Stefystar
Active Member
- Mar 7, 2016
- 144
- 141
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances from sarria 2015
Via Francigena Aquapendente to Rome 2016
Camino Portuguese from TuI 2016
HI Syates,I walked from Santiago to Assisi, but that was back in 2000, not sure if my experience will be useful to you, but feel free to ask any questions you might have and I do my best.
Buen Camino, SY
Hi Johnnie Walker,I walked in February this year when the snow lay on the ground. It was not bitterly cold and normal layers were fine. If I was doing this route again I would start in La Verna. There is no historic authenticity to the route from Florence but it involves a huge amount of effort!
Last year 2015 Sept/Oct. my wife and I walked the "Way of St.Francis," starting from Dovadola, Italy (This is where you register for the hike.) We hiked from Dovadola to Assisi, and on to Rome. It was a strenuous hike for us as you are spending days crossing the Apennines mountains. In the first 10 days we only met one other Pilgrim, a Frenchman. By Sept. we were only the 509th & 510th people to register for the year. While signage is somewhat iffy, there are four different Assoc. marking the route, so it can get confusing and in several places the signage just ended in the middle of nowhere. We are experienced Pilgrims, and this was the only time we have ever gotten lost. Due to the confusing signage, we walked a lot farther several days than intended. Accomodations/Refuges were no problem; because it was only the Frenchman and us, at night he would have a dorm w/shower, and we would have a separate dorm w/shower. The Italian mountain towns along the way are wonderful. We arrived in Assisi on the Feast day of St. Francis (one of the biggest holidays in Italy.) If you registered in Dovadola, they have a certificate waiting for you at the Cathedral of St. Francis. A good guide in English is "On the Road with St. Francis," by Angela Seracchioli. The little guide they gave us when we registered was not much use. It is a great trek - Buon Camino!Hi ,
I have became interested in this camino for next year, and I wander if anyone has walked on the steps of St Francis. As he was a pilgrim to Santiago himself, I am looking for any advice, best time to go etc..
Thank you☺
Hi DLJ,Last year 2015 Sept/Oct. my wife and I walked the "Way of St.Francis," starting from Dovadola, Italy (This is where you register for the hike.) We hiked from Dovadola to Assisi, and on to Rome. It was a strenuous hike for us as you are spending days crossing the Apennines mountains. In the first 10 days we only met one other Pilgrim, a Frenchman. By Sept. we were only the 509th & 510th people to register for the year. While signage is somewhat iffy, there are four different Assoc. marking the route, so it can get confusing and in several places the signage just ended in the middle of nowhere. We are experienced Pilgrims, and this was the only time we have ever gotten lost. Due to the confusing signage, we walked a lot farther several days than intended. Accomodations/Refuges were no problem; because it was only the Frenchman and us, at night he would have a dorm w/shower, and we would have a separate dorm w/shower. The Italian mountain towns along the way are wonderful. We arrived in Assisi on the Feast day of St. Francis (one of the biggest holidays in Italy.) If you registered in Dovadola, they have a certificate waiting for you at the Cathedral of St. Francis. A good guide in English is "On the Road with St. Francis," by Angela Seracchioli. The little guide they gave us when we registered was not much use. It is a great trek - Buon Camino!
Hola - I would only ever start in La Verna is I walked this route again. It is one of the most spiritual and special places. The route forward to Assisi is well signed and presents no difficulties.Hi Johnnie Walker,
Wow, brave walking in February with the snow!
I was considering Camaldoli or La Verna as starting point.
Was there any ford you had to go across? Did you meet other pilgrims on your journey?
Hi John,Hola - I would only ever start in La Verna is I walked this route again. It is one of the most spiritual and special places. The route forward to Assisi is well signed and presents no difficulties.
Buen Camino
John
Yes - I walked from Florence to Assisi and Rome earlier in the year. There are many other routes to Assisi. You will get more details on my blog including the guidebook to this route by Sandy Brown available from Cicerone.
Hi ,
I have became interested in this camino for next year, and I wander if anyone has walked on the steps of St Francis. As he was a pilgrim to Santiago himself, I am looking for any advice, best time to go etc..
Thank you☺[
My Camino friend and I walk in June and July this year. I started from La Verna to Assisi and Rome, total 23 days with one extra day at Assisi and one extra day at Reiti for Grecio. We had not met through hike pilgrims, very few doing sections either. We were the only ones on the trails most of the time, very hot, but no rain. It was raining heavily a few days ago, so some parts were very slippery.
Road condition wise much harder than French road, much more mountain climbing, and longer distance we put in most days. It was absolutely beautiful, however, and understand where St Francis drew his love of nature.
