Stage 6 - from Rieti to Poggio Bustone - La Via di Francesco

The 18 km route touches two important sanctuaries in the Franciscan valley: La Foresta and Poggio Bustone. Those seeking peace and, like St Francis, a way of escaping from the "worldly pomp", will see these convents hidden away in the greenery as the ideal location. The route includes stretches of tarmac road but the majority is on secondary roads and trails.You set off from the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, leaving behind the town of Rieti. After approximately 3 km on flat ground there is an uphill stretch towards the Sanctuary of La Foresta, with its simple, basic form that brings to mind the simplicity of the Poor Man of Assisi, who often stayed in this place. You walk along alternating uphill and downhill stretches, touching the sanctuary of San Felice All'Acqua and the village of Cantalice Superiore, where you can find dining/refreshment facilities. From here, you can enjoy a splendid view of Mount Terminillo and the lakes of Lungo and Ripasottile on the Plain of Rieti. After a descent of about 300 steps, you can continue on to the residential area of San Liberato. The last stretch, of about 2.5 km, is uphill through the forest and this is the last challenging effort you need to make to reach Poggio Bustone. Tradition has it that in this place, St Francis, as he reached the village at the foot of the Apennines for the first time, greeted the inhabitants with his famous exclamation: "Buon giorno, buona gente!" (Good morning, good people). From the village, a sign-posted trail will lead you to the sanctuary.