STAGE 3: Castello di Piscina – Gubbio (21 km)

This last stage leads all the way to Gubbio and is the longest of the itinerary.
At the Castello di Biscina the path resumes along the Franciscan Trail and, after an initial kilometer slightly uphill, turn right following a steep descent that crosses an olive grove and enters the forest, then ascending on the right to the Church of Carpignone. Thus we advance, sometimes immersed in vegetation, sometimes coming out into the open, following the path that then reaches uphill theHermitage of San Pietro in Vigneto (km 6.1), one of the Benedictine monasteries where the Saint of Assisi passed.

An almost flat stretch gives way to a steep climb, and then continue on a falsopiano to reach the top of the hill (km 11.8) where the panorama of the Apennines, while to the west you can see the Vallingegno Castle and the Abbey where Francis sought refuge, receiving welcome, but having to reciprocate by performing the duties of a scullion.

The Franciscan Trail then proceeds for a stretch on a paved road, approaching the state highway that passes through Mengara, then veers right, descending toward the valley of Gubbio that opens before our eyes. At the bottom of the descent we walk for a few stretches alongside the state highway, reaching first the village of Ponte d’Assi and finally Gubbio, the wonderfully preserved ancient stone town that enchants every visitor with its shapes and spaces.

Length: 21 km
Height difference in ascent: 751 m
Downhill elevation gain: 804 m
Highest point: 678 m
Lowest point: 321 m

Place of departure: Gubbio
Place of departure: Castello di Biscina
Municipality of arrival: Gubbio
Place of arrival: Gubbio

Recommended period: April to October

Small villages, humble churches, medieval castles and wide landscapes: these are those places inUmbria that are part of a larger story and an itinerary that is a path for the body but also for the spirit.
It was the winter between 1206 and 1207 when St. Francis decided to move away from Assisi, where he was accused by his father of dissipating his possessions in order to give them to the poor, while dressing in rags he ridiculed the family’s good name. The Franciscan Trail retraces for nearly 50 km the route taken by the saint to Gubbio, where he took refuge with a friendly family, and later repeated countless times when he and his friars from Assisi, passing through Gubbio, went to or returned from La Verna.

Credits: Cai Gubbio