It is a completly a different Camino. I did Santiago alone, but this time with a friend. Recommend hiking with a camino veteran. We followed Sandy's book and his GPS maps. There were a few variations.
Burn Camino!
Hi John - wondering why you would start from La Verna as opposed to the official registration point at Dovadola ? Seems like a quiet route which really appeals to me however the confusing signage and walking DAYS out of your way is terribly disconcerting ! I would be soooo disappointed as I would be flying from Canada and indeed would want to make the finish point in a timely fashion without worry about missing flight etc.. Any more details would be greatly appreciated. I plan to walk it solo unless I can find a few pilgrimages on this site. Many thanks.Hola - I would only ever start in La Verna is I walked this route again. It is one of the most spiritual and special places. The route forward to Assisi is well signed and presents no difficulties.
Buen Camino
John
Hello Stefystar - I am hoping to walk the Assisi Cammino from Dovadola to Assisi at the end of April....Hi ,
I have became interested in this camino for next year, and I wander if anyone has walked on the steps of St Francis. As he was a pilgrim to Santiago himself, I am looking for any advice, best time to go etc..
Thank you☺
Hi DaveHi Stefystar and Freewalker...I hiked the route from Dovadola to Assisi this past summer (July 2016) and absolutely loved it! Very easy to get to through Bologna. The way is a challenging one as you are up and down elevations everyday and sometimes several times in a section. We met 4 other pilgrims walking during our hike...I don't think its a very busy pilgrimage generally speaking. Accommodations were perfect and easy to find...do call ahead each day to let them know of your planned arrival. We were fortunate to have an italian pilgrim that would call ahead for us I found this pilgrimage to be a walk in nature/forest. Most stages had small towns at the start and end of the leg with nothing but nature in between unlike my experiences walking the VF or Camino de Santiago. As far as trail marking go...could be better. The painted arrows they used were in dark green! Walking through the woods looking for a dark green arrow on a rock or tree requires a lot of faith and luck...fortunately the route crosses and uses several EU "day hike" paths marked in red/white so you do use those to guide you as well. Several signs directing you to various towns also. July, of course, was very hot...even at altitude. The journey is packed full of important places in the life of St Francis.
Happy walking! Let me know if there is anything else I can help with
Dave
I saw your blogs earlier. I'm am planning to walk from dovadola to Assisi to Rome in June/ July 2017. I just obtained permits from the camino di assisi to get to assisi. I planned to follow the sandy brown book from assisi to the Vatican in Rome. Will I need and how will I obtain a credential from assisi to Rome ? Will it be hard to get Refugio's and how long should I plan from assisi on which variation of the route. ThanksYes - I walked from Florence to Assisi and Rome earlier in the year. There are many other routes to Assisi. You will get more details on my blog including the guidebook to this route by Sandy Brown available from Cicerone.
Did you continue on to Rome and how or which permits did you get. I am going from dovadola to assisi in June and want to continue to the vaticanLast year 2015 Sept/Oct. my wife and I walked the "Way of St.Francis," starting from Dovadola, Italy (This is where you register for the hike.) We hiked from Dovadola to Assisi, and on to Rome. It was a strenuous hike for us as you are spending days crossing the Apennines mountains. In the first 10 days we only met one other Pilgrim, a Frenchman. By Sept. we were only the 509th & 510th people to register for the year. While signage is somewhat iffy, there are four different Assoc. marking the route, so it can get confusing and in several places the signage just ended in the middle of nowhere. We are experienced Pilgrims, and this was the only time we have ever gotten lost. Due to the confusing signage, we walked a lot farther several days than intended. Accomodations/Refuges were no problem; because it was only the Frenchman and us, at night he would have a dorm w/shower, and we would have a separate dorm w/shower. The Italian mountain towns along the way are wonderful. We arrived in Assisi on the Feast day of St. Francis (one of the biggest holidays in Italy.) If you registered in Dovadola, they have a certificate waiting for you at the Cathedral of St. Francis. A good guide in English is "On the Road with St. Francis," by Angela Seracchioli. The little guide they gave us when we registered was not much use. It is a great trek - Buon Camino!
Hi Johnnie, I am looking to walk Florence to Rome starting mid September can you tell me quickest and easiest way to get credentialsHola - we are talking about two different routes. I was walking the Way of Saint Francis from Florence to Assisi to Rome. The first days are of no historic significance and are very difficult. Therefore on that route I'd start in La Verna.
Buen Camino
John
Hi Johnnie, I am looking to walk Florence to Rome starting mid September can you tell me quickest and easiest way to get credentials
Thanks
Aussie jayne