Visit Ginosa: the complete guide
Visiting Ginosa means discovering a hidden pearl of Puglia, located at the foot of the Murgia...
19.04.2024
Self guided 
Walking
La via di Francesco, from Florence to La Verna
TuscanyDifficulty path:Moderate
Self guided · WalkingDuration: 8 daysCode: ws061
from 950 €per person
Highlights
The Via di Francesco is a path that connects some of the places that bear witness to the life of the saint. It is a pilgrimage itinerary that allows at every step, a deeper connection with nature and the surrounding environment.
The path in Tuscany starts from elegant Florence to arrive at the suggestive Sanctuary of La Verna following an itinerary immersed in a wonderful natural and spiritual setting.
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The Casentino Forests: millenary guardians of beauty
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Masterpieces of the Tuscan Quattrocento
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Castles and Monasteries: between legends and traditions
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Walking in the silence of nature
Program
Day1
Arrival in Florence
Welcome to Florence, elegant capital of the Renaissance and home to one of the most important European lordships.
A World Heritage Site since 1982, Florence is universally known as the City of Art, thanks to the many prominent figures who created works here that are known and admired throughout the world. The starting point of the Via di Francesco is the beautiful Basilica of Santa Croce, the ideal setting for this pilgrimage amidst uncontaminated nature and beauty.
Overnight in Florence.
Day2
From Pontassieve to Passo della Consuma
18km, +1000m -50m
After a short train ride from Florence to Pontassieve, the walk along the Via di San Francesco begins.
Once you have passed the town center, you will find yourself immersed in lush forests and colorful vineyards. After crossing the ancient Ferrano Castle, you will be surrounded by a fairytale setting that will lead you to the Vallombrosa forest. Here, in the shade of the tallest trees in Italy, among fir trees and chestnut trees, you will savor the beauty of walking accompanied by the sounds of nature.
Arrival in the area of Caiano for overnight.
Day3
From Passo della Consuma to Stia
17km, +500m -1050m
The route descends steeply along the paths, winding through woods and country roads.
You will pass through the small and picturesque medieval villages of Gualdo and Castel Castagnaio, which offer visitors an exclusive view of the entire valley. Immersed in a wooded area with uncontaminated and crisp air, you will arrive in the delightful historic center of Stia, on the banks of the Arno River, the arrival point of today's stage.
We recommend visiting the characteristic downhill square, still known today as "Piazza del Ciclone" from the title of Leonardo Pieraccioni's film set in Stia.
Overnight in Stia.
Day4
From Stia to the Hermitage of Camaldoli
17km, +700m -300m
On the third day of walking you will reach one of the largest national parks in Europe: the Casentinesi Forests National Park. You will cross silent roads and paths immersed in the woods that are guardians of thoughts and reflections.
Finally, you will arrive at the Sacred Hermitage of Camaldoli, a place of peace and serenity, where a community of Benedictine monks has lived for over a thousand years.
Overnight in Camaldoli.
Day5
From the Hermitage of Camaldoli to Badia Prataglia
8km, +500m -500m
In this territory the connection between spirituality and nature is perceptible by the presence of many abbeys scattered along the path.
From the early Middle Ages onwards, the monks and the inhabitants have taken care of the forest by extracting wood and seeking inner peace. The arrival is at the foot of the Petraglia Abbey built at the end of the 10th century by the Benedictine monks.
Overnight in Badia Prataglia.
Day6
From Badia Prataglia to Casa Santicchio
10km, +500m -750m
In the penultimate stage, leave the ridge to head south towards Monte Penna, along the Tuscan-Emilian border.
Today's stage unfolds in the middle of a splendid forest populated by ancient ferns. As you climb, the environment changes, the houses give way to large chestnut trees, beech trees, moss and carpets of dry leaves. Through ancient mule tracks, wooded paths and ancient tracks you reach the Rimbocchi area, where you will find the area of Casa Santicchio.
Overnight stay in an authentic Tuscan farmhouse.
Day7
From Casa Santicchio to Chiusi della Verna
10km, +650m -250m
Resume your journey from the refuge, halfway to the arrival at La Verna.
