St Francis Way: from Rome to Assisi – Stage 14a – from Foligno to Assisi (hiking route) - La Via di Francesco

The first part of the journey, from Foligno to Spello, coincides with the Foligno - Assisi leg. You leave Spello through Porta Montanara and continue on along Via Bulgarella. After the water fountain, where it is useful to fill your water bottle, you walk uphill to the left on a dirt road. A long ascent begins, with steep stretches, on which you should proceed using the slow pace of the pilgrim. The route is well marked out and proceeds along a dirt road surrounded by olive groves (in summer, be careful of the sun). You walk through the forests of Monte Subasio until you reach the top of the great mountain, which rewards you for your efforts with one of the most beautiful views of the entire Way. From the summit, you go down towards the Eremo delle Carceri, a hermitage and one of the places most dear to pilgrims. Reaching this place on foot offers a taste of the joy that you will feel when you reach the Basilica. You continue down a slope that borders the Rocca Minore of Assisi, known as the Rocchicciola. Once you have reached Piazza Matteotti, you cross the medieval roads of Assisi. Access to the tomb of St Francis is through the great portal of the Lower Basilica of St Francis and, after numerous days of walking, you can finally put down your backpack. This is the end of the journey and, after a visit to the tomb of St Francis, you can celebrate the joy of reaching your destination. There are numerous places of St Francis of Assisi here and in the surrounding areas, so you need to stay at least a day in order to have time to visit them and meditate.