route on the san francis of assisi walk

Tuscany: from Pieve Santo Stefano to Sansepolcro, through the Alpe della Luna Nature Reserve, stopping off at the Franciscan hermitage of Montecasale.

Stage 2 - from Pieve Santo Stefano to Sansepolcro

Description

Walking
It is a hard leg of the journey, but the natural landscapes and the Franciscan hermitages will be among the fondest memories of your walk. The length of this leg of the journey can be reduced by choosing to stay at one of the intermediate stop-over places.The challenging height differences slow down your pace but perhaps they are a way of getting to know the “perfect joy” of St Francis.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

Pieve Santo Stefano (Arezzo)

To

Sansepolcro (Arezzo)

Distance

35,17 Km

Increase in altitude

+ 1730

Loss of altitude

- 1830

Surface

gravel roadpath-tarmac

Road Sign

yes (horizontal CAI red and white painted signs, Yellow Tau and yellow/blue signs)

Travel time

12 hours

Water sources

yes

Resting areas

yes

Degree of difficulty

very challenging

Every path has its own impossible challenge and this leg will drive you to despair when you tackle it, but at the end of the day you will feel overjoyed about having overcome all the obstacles.Get an early start and proceed slowly. We suggest that you shorten the journey, by choosing to stay at one of the numerous intermediate stop-over places.The first stretch has a long and challenging uphill climb. The hermitage of Cerbaiolo deserves a detour and a visit (find out about its opening hours). From Viamaggio (9.8 km), a very steep, tiring stretch begins in the forest. At one time, the “Gothic Line” ran along this stretch, dotted with defensive structures that the German army built in 1944 along the Central Apennine Mountains to halt the advance of the Allies. The memories of the war give way to fortuitous encounters with roe deer and fallow deer in the Alpe della Luna Reserve. Here, with the majestic trees and high altitude landscapes, you will find the enchanted nature of the Canticle of the Creatures of St Francis.A place in which you can stop to meditate and rest is the hermitage of Montecasale where the air is filled with the presence of St Francis, who passed through here and converted three thieves. You continue on downhill towards Sansepolcro, the name of which refers to two pilgrims who returned from the Holy Land and founded a monastic community here. The town is a real treasure chest of beauty and in it you will find famous works by Piero della Francesca, Rosso Fiorentino and other Renaissance masters.Alternative route in case of rain from Viamaggio to Pian delle Capanne
Sources
There are water sources. Remember to fill your water bottle with at least 1.5 litres of water in the summer.
Intermediate stages 
To reduce the length of the leg, accommodation is available in the localities of Viamaggio (10 km), Pian della Capanna (16 km), La Montagna (23 km), Germagnano (approximately 4 km from the trail) and the Hermitage of Montecasale (28.6 km).
Suggestions
This is one of the most beautiful legs from the point of view of nature, which should be enjoyed slowly. Almost entirely in the forests, you need to be careful with the challenging height differences, while some stretches are very slippery in the event of rain. We advise you to use trekking sticks. Always remember to take lunch and a supply of water with you.
Information (e.g. how to get there using public transport)
Territorial Tourist Office of Valtiberina Toscana
Address: Via Matteotti, 8 - 52037 Sansepolcro (AR)
Phone: 0575 740536
Email: info@valtiberinaintoscana.it