A small detour from the route allows you to admire the tallest native tree in Italy: a silver fir 51.85 meters high and with a circumference of 5.22 meters. It's the suggestive prelude to the arrival at the Sanctuary of La Verna, where Saint Francis received the stigmata in 1224, a place where spirituality and natural beauty meet, regenerating the souls of visitors.
Overnight in Chiusi della Verna.
Day8
La Verna
After breakfast, end of services.
Allow yourself a few more hours to visit the interior of the Sanctuary, the Chapel of the Stigmata, the museum, the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Basilica Maggiore. You can also admire the so-called Sasso Spicco, an imposing boulder that protrudes above another rock, creating a natural ravine, which became St. Francis' favorite place for meditation.
Program changes
Due to weather conditions, organizational reasons, provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may undergo some changes before and/or during the holiday. Along the way you may find temporary deviations (for example road works) that cannot be foreseen; in this case each walker can decide independently how to tackle these sections.
What's included
Our offer includes
- 7 nights with breakfast in double room
- Luggage transportation hotel to hotel (1 item per person)
- Pilgrim's Credential
- Travel App (maps, tracks, route notes)
- Phone assistance 8:00-20:00
Not included
- Transfer IN and Transfer OUT
- Meals and drinks
- Extra luggage
- Entrance fees and tips
- Hotel tourist taxes
- Insurance and what's not listed as “Included”
Departures and prices
Low Season15/03/2025 => 28/03/2025
Standard950 € /p
Mid Season29/03/2025 => 13/06/2025
Standard990 € /p
High Season14/06/2025 => 31/08/2025
Standard1090 € /p
Mid Season01/09/2025 => 26/10/2025
Standard990 € /p
Low Season27/10/2025 => 05/11/2025
Standard950 € /p
Supplements per person
Single room | Low Season
Standard220 € /p
Single room | Mid Season
Standard240 € /p
Single room | High Season
Standard290 € /p
Transfer Florence Apt-Florence
Standard47 € /p
Transfer Pisa Apt-Florence
Standard125 € /p
Solo traveller
Standard380 € /p
Other Information
Grade
The itinerary along the Via di Francesco in Tuscany is suitable for anyone who is very well trained in walking long distances. The length of the stages ranges from a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 18 km, with altitude differences and routes of medium difficulty and travel times between 3 and 6 hours.
The excursions mostly unfold along dirt paths, including in wooded areas and country roads, with some rare but essential passages on busy roads.
It is advisable to bring comfortable shoes suitable for trekking, trekking poles (strongly recommended), hat, water, sunscreen and raincoat in case of rain.
Accommodations & Meals
This tour offers accommodation in central B&B and selected 3* hotel.
All rooms are ensuite.
- 1 night in Florence
- 1 night in Caiano
- 1 night in Stia
- 1 night in Camaldoli
- 1 night in Badia Prataglia
- 1 night at Casa Santicchio
- 1 night in Chiusi della Verna
7 breakfasts included.
Support
→ We will take care of your luggage transportation.
You can contact our assistance numbers during the whole tour.
Travel documents
A few days before departure you will receive by email the Service List with instructions for using the Travel App.
Upon your arrival, ask at reception for the infopack with:
- Updated Service List;
- Pilgrim's Credential;
- Luggage Labels.
Arrival and Departure
How to get there
Florence is easily reachable by train, car and plane.
BY TRAIN. The reference train station is Santa Maria Novella, located in the city center, 5 minutes from the Duomo. To find out about cancellations or additions of stops, cancellations, delays, deviations and many other useful information for those traveling by train with Trenitalia, consult viaggiatreno. NB: on holidays there are no trains but only a few buses.
BY PLANE. Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport is located north-west of the city, just 4km from the centre. Once you arrive at the airport, you can take the T2 tram line that connects the airport to the central station of Florence Santa Maria Novella.
Visit the Aeroporti di Firenze website for more detailed information.
BY CAR. For those travelling on the A1 motorway heading north, there are four exits towards Florence. The A11 motorway and the Florence-Pisa-Livorno (FI-PI-LI) motorway, with two lanes, connect Florence to the Tyrrhenian coast. Google.maps.com can help.
→ If you prefer to travel in total comfort, you can book a private transfer on the days of arrival and departure.