Piazza Grande in Gubbio with the Palazzo dei Consoli and people walking in the square

Stage 14

5. from Gubbio to Eremo di San Pietro in Vigneto

Description

Walking
This leg retraces, in reverse, one of the most important journeys of Saint Francis: once he had made the prophetic gesture of stripping himself of all property in front of the bishop of Assisi, he headed towards Gubbio, where he was welcomed as a pilgrim by his friend Spadalonga.
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From

Gubbio

To

Eremo di San Pietro in Vigneto

Distance

16,30 km

Increase in altitude

+ 396m

Loss of altitude

- 436m

Surface

Asphalt – Dirt road

Travel time

5h 30'

There are numerous accommodations to break the distance of the journey. Along this road Saint Francis proclaimed himself "herald of the Great King" in the face of the brigands who beat him up. He arrived in a monastery (Vallgeni Abbey), where he was reluctantly welcomed and put to work as a kitchen boy.
Saint Francis, as a pilgrim, faced numerous challenges and difficulties, but it is these that make the journey unique for anyone who decides to follow in his steps. The first stretch out of Gubbio is on asphalt and you need to be careful. You then continue on a dirt road and, having reached the ridge, it is worth turning around to say goodbye to Gubbio.
Continue through the valley of the Chiascio River and the castles located at the top of the slopes. In the distance, on clear days, you can glimpse the mass of Mount Subasio. You reach the small church of Ripe or Madonna delle Grazie, one of the most heartwarming  places on the Via, where the memories of the passage of pilgrims are preserved. Stop here and meditate.
Afterwards, you start to climb through coniferous woods to reach the Hermitage of San Pietro in Vigneto. In this area you will receive a pilgrim’s welcome.