St. Francis Way: Stage 1, Rimini to Chiusi della Verna

Individual arrival in Rimini. After checking in at the accommodation you can relax at the beach or wonder around town visiting the most important attractions. The City Museum, Rimini's main museum institution, was inaugurated as the "Archaeological Gallery", which had been of great interest in the city's culture for centuries, given the grandeur of the monuments and ruins that the Roman age had left here. The gallery was the city's first museum and was conceived as a collection of Etruscan and Roman antiquities found in Rimini and the surrounding countryside.

This walk starts from the Cathedral (Tempio Malatestiano), formerly the church of San Francesco. It crosses part of the old town, touching on some Franciscan sites, and leaves the urban area, arriving shortly at the Sanctuary "delle Grazie" on Covignano hill. Besides the beautiful church, if the friars are available, the small Museum of the Franciscan Missions is worth a visit. Descending several times in an agricultural environment, you descend to the valley of the Marecchia River. You begin to glimpse the outlines of some of the many cliffs topped by fortresses that characterise the landscape of the valley. In a riparian environment, we flank the course of the river along a beautiful nature trail to the park of Villa Verucchio. It is suggested to short the walk by taking the local bus out of Rimini avoiding asphalt roads. 

Distance: 24 km

Elevation Gain: +535/-297 m

Leaving behind the more anthropised part of the route, this stage leads to San Leo, the inspirational place of the Cammino and one of the most visited villages in Montefeltro. From Ponte Santa Maria Maddalena, you leave the valley again and ascend along country lanes, immersed in a panorama of the mid-upper valley, to the ancient convent of Sant'Igne, built on the spot where Francis and Brother Leo bivouacked the night before entering San Leo, and thus an obligatory stop for pilgrims as well. Another couple of kilometres and, with a spectacular view of the cliff and the mighty fortress, you arrive at San Leo. 

Distance: 22 km

Elevation Gain: +910/-635 m

On today stage you descend again into the valley and then climb to the opposite ridge bordering the left bank of the Marecchia River. In the initial stretch, the landscape is dominated by the cliffs of San Leo and Maiolo, with a beautiful panoramic route and suggestive passages over deep gullies. After crossing the bridge over the Marecchia River, you find the village of Novafeltria, beginning the climb, you then reach the small town of Torricella, birthplace of the Servant of God "Blessed" Father Francesco da Torricella. Having reached the watershed ridge between the Marecchia and Savio valleys, the gaze can sweep over the two valleys. A beautiful path finally leads down to Sant'Agata Feltria, at the entrance of which are the Capuchin convent and the Poor Clare. The village is one of the main Franciscan sites in Montefeltro.

Distance: 21 km

Elevation Gain: +736/-716 m

From Sant'Agata, a short private transfer accompanies you to the start of the trail, at the highest point on the border with Tuscany. The landscape changes radically, passing from a bucolic and rural environment to a mountainous one, typical of the Apennines. The stage is mainly on gravel roads and paths that make the walk more comfortable, enjoying the views. The last stretch now runs through the woods on the slopes of Monte Fumaiolo. We pass by the hermitage of Sant'Alberico, probably founded by San Romualdo, whose presence has been documented since 1043. Continuing along a beautiful mule track, then along a splendid stone road, called 'Via Granducale', we reach the touristic hamlet of Balze.

Distance: 15 km

Elevation Gain: +1109/-535 m

From Sant'Agata, a short private transfer accompanies you to the start of the trail, in Pratieghi. You start walking in an Apennine environment, almost always in open and panoramic spaces between mountains, meadows, clearings and pastures. The route, which immediately enters Tuscan territory, in the first part proceeds mainly along scenic ridge roads and dirt tracks. On the way down to Pieve, a stop at the hermitage of Cerbaiolo, where Father Claudio, a hermit priest who also offers hospitality to pilgrims, lives, is a must. St. Anthony also stayed here in a cell below the hermitage and can still be visited today. From the hermitage, a steady hour's descent leads to Pieve S. Stefano.

Distance: 19 km

Elevation Gain: +447/-1093 m

Today you finally arrive in Chiusi della Verna. Head for the hotel and check in. If you arrive early enough, you can visit the Franciscan Sanctuary in the afternoon. The Sanctuary is opened every day of the year from 06:30 to 19:30 hrs (22:00 hrs in summer)

NOTE: To enter the Sanctuary, you need to cover your chest and arms and wear trousers / skirts long to the knee

Distance: 16 km

Elevation Gain: +1129/- 603 m

After breakfast end of our services.

This journey through the lands of St. Francis is perfect for those who want to experience a pilgrimage immersed in the magic, charm, and mystery of the Casentino forests, starting from the sea in Rimini and crossing valleys, woods, and villages. However, it is recommended only for those with prior walking experience, as the daily distances are quite long and some stages feature significant elevation changes, both uphill and downhill.

For our trips, we always select accommodations with private rooms and private bathrooms. In rare cases, shared accommodations or shared bathrooms may be included, so we recommend carefully checking the inclusions section to understand the type of accommodation provided for the trip you’re interested in.

We place great importance on the choice of lodging and select hotels with care and attention. We know how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We prefer welcoming and charming accommodations, ideally family-run, that truly embody the spirit of the place and can welcome you with comfort and warmth.

Where, due to the nature of the route, the choice of accommodations is limited, we select the option that best aligns with our standards.