left on Via del Cimitero. You are crossing the Umbrian countryside now, through tilled fields and farmhouses. After the cemetary, you will reach a curve (km 9.42). Turn left here, leaving the asphalted road for an unpaved road. When you reach the gate of a villa, descend to the left. At the end of this descent, the road becomes asphalt again and soon after you reach the foot of Citerna. From here (km 10.8), the signage directs you to turn right onto an unpaved road, but you can also continue straight on the asphalted road, ignoring the signage and reaching the Convento degli Zoccolanti (km 11.76). If, instead, you follow the signage onto the unpaved road, the route is a bit longer and at a slight incline. The two routes meet up again near the Convent, from where you continue climbing until reaching the fortified town of Citerna (Km 13).

L'articolo 3° leg: Sansepolcro – Citerna sembra essere il primo su Il Cammino di San Francesco.

4° leg: Piediluco – Arrone

admin — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:56:06 +0000

The starting point is Piediluco. Leave the Franciscan Santuary, turning right and continuing straight out of town and away from its lovely lake. Turn left (km 0.7) across the bridge, then continue left for Terni and Cascata delle Marmore. The first stretch is on asphalt along the shore of the lake. When you reach the Circolo Canottieri Piediluco 1936 boating club (km 1.47) on the left, cross the street and climb the stairs to avoid the dangerous curve. At the lot in front of the hotel, descend to the left to pick up the main road at Vocabolo Mazzelvetta. Continue straight on this busy road. After passing a house on the right, leave the asphalt road at the curve (km 2.5), following the signage on the left and passing through an opening in the guard rail. Continue along this unpaved road, skirting the fiume Velino. At the crossroads (km 3.2), continue straight past a restaurant on the right, turning left downhill by passing the guard rail. The route is very pleasant, winding between mountains and along the river. After the road block (km 5.1), continue toward the pine grove, keeping left. At the intersection (km 5.33) with the busy street, turn left and continue walking inside the guard rail. At the town of Marmore (km 6), turn right towards Vocabolo Cascata at the signage for “Cascata delle Marmore”. Walk along a building with a blue fence with white circles. At the fork near the restaurant, continue straight towards the Belvedere. Pass the Libero Liberati monument. After the campground, continue along the main road. At the lot with a grey fence on the left, enter the Parco Fluviale del Nera. Here a downhill stretch through the woods begins along an easy tractor track with short steep stretches which are not particularly difficult. Pass a masonwork bridge (km 6.8) and continue in the shade of the thick vegetation. At the bottom of the descent (km 7.25), you will reach a crossroads and continue on the level stretch to the right, leaving the road to the left behind you. The route continues level along the Valle del Fiume Nera, or Valnerina, at times skirting the river banks and at others running parallel to the river across cultivated fields. At the end of the unpaved road (km 7.8), continue along asphalt, passing an iron cross. Follow the signage for the Way, turning left at the intersection (km 8.32) and continuing along asphalt. Near the bridge–but before passing over it–,turn right along the Nera River. At the crossroads (km 10.52), continue right towards the fortified hamlet of Castel di Lago. At the town, turn left at the intersection (km 10.73) where there is a hotel to the right. After passing the town streets (km 11.13), continue along an asphalt road from where you will see Arrone in the distance. On the right, you will see the arches of the Convento di San Francesco (km 11.7). After less than 1 kilometer and an easy climb, you will reach today’s destination: Arrone (km 13).

Contatti:
IAT di Terni
Via Cassian Bon, 2-4 – 05100 Terni
Telefono: 0744423047 | Fax: 0744427259 | info@iat.terni.it

L'articolo 4° leg: Piediluco – Arrone sembra essere il primo su Il Cammino di San Francesco.

5° leg: Arrone – Ceselli

admin — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 14:22:26 +0000

Si parte dalla collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta e si prosegue su via Roma, lasciando la farmacia sulla destra. Dopo meno di 100 m, superato il cinema/teatro Valnerina, si scende sulle scalette a destra. Si costeggia un edificio di colore giallo e si cammina tenendosi sulla destra, seguendo gli abbondanti segnali in vernice giallo-blu.

