{"id":15922,"date":"2018-02-15T09:23:09","date_gmt":"2018-02-15T08:23:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/?p=15922"},"modified":"2018-02-15T09:23:09","modified_gmt":"2018-02-15T08:23:09","slug":"way-of-st-francis-umbria-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/way-of-st-francis-umbria-italy\/","title":{"rendered":"The Way of St. Francis to discover Umbria"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than 270 kilometers on foot or by bicycle to traverse the footsteps of St. Francis, crossing all Umbria.<\/em><\/h4>\n

Saint Francis,<\/strong> from the twelfth to the thirteenth centuries, lived a great part of his life in the Umbria<\/strong> region and it is these places that have inspired his life. The Way of St. Francis, one of the most famous hiking routes<\/strong> in Italy, allows to breathe the same atmosphere as the poor saint of Assisi<\/strong> and to discover a green region made up of ancient forests and hills where enchanting medieval<\/strong> towns<\/strong>, sanctuaries and hermitages<\/strong> still reveal their spirituality<\/strong>. To go all the 276 kilometers across the region, you’re gonna need\u00a0two weeks if you decide to go by\u00a0foot, at least eight days for bikers. The Way<\/strong> of St. Francis<\/strong> foresee two routes, both lead to Assisi: starting from North (La Verna<\/a>) or from South (Rome). It’s more than a journey, an adventure, it’s more than a pilgrimage<\/strong>, maybe it’s more than\u00a0a trip: a life<\/strong> experience<\/strong>. Let’s\u00a0discover some of the stages\u00a0together, waiting to take the trip!<\/p>\n

From Pieve Santo Stefano to Sansepolcro: the second stage of the Way of St. Francis<\/h2>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

In the Northern Route, the second stage is very challenging<\/strong>, but it gives some of the most beautiful memories thanks to the natural landscapes<\/strong> you can admire and the Franciscan hermitages<\/strong> you can reach. In 36 kilometers you will cross the Nature Reserve of the Alpe della Luna to reach the beautiful Sansepolcro<\/strong>. The first stretch has a long and challenging ascent. Worth a detour and a stop at the Hermitage<\/strong> of<\/strong> Cerbaiolo<\/strong>. After about 10 kilometers, begins a very steep and tiring stretch in the woods, where we can see the defensive works dating back to World War II. We then go into the Alpe della Luna Reserve<\/strong> where you can meet roe deer among the breathtaking landscapes<\/strong> and majestic trees. Will this be nature sung in the Song of Creatures<\/strong> written by the Saint? We can stop and rest in the Eremo of Montecasale, where St. Francis converted three thieves. Then begins the descent to Sansepolcro, one of the jewels of Umbria that preserves precious works of the Renaissance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The eco-sustainable stay<\/strong>: At Sansepolcro we can stop for one night in La Conca<\/a>, a large \u00a0farmhouse surrounded by 300 hectares of woods and pastures.<\/p>\n

From Citt\u00e0 di Castello to Pietralunga<\/h2>\n

Another long stage that allows you to reach Pietralunga<\/strong> and its magical forests<\/strong>. Through continuous climbs and downs, among the valleys and woods we regenerate ourselves with the silence of nature, letting us envelop by the spirituality<\/strong> of these places. About half of this fifth stage we reach the Pieve<\/strong> de’ Saddi<\/strong>, a fundamental place for the spread of Christianity in the territory. After 36 kilometers you arrive at Pietralunga, which lies right in the heart of Umbria, in the upper Tiber<\/strong> valley<\/strong>. It is a fascinating authentic<\/strong> village<\/strong>, rich in traditions and culture, but also in nature. In its territory, there’s a forest rich in wildlife, flows through the Carpina stream. It is one of the largest wooded and hilltop complexes in Italy and is a truly amazing place.<\/p>\n\n\t\t