The Assisi Way - Cammini d'Umbria

A moderately demanding stage due to its length and the fairly significant elevation gain, which is concentrated entirely in the initial section. Leaving Sansepolcro, the route heads towards the Hermitage of Montecasale (700 m above sea level), which is reached after approximately six kilometres of walking, at the end of a steep climb gaining 250 metres of elevation in about one kilometre. After the hermitage, the path continues uphill, though more gently, and the beauty of the route, immersed in nature, helps to ease the effort of the ascent.

Once the highest point of 855 metres has been reached, the route remains at altitude for several kilometres, passing through woodland and the ruins of ancient farmhouses, testimony to a period of great vitality in this area. At around kilometre 12, the long descent begins, leading back down to the valley floor near the village of Celalba. The route then continues across the plain as far as Lama, before finally reaching Città di Castello.

A demanding stage due to its considerable length combined with nearly 1,000 metres of elevation gain. Leaving Città di Castello, the route heads towards the first hills, following a gently undulating stretch that leads to Mulino del Sasso, near which the bed of the Soara stream forms a series of charming small waterfalls. After crossing the watercourse, the itinerary climbs steeply from an altitude of 320 metres up to 600 metres.

The route then continues along paths and gravel roads, remaining at this elevation for about ten kilometres, until it reaches, on a slight descent, the Pieve de’ Saddi, a Romanesque architectural complex overlooking the valley. After the church, the route climbs again before descending more decisively to the bottom of the valley, where the final ascent begins, leading to the destination village of Pietralunga.

A less demanding stage than the previous ones, thanks to the lower overall elevation gain and the absence of particularly challenging climbs.

The route is dotted with chapels, small churches and wayside shrines. In the first section, it follows low-traffic roads and mule tracks, ascending three valleys through woodland and natural surroundings. After the final climb, the route begins to descend towards the plain of Gubbio, while the woods gradually give way to cultivated fields and villages.

The last section is pleasantly flat and leads all the way to Gubbio, where the walk may conclude before the statue depicting Francis and the wolf, commemorating the miracle of the fierce beast tamed by the Saint.

In order to divide the original 38-kilometre stage, which would otherwise be beyond the reach of less experienced pilgrims, the ancient Hermitage of San Pietro in Vigneto has been restored and brought back into use. This place welcomes wayfarers and pilgrims, and it is advisable to contact it in advance to ensure overnight availability.

The stage retraces, in the opposite direction, one of Saint Francis’s most important journeys. It begins by leaving Gubbio along the four-kilometre straight road leading to Ponte d’Assi. The route then continues along an unpaved road and, once the ridge has been reached, enters the valley of the Chiascio River. It then arrives at the small church of Le Ripe, where memories of passing pilgrims are still preserved.

From here, the route begins to climb through conifer woods until reaching the Hermitage of San Pietro in Vigneto.

Leaving the Hermitage of Vigneto behind, the route begins to descend until it reaches a crossroads where two alternative variants are available. Turning right, the path remains at a higher elevation, following the route that also corresponds to the Via di Francesco.

Continuing straight ahead, on the other hand, leads almost immediately to the floor of the Chiascio River valley, allowing walkers to reduce the elevation change by following the level unpaved road alongside the river. After approximately four kilometres, near the upper end of Lake Valfabbrica, the route joins an asphalt road that continues along the edge of the water. After a few more kilometres, it reconnects with the previous variant shortly before the end of the lake.

The route then continues to follow the course of the Chiascio River, descending further until it reaches its destination, Valfabbrica.

The final stage brings together many of the features encountered along the route: climbs, descents and a few steeper stretches, set among woodland and rural landscapes. Leaving Valfabbrica, the itinerary follows the signs for San Nicolò along a paved road, which is soon left behind by turning right onto an uphill path running beside a stream. The next two kilometres of ascent, with an elevation gain of around 200 metres, are the most demanding of the day, but the sense of the destination drawing near undoubtedly lightens the effort.

Once the summit is reached, Assisi already begins to appear in the distance. The route then turns right and, after about one kilometre, turns right again at a shaded resting place. From here, the walk becomes gentler and continues on a slight descent until reaching the bucolic Bosco di San Francesco, the site cared for by the Italian National Trust, where the small Church of Santa Croce and the Ponte dei Galli are located. One final effort leads up towards Porta San Giacomo, into the city of the Patron Saint, where these “pleasant labours” come to an end before the Basilica of Saint Francis.