Assisi to Rome: Via di Francesco,
October 9 - October 23, 2026

Overview

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! THE DATES ARE SET, AND THIS IS A PRELIMINARY POSTING WHILE WE CALCULATE TRIP PRICING.

The Via di Francesco from Assisi to Rome is one of Italy’s most meaningful pilgrimages, uniting the birthplace of St. Francis with the heart of Christianity in the Eternal City. Along the way, pilgrims encounter rolling Umbrian hills, sacred Franciscan sanctuaries, forested valleys, Roman roads, and medieval hilltowns. This 2026 October departure offers an ideal season: autumn landscapes alive with golden light, vineyards ready for harvest, and cooler walking weather.

We begin in Assisi, where Francis was born, lived, and preached. After orientation and visits to the Basilica and Porziuncola, we set out for Spello, Trevi, and Spoleto—towns rich in Roman and medieval heritage, perched along quiet ridges. From Spoleto we climb toward Monteluco, with its famed Franciscan convent, before descending into the Nera Valley at Macenano.

The route continues toward Piediluco, pausing at the Marmore Falls, the world’s tallest man-made waterfall, engineered by the Romans. Lakeside Piediluco recalls the days Francis preached here. From there we ascend to Poggio Bustone, where Francis is said to have received visions of divine forgiveness, and then on to Rieti, the “Valle Santa” (Sacred Valley). We pause here for a rest day, with optional visits to sanctuaries such as Greccio and Fonte Colombo.

Leaving Rieti, the trail leads south into Lazio, through Poggio San Lorenzo, Ponticelli, and Monterotondo. The terrain shifts from wooded hills to farmland and Roman paving stones, carrying us closer to the capital. At Monte Sacro, we pause for reflection before entering Rome.

The pilgrimage culminates with an unforgettable walk into the Eternal City, arriving at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. As Francis once walked toward Rome to meet the Pope, so too will we enter the city, completing our journey with gratitude, fellowship, and awe.

This fully supported pilgrimage includes luggage transfer, experienced guides, comfortable accommodations, group dinners, and daily reflections. Whether your aim is spiritual growth, cultural immersion, or simply the joy of walking through Italy’s heartland, the Assisi to Rome journey offers a deeply rewarding experience in the footsteps of St. Francis.