Stage 23.C: Greccio - Rieti

Departure from the Sanctuary of Greccio offers the pilgrim two possibilities. You can head towards the Franciscan Sanctuary of Poggio Bustone and reconnect with the main route of the Cammino di Francesco (in this case go to stage 25b - Cammino/Via di Francesco - Valle Santa).

From Poggio Bustone we continue the next day to Rieti (Stage 25). Alternatively, following the information reported here, you can take the direction for Rieti. The 24 km walk includes up and downhill stretches with a stop at the Franciscan Sanctuary of Fonte Colombo.

Leave the Franciscan sanctuary headed towards the town of Greccio. Once you are out, head downhill to get to the Cistercian abbey of San Pastore (now a privately owned building) to admire its beauty from the outside. The walk then continues over an easy path through nature until you get to the more modern part of the town of Contigliano.

The historical centre is a bit higher up and is well worth a visit. The route continues with ascents and descents until you reach the town of Piani di Poggio Fidoni, where you can treat yourself to a well-deserved break. From here you go uphill, so pace yourself carefully to reach the top of Colle Sant’Elia (649 m).

The trail then goes downhill through a woods until you get to the Fonte Colombo sanctuary, one of the core places of the St Francis Way. Enjoy a break. From here it is all downhill until you reach the charming town of Rieti, a city steeped in history and home to fine works of art.