Italy has unveiled a new national pilgrimage route, Il Cammino di Francesco – Il Cammino della Luce (The Way of Francis – The Way of Light), spanning 1,546 kilometers across six regions. The route was presented by tourism minister Gianmarco Mazzi in Rome's Palazzo Chigi in July, honoring Saint Francis of Assisi and marking the 800th anniversary of his death.
Route details
The camino crosses Abruzzo, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Marche, Tuscany, and Umbria, following the paths Saint Francis walked during his lifetime. It incorporates existing trails, including the 110km stretch from Rimini to the mountain sanctuary of La Verna, where Saint Francis is said to have received the stigmata. All routes lead to Assisi, the saint's birthplace and final resting place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The route can be joined at any point, with options like the two Rome-to-Assisi branches: the Salaria and Tiberina variants. There's also the Rieti Sacred Valley Loop, connecting Rieti to four Franciscan sanctuaries. Other stages include Florence to La Verna (northern and southern variants), La Verna to Assisi (two branches), Ascoli Piceno to Assisi, and the Way of St Francis in Abruzzo.
Difficulty and popularity
The camino is considered moderate to challenging due to rugged terrain and steep climbs to hilltop towns. The Way of St Francis is said to be one of the hardest routes, with many ups and downs. For easier sections, landmarks near Assisi include the Eremo delle Carceri sanctuary and the Papal Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, a key pilgrimage site.
The route taps into the 'stillcation' trend, focusing on reflection and being present. Searches for trekking and mountaineering have risen 69% year-on-year, and walking holidays have seen a 52% increase since the pandemic. Inghams Walking research highlights stillness as vital for creativity and self-reflection.
Planning your trip
Maps and itineraries are available on italia.it and the official camino app. For flights, Abruzzo is served by Abruzzo Airport in Pescara, with Ryanair from London Stansted from £28 on September 2. Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport serves Emilia-Romagna, with Ryanair from Luton averaging £31. For Lazio, Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino airports have Wizz Air flights from Luton around £45. Ancona International Airport serves Marche, with Ryanair from Stansted from £21. Tuscany has Pisa or Florence airports, with Ryanair from Stansted from £25. Umbria can be reached via Perugia, with Ryanair from Stansted from £61.
