Stage 14: Foligno - Assisi

The final destination of the journey is the Basilica of St Francis. Here, in front of the tomb of the Poor Man, the long journey comes to an end. Although the idea of your arrival drives you to accelerate your pace, we recommend that you slow down to enjoy the last part of your journey to the full.

Setting off from the Cathedral of Foligno and crossing Piazza San Giacomo, with the church of the same name dedicated to the patron saint of pilgrims, you continue on and go past the bridge over the Topino River.

After a stretch of approximately 6 km on secondary roads, you enter Spello, going through the monumental Consular gate. It is worth stopping off at the little town, with its wealth of works of art.

From Spello, you can decide whether to tackle the hiking trail, which is more difficult, but almost entirely in the woods of the regional park of Monte Subasio, or to take the pleasant walk across the hillside. To follow the latter option, you leave the town through Porta Montanara and then you walk serenely across the slopes of Monte Subasio along the Via degli Ulivi.

There is only one uphill climb, which is easy, and then, in Assisi, the footsteps of St Francis join those of St Clare. In fact, you reach the Basilica of St Clare first and then that of St Francis. Lastly, the reward for your journey will be when you stop in the shade of the Lower Basilica, in front of the tomb of St Francis.

The path continues downhill towards the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, inside which there is the Porziuncola, the place where the first Franciscan community emerged.

There are numerous places of St Francis of Assisi here and in the surrounding areas, so you need to stay at least a day in order to have time to visit them and meditate.