We plan to follow the Southern Way (Via del Sud).
This proposed itinerary starts on Monday, October 12, 2026, and we expect to arrive in Rome on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
Via di Francesco: 14-Day Pilgrimage Itinerary (Assisi to Rome)
This 14-day itinerary follows the Southern Way (Via del Sud) of the Via di Francesco, timed perfectly for mid-October 2026. This route covers approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles), combining challenging mountain terrain with stunning autumn scenery, historic olive harvests, and quiet Franciscan sanctuaries.
Route Overview & Suggested Accommodations
Below is the complete daily schedule, including walking distances and reliable, pilgrim-friendly accommodations—ranging from traditional parish hostels to religious guest houses.
| Day | Stage | Distance | Suggested Accommodation | Accommodation Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Assisi to Spello | 12 km | Convento Suore Piccolo Opera | Religious House |
| Day 2 | Spello to Trevi | 18 km | Oratorio di San Francesco | Parish Hostel |
| Day 3 | Trevi to Poreta | 12 km | Casale della Piaggia | Pilgrim Hostel / Agriturismo |
| Day 4 | Poreta to Spoleto | 15 km | Istituto Bambin Gesù | Religious House |
| Day 5 | Spoleto to Ceselli | 16 km | Ostello di Ceselli | Village Hostel |
| Day 6 | Ceselli to Arrone | 15 km | Ostello San Giovanni | Dedicated Pilgrim Hostel |
| Day 7 | Arrone to Piediluco | 14 km | Santuario di San Francesco | Monastery Stay |
| Day 8 | Piediluco to Poggio Bustone | 22 km | Monastero di San Giacomo | Franciscan Sanctuary |
| Day 9 | Poggio Bustone to Rieti | 18 km | Ospedale San Giacomo | Traditional Donativo |
| Day 10 | Rieti to Poggio S. Lorenzo | 22 km | Ostello Locanda del Pellegrino | Parish-run Hostel |
| Day 11 | P. S. Lorenzo to Ponticelli | 21 km | Agriturismo Il Cammino | Pilgrim-friendly Stay |
| Day 12 | Ponticelli to Monterotondo | 29 km | Convento dei Cappuccini | Friary Stay |
| Day 13 | Monterotondo to Monte Sacro | 19 km | Casa per Ferie (Outskirts) | Religious Guesthouse |
| Day 14 | Monte Sacro to Vatican City | 16 km | Casa per Ferie San Luigi Guanella | Near St. Peter’s |
Pilgrim Contact Directory (WhatsApp & Emails)
Many hosts utilize mobile numbers for quick coordination via WhatsApp. Use the following directory to coordinate your stays. It is highly recommended to book the major religious houses months in advance, especially during the 2026 Franciscan Centenary.
| Location | Accommodation | WhatsApp / Mobile | Landline | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spello | Convento Suore Piccolo S. Damiano | — | +39 0742 651182 | — |
| Trevi | Oratorio S. Francesco | — | +39 0742 332269 | info@protrevi.com |
| Poreta | Casale della Piaggia | +39 335 1253451 | +39 0743 275005 | info@casaledellapiaggia.it |
| Spoleto | Istituto Bambin Gesù | +39 339 8125468 | +39 0743 40232 | suorespoleto@bambingesu.org |
| Ceselli | Ostello di Ceselli | +39 320 4224095 | — | ostelloceselli@gmail.com |
| Arrone | Ostello San Giovanni | +39 339 7743826 | +39 0744 388301 | info@ostelloarrone.it |
| Piediluco | Santuario S. Francesco | — | +39 0744 640727 | parrocchia-piediluco@tiscali.it |
| Poggio Bustone | Monastero S. Giacomo | +39 347 0180074 | +39 0746 688916 | laguar-diabb@gmail.com |
| Rieti | Ospedale S. Giacomo | — | +39 339 4233777 | — |
| Poggio S. Lorenzo | Locanda del Pellegrino | +39 327 7515003 | — | — |
| Campagnano / Ponticelli | Agriturismo Il Cammino | +39 338 2901306 | +39 0765 89088 | agriturismoilcammino@gmail.com |
| Monterotondo | Convento Cappuccini | — | +39 06 90623041 | — |
| Rome (Outskirts) | Casa San Giuseppe | +39 347 4382566 | +39 06 39366037 | info@casasangiuseppe.it |
| Rome (Vatican) | San Luigi Guanella | — | +39 06 39735430 | casaperferie@guanelliani.it |
Baggage Transfer Logistics
To walk with a light daypack and have your main luggage transferred safely between your daily destinations, you can utilize the dedicated regional transfer service:
- Provider: Bags Free (Via di Francesco Specialist Branch)
- WhatsApp / Mobile: +39 366 230 4040
- Landline: +39 06 4547 5202
- Email: info@bagsfree.it
Note: Always ensure your chosen parish or donativo hostel has a designated safe drop-off spot or arrangement to receive bags before scheduling your morning transfer.
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