solitude and meditation on path to francesco

Tuscany: from the Sanctuary of La Verna in Pieve Santo Stefano through the Forests of the Casentino Park.

Stage 1 - from La Verna to Pieve Santo Stefano

Description

Walking
After having visited and meditated in the places of St Francis in La Verna, the first leg of the journey begins. It has challenging height differences, but the journey brings pilgrims closer to the beauty of nature proclaimed by Francis. The path leads through the woods as far as Pieve Santo Stefano.To discover and learn more about the stages of the Ways of Saint Francis in Tuscany:Ways of Saint Francis in Tuscany-Click here

From

La Verna (Arezzo)

To

Pieve Santo Stefano (Arezzo)

Distance

14,9 Km

Increase in altitude

+ 475

Loss of altitude

- 1180

Surface

gravel roadpath-tarmac

Road Sign

yes (red-white CAI (Italian Alpine Club) signs + Yellow Tau and yellow/blue signs)

Travel time

5 hours

Water sources

yes

Resting areas

yes

Non est in toto sanctior orbe mons, say the words of an inscription located inside the Sanctuary. La Verna is not only the departure point, but one of the most sacred and captivating places of the entire journey. We advise you to spend the whole day here before your departure, in order to prepare yourself spiritually, by visiting the places that inspired St Francis. This leg is one of medium difficulty, the climb is gradual, but there are a few steep areas on Mount Calvano and Mount Modina, which serve to get your legs accustomed to the walk to Assisi.The leg is approximately 15 km long and should be tackled slowly while enjoying the beauty of the woods, which are at their most lush in this area. There are water fountains at the beginning and at the end of the leg and there are no residential areas along the trail. Remember to fill your water bottle with at least 1.5 litres of water in the summer. Pieve Santo Stefano is famous as the "city of diaries" because it is the home of a fascinating public archive, in which there is a collection of writings by ordinary people that reflect, in various forms, the life of all the people and the history of Italy: they are diaries, letters and autobiographical memoirs. You can draw inspiration for your own diary of your journey to Assisi.

Sources 
There are water fountains at the beginning and the end of the leg only. Remember to fill your water bottle with at least 1.5 litres of water in the summer.

Intermediate stages
The 15 km journey takes place entirely through the woods of the Casentino area and there are no residential areas along the trail. There are resting areas.

Suggestions
Along the present intermediate stage there are built-up areas, remember to take food and water for lunch along the way.
We recommend that you have the maps of the trail with you.

Information (e.g. how to get there using public transport)
Territorial Tourist Office of Arezzo
Address: Via Bicchieraia, 26 - 52100 Arezzo
Phone: 0575 377462-463 - Fax: 0575 377 464
Email: turismo@comune.arezzo.it

Infopoint Discover Arezzo

Address: Via Giorgio Vasari, 13
 - Arezzo (AR)

10:00 - 18:00

Phone +39 0575 377468
Email: infopoint@discoverarezzo.com