Leave from the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta along Via Roma, passing a pharmacy on the right. After less than 100 meters, pass the Cinema/Teatro Valnerina and take the stairs down to the right. Continue along a yellow building, keeping right and following the yellow and blue signage. Climb up along the narrow Nera River valley, skirting boulders along the rocky mountian slopes which sometimes dislodge and roll downhill. Continue on a level stretch and, at the fork, take the unpaved road to the left towards a farmhouse. You will see Ferentillo with its two castles, Precetto and Matterella, in the distance, and the Sant’Angelo and Gabbio mountains opposite. The view is breathtaking here, crowned by the rugged mountain peaks around a fertile valley of tilled fields. At Ferentillo (km 4.85), continue along a gradual climb towards the hamlet of Precetto (km 5.4). In the tiny piazza here you can stock up on food, then keep left and continue on Via della Circonvallazione. At the flower shop, turn right onto Largo Giovanbattista Cybo (Papa Innocenzo III). Keeping the church on the right, you will pass a shrine dedicated to Nostra Signora della Fonte. Continue along the route as the street noise falls away to be replaced by uninterrupted silence and the soft background noise of rushing water. Begin a gradual climb (km 6.9) and then proceed level between fields and mountain slopes. You can catch a glimpse of the Abbazia di San Pietro in Valle and its soaring belltower perched on the slopes on the opposite side of the river. After a rolling stretch of terrain, you will reach Colleponte (km 10), which, together which Macenano on the other side of the SS 209 Valnerina highway, once formed the Capo la Terra castle. Pass through the village, keeping the river to your left, cross the small bridge, and turn first right and then immediately left. The route continues along an easy road, with alternating unpaved and asphalted stretches. After the shrine (km 12.3), continue another kilometer; you will shortly see Ceselli in the distance, nestled on the hillside on the opposite bank of the river. At Osteria di Ceselli (km 14.3), turn left to cross the bridge over the Nera and then the SS 209 Valnerina highway, keeping watch for fast-moving traffic. Ceselli is on the hilltop; to reach it, turn left following the SS 209 and then climb to the right (km 15).

Contatti:
IAT di Terni
Via Cassian Bon, 2-4 – 05100 Terni
Telefono: 0744423047 | Fax: 0744427259 | info@iat.terni.it

L'articolo 5° leg: Arrone – Ceselli sembra essere il primo su Il Cammino di San Francesco.

6° leg: Ceselli – Spoleto

admin — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 14:18:23 +0000

From the intersection with the SS 209 Valnerina highway, you will ascend along the Valle di Pontuglia tucked between mountain slopes. Walk with the stream to your left, first taking Via Contaglia and then keeping left on Via Pontuglia. After the mill and near the village of Pontuglia (km 1.9), turn left and pass the stream. Begin the long, progressive climb that will lead you to the Castelmonte saddle in about 6 kilometers. The route begins on asphalt; pace yourself, walking slowly and conserving your energy. At the solitary country cemetary (km 3.7), turn right on an uphill rocky road (slippery when wet; use hiking poles). Following the signage, continue climbing. After passing a shallow stream, take a look behind you to enjoy the wide view over the valley, Monte Civitella, and the dramatic bare rock face opposite. The trail continues into the thick woods, alternating between short climbs and level stretches. Cross the shallow stream and, after a steep climb, enter the piazza of the abandoned village of Sensati (km 6.8), where you can stop and rest.
Climb toward the right, passing the village’s main street. The signage is easy to follow, but the marked trail narrows (use caution) and curves first to the right and then to the left. In less than 1 kilometer you will reach the tough Valico di Castelmonte saddle, 933 MAMSL (km 8), which marks the border between the Valle Spoletana plain and the mountainous Valnerina. After a few steep, wooded stretches (km 10.4), you will come out onto an asphalt road. Here you can decide to stop for the night at the hamlet of Patrico, about 700 meters along the road to the left. The route, instead, crosses this asphalt road and continues straight along the trail which skirts a metal fence. Near a hamlet, you will pass an old water fountain. After a short stretch along asphalt, turn left onto a mule track. At the picnic and barbeque area (km 13), follow the asphalt and then turn right into a pine grove. Follow the signage for Monteluco at the fork. You will be back on an asphalt road which runs along a number of art nouveau-style houses; you are nearing the Convento di San Francesco and the Bosco Sacro di Monteluco (km 14.3). This is a moving and compelling place, inspiring modern visitors to pause in contemplation just like the ancient Syrian hermits who first settled in these grottoes. Keep climbing left to the lot, from which you will descend to Spoleto beneath the shade of ancient beech and holm oak trees. The route downhill—at times steep–is lined with a number of pretty shrines and hermitages: the Eremo di San Girolamo, the Eremo delle Grazie, and the church of San Paolo Protoeremita. Between the trees, you will catch glimpses of the Rocca Albornoziana fortress and the town of Spoleto stretching out below. In less than 2 kilometers you will reach the Ponte delle Torri (km 16), which bridges the gulley between the town and its wood and is exhilarating to cross. Once you reach the bottom of the fortress, ignore the signage directing you to continue left, instead turning right to enjoy the magnificent view over the valley and the next legs of the route. After circling the fortress, descend along Via Aurelio Saffi as the narrow road suddenly and surprisingly opens onto the wide piazza, dominated by the facade of the Cattedrale di Spoleto (km 17).

