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This 18 km stretch passes two important sanctuaries in the Franciscan Valley: La Foresta and Poggio Bustone. Seekers of peace, who, like St Francis, yearn to escape the "pomp of the world", will find an ideal place in these secluded convents immersed in greenery.
Part of the route is on tarmacked paths, but you will mainly walk on minor roads and footpaths.
It starts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and leads out of the city of Rieti. After about three kilometres on the flat, the ascent begins towards the Sanctuary of the Forest, whose simple and sober form recalls the simplicity of the Poor Man, who often stayed here.
You walk alternating uphill and downhill stretches, passing the Sanctuary of St Felix at the Water and the village of Cantalice Superiore, where you can find refreshment. From here, there is a splendid view of the Terminillo massif and the lakes of Lungo and Ripasottile on the Rieti plain.
After walking down about 300 steps, you continue towards the village of San Liberato.
This marks the start of the final leg, of about two and a half kilometres. Although it is uphill through the woods, this is the final challenging stretch before you reach Poggio Bustone. According to tradition, it was here that Francis, arriving for the first time in the village on the slopes of the Apennines, greeted the inhabitants with the famous exclamation: "Good morning, good people!".
From the village, a signposted path will lead you to the Sanctuary.
