There has been a tremendous interest in continuing the Way of St. Francis tours into 2026. We are pleased to announce a new pilgrimage–La Verna to Assisi, thirteen days of walking through some of the most beautiful Italian countryside, in the heart of the land of St. Francis.

Experience the land of St. Francis and visit many of the places that are part of his legends, from La Verna (where he received the stigmata) to Gubbio, where he tamed the Wolf, this two week tour allows pilgrims to drink in the history, scenery and stories of the world’s most beloved saint.

Led by author Russ Eanes and his wife Jane, this pilgrimage on foot is fully supported with daily bag transfer and an Italian hiking guide. Experienced pilgrims themselve, they have walked jointly over 2,000 miles in the past seven years over multiple pilgrimage paths of Europe. However, the Way of St. Francis has become their favorite. Please consider joining us! The tentative dates are mid-May or late August/early September 2026.

The itinerary:

Gathering day: Meet in Florence (Group hotel with orientation supper together this night). Arrive in Florence a few days early if you want to explore the city.

Day 1: Transport to La Verna. Walk the hills above La Verna and the mystical wood below. Supper at La Verna. Stay in the historic Foresta, or guest house of the monastery.

Day 2: La Verna to Pieve San Stefano 15 km. This is a beautiful day of walking as we descend into the upper Tiber Valley.

Day 3: Transport to Cerbaiolo, then to La Montagne, where we walk to Montecasale. Transport down to Sansepolcro 6 km. We visit and then walk to two of the most dramatic and scenic Sanctuaries in the Upper Tiber Valley. Cerbaiolo is an ancient Benedictine monastery, turned Franciscan sanctuary. Montecasale still is a Franciscan convent associated with two legends of St. Francis. Sansepolcro is a delightful town, the last in Tuscany before we head into Umbria.

Day 4: Sansepolcro to Citerna 12 km. This is an easy day along the valley floor of the Tiber River. Citerna has a church with an historic, early sculpture by the famous artist Donatelli. We will transport to Citerna to Città di Castello for the night, or back to Sansepolcro, if there is not enough available lodging in Citerna.

Day 5: Citerna to Città di Castello (Supper on own). 20km. Pickup in Lerchi or at Eremo Buon Riposo can shorten the day. Another delightful day walking, ending in an historic, walled medieval city which is worth exploring.

Day 6: Transport to Candeggio, then to Pietralunga 15 km. This is a long day through undulating hills, as we leave the Upper Tiber Valley. To ease the long day, we transport nearly halfway. We stop for a picnic lunch at Pieve di Saddi, a restored 6th century church, now open as a simple pilgrim hostel. Originally founded by the Lombards, Pietralunga is famous for its truffles.

Day 7: Pietralunga to Gubbio, with pick-up after Loretto 16 km or walk all the way to Gubbio, 26 k. Another day of undulating trails.

Day 8: Rest day in Gubbio (supper on own). Explore the dramatic and medieval town of Gubbio. Take the funicular to the top of the mountain and get a view of the valley, including Assisi and Mt. Subasio in the distance. Visit the church which housed the burial remains of the famous Wolf of Gubbio, tamed by St. Francis.

Day 9: Gubbio to San Pietro in Vigneto, stay in Monastery 16km. This is yet again a beautiful day of walking, ending at an ancient monastery/hostel which was in existence in the time of St. Francis. Enjoy a simple supper and breakfast with our hosts.

Day 10: San Pietro in Vigneto to Valfabbrica 20 km. Assisi gets closer as we head up and down over hills and cross streams as we make our way above the Chiascio river, to the famous town of Valfabbrica.

Day 11: Valfabbrica to Assisi 13 km. We climb out of the Chiascio valley and head uphill towards Assisi. Halfway we glimpse our first sight of the famous Basilica of St. Francis. We make our way into the city through a small forest conserve along a path that takes us directly to the Basilica.

Day 11 Day in Assisi

Day 12: depart Assisi or stay for your own exploration

Total distance walking: 133km.

13 nights, 12 dinners, breakfast included with each hotel stay. Bag lunch as needed.

Luggage transfer provided each day.

Italian hiking guide, in addition to Tour hosts Russ and Jane

Group transfers provided from Florence and otherwise as noted in the itinerary

Cost TBD, but around $3900-4000, airfare excluded