Contatti:
IAT della Valnerina-Cascia
P.zza Garibaldi, 1 – 06043 Cascia
Telefono: 074371147 | Fax: 074376630 | info@iat.cascia.pg.it

L'articolo 6° leg: Ceselli – Spoleto sembra essere il primo su Il Cammino di San Francesco.

4° leg: Citerna – Città di Castello

admin — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 14:14:31 +0000

Leave Citerna on Via Garibaldi in the opposite direction from which you entered

Following the signage, begin to descend until reaching a crossroads with a small shrine. Turn right toward the Eremo del Buon Riposo and Città di Castello here. The route has long stretches under the sun, so remember your hat and water. You will be walking on an asphalt road which intersects another with heavy traffic (km 2.77), which you will leave after about 100 meters, turning right onto an unpaved road at the crossroads. The route begins to climb among horse-chestnuts and oaks, though there are no steep stretches. At the marked fork (km 4.91), turn left and and, after 300 meters, continue steeply to the right. Soon you will reach Le Burgne (km 5.26). The route here climbs and descends, with more or less level stretches, and is not challenging. From here you can enjoy a 180 degree view over the Tiber valley and Umbrian landscape, with its patchwork of hills, villages, woods, and churches. At the marked crossroads (km 6.76), discend to the right. Here there have been reports of dogs; if you encounter them, proceed at a distance without breaking into a run. Often, just bending over to pick up a stone is enough to frighten them off. At the bottom of the descent, you will arrive at località Caldese (km 8.12), where you will walk a brief stretch of asphalt and then take a dirt road which runs along a buffalo ranch (km 8.70). The route begins to climb until reaching the top of the hill (km 9.62). At the località San Lorenzo crossroads (km 10.85) near the land belonging to the Archeologia Arborea Association, the signage has been corrected with paint and you descend to the left for Lerchi. From here, if you continue along Via Toscana (which has narrow stretches with no pedestrian shoulder), you could arrive in Città di Castello in less than an hour. If you prefer to lengthen the walk but avoid traffic, turn right at la Chiesa della Madonna della Speranza (km 12). Begin climbing a dirt road until reaching a pretty shrine dedicated to the Madonna at località Varzo (km 14.52), 516 MAMSL. From here, continue on a level stretch until the crossroads; turn left, following the painted markings on a tree. You will begin to see the cylindrical belltower of Città di Castello’s duomo in the distance. Shortly after, a votive shrine (km 15.2) and iron cross mark the Eremo Francescano del Buon Riposo. Begin descending along a wood to reach the foresteria di Villa la Montesca (km 17.63). The route continues without intersections on level asphalt; near a grey gate, descend to the right as the route becomes more steep. At the highway overpass, you will reach the outskirts of Città di Castello. Continue along Via Romolo Carpini, until the crossroads to cross the bridge over the Tiber (km 19.63). At the traffic circle, keep left and take Via Nazario Sauro; after less than 500 meters, begin climbing on the road to the right: Via Pomerio Rodolfo Sivieri. The simple and elegant facade of the Duomo di Città di Castello (km 20.5) greets pilgrims traveling to Assisi.

Contatti:
IAT dell’Alta Valle del Tevere
Piazza Matteotti – Logge Bufalini 06012 Città di Castello
Telefono: 0758554922 | Fax: 0758552100 |info@iat.citta-di-castello.pg.it

L'articolo 4° leg: Citerna – Città di Castello sembra essere il primo su Il Cammino di San Francesco.