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The Via di Francesco is a pilgrimage route following the footsteps of St Francis of Assisi. It is a non-religious spiritual pilgrimage from Florence to Rome, covering 537 km. See more details
The official start is at Santa Croce in Florence, and it ends in Rome. See the Tuscan stages. See the Tuscan stages
The Via di Francesco officially starts at Santa Croce in Florence. See Stage 1 Firenze – Pontassieve.
Follow our directions to La Verna if you wish to start there instead of Florence.
Follow our guide to return to Florence using public transit.
Yes, it’s possible to start in Rome and walk the trail in reverse. Use our stage guides and adjust your plans accordingly.
It takes around 27-30 days to walk the entire route. See more details
The trail is generally safe for solo travelers. Check our Solo Hiking Safety Tips page for advice.
The Camino de Santiago is an ancient pilgrimage route across Spain. Tens of thousands of pilgrims walk the Camino de Santiago throughout the year. The Via di Francesco spans mountain trails from Florence to Rome. The Via di Francesco is a young trail recently stitched together by devotees of St Francis and regional governments.
Budget €65-€100 per person per day for food and lodging. See our Budget Guide
You can download our printable Walking Guide, Accommodations Guide, official GPX files, and other helpful tools in our free Pilgrim Essentials Kit. Get everything here.
For full guidebooks, see our recommended list.
You can obtain your official pilgrim credentials online from PiccolAccoglienza. See our guide to obtaining your credentials.
Wear comfortable, supportive trail runner shoes or hiking boots. Everyone has their own preference. See our packing guide for footwear suggestions.
Carry about 3 days’ worth of clothing and minimize backpack weight. See our full packing guide.
St Francis was recorded to make his own trips from Assisi to Florence. He is known to have spent time at Camaldoli monastery and walked trails and ancient roads through the Apennine mountains. He also received the Stigmata blessing at his beloved La Verna monastery. Read more about St Francis.
Sometimes shops near Santa Croce in Florence sell Tau necklaces and patches. The next reliable source is at the bookstore of La Verna Monastery.
The Tau is a symbol adopted by St Francis. He used it to represent devotion to his values and principles. Read more about the Tau of St Francis.
Use our website to find and book accommodations with a pilgrim’s discount. List of accommodations are here.
Booking accommodations can be done by phone, email, or a booking service. Many establishments in our hospitality network offer discounts for pilgrims. See our Accommodations Booking Guide for tips here.
During the high season, it’s best to book weeks in advance for popular accommodations, such as Camaldoli and La Verna monasteries. In the low season, it’s possible to book with a day’s notice. See our booking guide.
Each stage features a variety of accommodations, mostly family-run establishments. See our Accommodations Guide for a listing of suggested stays for pilgrims. Take note of the members of our hospitality network who offer discounts for pilgrims. See Accommodations Listings here.
Yes! Request your printable accommodations guide here.
For group accommodations, contact lodging providers directly or reach out to our team for assistance. See more details on Accommodations for Groups page.
Yes. See our recommended guidebooks for links to paperback and e-book versions.
You can download our printable Walking Guide from Firenze to La Verna, Accommodations Guide, official GPX files, and other helpful tools in our free Pilgrim Essentials Kit. Get everything here.
GPX files are digital maps for GPS apps. Download official GPX files or use an updated guidebook for accurate trail navigation.
We recommend using AllTrails, Wikiloc and Komoot. See our full GPX and GPS apps guide.
You can also read more information from our post “What GPS Apps Should I use?” here.
We have GPX files for the first 6 stages. You can download them in our GPX guide. You can also get GPX files for other stages from our recommended guidebooks, and from the other regional associations, linked on our trail overview page.
The first six stages can be challenging due to steep and rugged mountain trails, but they are rewarding. Take it slow. See the stages.
The best time to walk the Via di Francesco is during spring or fall to avoid extreme temperatures and crowded trails. See our Plan and Preparation page.
Signage can be sparse in some areas, so we recommend using official GPX files or recently updated guidebooks for navigation. See our Signage and Markings Guide.
We recommend using GPX files for accurate navigation.
Yes, there is a separate biking route for cyclists. See our cycling guide here.
Be respectful of the environment, local communities, and fellow pilgrims. Leave no trace and follow our trail etiquette guide.
Italy has excellent public transportation, with nearby stops for nearly every stage of the Via di Francesco. Check our Transportation Guide for details.
There are various transportation options for reaching La Verna from Florence. See our La Verna Transportation Guide for more information.
Public transportation options are available to travel between La Verna and Florence. Check our Get Back to Florence Guide for more details.
Some sections of the Via di Francesco may be wheelchair-accessible, but the terrain can be challenging. Contact specific accommodations for more information.
Yes! Sign up to our waitlist to be notified of the next group tour. Or contact us to arrange a self-guided tour. See more details here.
We are the trail stewards for the Tuscan region. The Via di Francesco is managed by separate regional organizations for different stages. There is no unifying body representing the entire path. However we work closely with our regional partners to support pilgrims throughout the entire pilgrimage. See links to our friends in Umbria and Lazio.
You can support us by raising awareness, donating on our Patreon page, or booking accommodations through our website. See full details here.
Our mission is to promote social solidarity, spiritual development, and sustainable tourism along the Via di Francesco. Read more on About Us.
You can contact us here. We are excited to hear from you.
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An opportunity for pilgrims, seekers, and adventurers to take an inward journey alongside the spirit of St Francis.
A Toscana, non-religious non-profit to share the discovery and preservation of Franciscan tradition, Nature, and Art.
Disclosure: We may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links on this site if you decide to purchase linked items, helping us to maintain our trails and provide services to our community of pilgrims. Read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy.
By entering your email, you get the Quick Start emails, free Pilgrim Essentials Kit, and more resources, and agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
An opportunity for pilgrims, seekers, and adventurers to take an inward journey alongside the spirit of St Francis.
A Toscana, non-religious non-profit to share the discovery and preservation of Franciscan tradition, Nature, and Art.
Disclosure: We may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links on this site if you decide to purchase linked items, helping us to maintain our trails and provide services to our community of pilgrims. Read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy.
