PROGRAM:
Day 1 - Km 25 km (Elevation gain/loss -/ +: +500 m, -200 m)
Rimini – Verucchio
Our journey begins from the beautiful historic center of Rimini, we then quickly reach the first hills upstream of the city and the Marecchia valley. Continuing we arrive in Vergiano where we'll see a small chapel, a tribute to an ancient tradition: here San Francesco was hosted in a modest house where they offered him a stick as support for the journey (the current centuries-old cypress tree of Villa Verucchio). Overnight stay in Verucchio.
Day 2 - Km 20 km (Elevation gain/loss +/-: + 600 m, -300 m)
Verucchio – San Leo
Departure for the medium-high Valmarecchia, between steep cliffs dominated by fortified citadels. Every now and then you catch a glimpse of the breathtaking views from the ridge: San Leo (still distant), the castle of Montebello, the Pincio and Aquilone mountains also called the “Vescovo che dorme” (sleeping Bishop) for the unmistakable shape that made it an important reference point for the Romei pilgrims. Among pastures, cultivated fields and wooded patches, you reach the Convent of Sant'Igne, one of the most significant destinations of the path. Overnight stay in San Leo.
Day 3 - Km 20,2 (Elevation gain/loss +/-: +800 m, -780 m)
San Leo - Sant’Agata Feltria
From San Leo, a medieval town built on a mighty overhanging boulder, we descend to the bottom of the valley and then go up to the opposite ridge in the Savio Valley where Sant’Agata Feltria is located, a splendid ancient village rich in spirituality and mystical places. Overnight stay in Sant’agata Feltria.
Day 4 - Km 22,2 (Elevation gain/loss +/-: +1178 m, -678 m)
Sant’Agata Feltria – Balze di Verghereto
The landscape changes radically, passing from bucolic and rural to a mountain environment, typical of the Apennines. Along the way you will reach the Hermitage of Sant’Alberico, documented since 1043 and, according to an ancient tradition, founded by San Romualdo. From here San Francesco passed on his way to La Verna. Continuing in the woods you will meet the splendid stone road, called "Via Granducale", because it was built by the Grand Duke Leopold II of Tuscany for a grace received. Overnight stay in Balze.
Day 5 - Km 23 (Elevation gain/loss +/-: +810 m, -720 m)
Balze di Verghereto - La Verna
We are now between Romagna and Tuscany, under the rocky wall of Monte Fumaiolo. Between pastures and woods you climb to Poggio Tre Vescovi (1238 m) where the ridge path is part of an ancient medieval road. We then reach the Passo delle Gualanciole and the Passo delle Pratelle (1075 m), the junction point with the Via di Francesco which leads from La Verna to Rome. We will descend steeply to the Croce della Calla (1135m), under the wall of Monte Penna, to arrive, through a beech forest, at the Santuario della Verna (1128m), the point of arrival of your journey. Spiritual dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse of the Sanctuary of La Verna.
Day 6
La Verna Sanctuary and return
Please ask us for a quote on private trasfers, as the return to civilization with public transports it's a journey on it's own.
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