It is from the tomb of St Francis, Patron saint of Italy, that the journey begins. Leaving the historic center of Assisi you head under the slopes of Mount Subasio (1,290 m). The mountain, famous for its "turtle back" profile, has always been seen as a place of mysticism and sacredness, a tradition confirmed by the numerous Benedictine and Franciscan hermitages. Thanks to cart tracks and dirt roads surrounded by olive trees, you cross the Fonte di San Francesco, until you reach the medieval center of Spello. Here you can find refreshment, also at the church of Santa Maria Maggiore with several services for pilgrims such as bathrooms, small refectory, water source and the office for credential stamps.
From here you proceed with a fairly flat stretch to Foligno. After crossing the Liberation Bridge you reach the city center and the various reception facilities, but this is where the second stage will begin.
Recommended period:
January
February
Marzo
April
May
June
July
Agoust
September
October
November
December
Notes:
An easy stage, with undemanding ups and downs, full of water sources and stopping opportunities: leaving Assisi we meet Spello, a medieval pearl with its Roman vestiges, and then Foligno, always a crossroads of pilgrims and trades. The route winds along the buttresses of the Monte Subasio Regional Park and the enchanting olive groves that make the Umbrian Valley unique.