The Way of St. Francis - from Florence to Assisi and Rome - Cicerone Press

This guidebook describes the Way of St Francis' 550km month-long pilgrimage trail from Florence through Assisi to Rome. Split into 28 day stages, the walk begins in Florence and finishes in the Vatican City. Stages range from 8km to 30km with plenty to see, including ancient ruins, picturesque towns, national treasures, and stunning churches. This comprehensive guidebook fits in a jacket pocket or rucksack, and contains information on everything from accommodation and transport in Italy, to securing your credential (pilgrim identity card), budgeting, what to take, and where to do laundry.

Stories of Francis of Assisi's life are also included. Although the route includes climbs and descents of up to 1200m, no special equipment is required - although your hiking boots and socks definitely need to get along. Following the steps of heroes, conquerors and saints on this pilgrim trail is manageable all year round, but is best done from April to June and mid-August to October. Route maps are given for every stage, and basic Italian phrases are included in the guidebook.

DISCOVERING FLORENCE
1 FLORENCE TO SANTUARIO DELLA VERNA
Stage 1 Florence to Pontassieve
Stage 2 Pontassieve to Passo della Consuma
Stage 3 Consuma to Stia
Stage 4 Stia to Camaldoli (village)
Stage 5 Camaldoli to Badia Prataglia
Stage 6 Badia Prataglia to Santuario della Verna

2 SANTUARIO DELLA VERNA TO ASSISI
Stage 7 Santuario della Verna to Pieve Santo Stefano
Stage 8 Pieve Santo Stefano to Sansepolcro
Stage 9 Sansepolcro to Citerna
Stage 10 Citerna to Città di Castello
Stage 11 Città di Castello to Pietralunga
Stage 12 Pietralunga to Gubbio
Stage 13 Gubbio to Biscina
Stage 14 Biscina to Valfabbrica
Stage 15 Valfabbrica to Assisi

3 ASSISI TO RIETI
Stage 16 Assisi to Spello (easier route)
Stage 16A Assisi to Spello (harder route)
Stage 17 Spello to Trevi
Stage 18 Trevi to Spoleto
Stage 19 Spoleto to Ceselli
Stage 20 Ceselli to Arrone
Stage 21 Arrone to Piediluco
Stage 22 Piediluco to Poggio Bustone
Stage 23 Poggio Bustone to Rieti

4 RIETI TO ROME
Stage 24 Rieti to Poggio San Lorenzo
Stage 25 Poggio San Lorenzo to Ponticelli
Stage 26 Ponticelli to Monterotondo
Stage 27 Monterotondo to Monte Sacro
Stage 28 Monte Sacro to Vatican City

TOUR OF THE SEVEN PILGRIMAGE CHURCHES OF ROME