Walks to La Verna, the mountain of San Francesco

Franciscan philosophy in walks to La Verna

The path that from Chiusi della Verna leads to the Franciscan Sanctuary, making us cross the enchanted Bosco delle Fate

The spectacular route that from the Franciscan Sanctuary of La Verna climbs to Penna, the top of the sacred mountain

The itinerary that, crossing an incredible natural environment, goes around the Sacro Monte della Verna and climbs to Monte Calvano

The spectacular route of the Via Romea that crosses the Apennines at the Passo di Serra and descends into the Vallesanta, in front of the Verna

From the Prati della Regina to the Casella Hermitage. In the footsteps of Saint Francis in Catenaia. Itinerary of 17 km, but also shorter

Monaco Guido accompanies us on ancient routes characterized by beautiful nature and a particularly interesting history

WHERE TO EAT IN THE NATIONAL PARK

La Verna is something extraordinary, unique. On the other hand it is a large boulder made up not of the usual sandstone, but of limestone. In fact, this raw stone, as Dante Alighieri defines it, arrived here several million years ago from the depths of the sea and settled on a large clayey mass. This is the explanation why shells or other fossils of marine origin can be found in this mountain.
Here everything seems a miracle, and this is what Francis of Assisi must have perceived when he arrived there for the first time after receiving it as a gift from Count Orlando di Chiusi in 1213.
We know how the future saint lived in symbiosis with nature, with animals and plants. The Camaldolese monks dedicated themselves to the care of the forest, while in Franciscan philosophy, the forest had to remain spontaneous, as God had created it. This concept is important to know before embarking on a walk on and around the Sacro Monte. Here majestic plants vegetate in an extraordinary and fascinating disorder, something unlikely. Majestic beech trees sink their powerful roots into the rock, in some cases they embrace large boulders and with you understand where they can draw their lifeblood.
At La Verna there are several itineraries in which you can try your hand. There are two best known and most popular routes: the lower ring of La Verna, a path around the mountain, and the upper ring of La Verna, the ascent to the Penna, the top of the mountain. Both are spectacular for the environment we will find ourselves traveling. Another beautiful route is the one that crosses the Bosco delle Fate, an enchanted path that from Chiusi della Verna climbs to the sanctuary. Next to the raw Franciscan stone there is Monte Calcano. It can be reached in about forty minutes and a fairly demanding climb. Its top is a large meadow that offers a beautiful view from the Casentino to the Valtiberina.

THE WOOD OF FATE BETWEEN CHIUSI AND LA VERNA

ASCENT TO THE PENNA, TOP OF THE SACRED MONTE

A LAP AROUND THE SACRED MONTE AND MONTE CALVANO

A FRANCISCAN ITINERARY IN THE ALP OF CATENAIA

THE VIA ROMEA ON THE TOSCO ROMAGNOLO APENNINES

WALKING IN NATURE AND HISTORY ACCOMPANIED BY THE MONK GUIDO