You set off from Rome, leaving the Eternal City along the Tiber river with the possibility of following two guidelines: the Salaria director and the Tiberina director.
You will cross the Roman countryside and then that of the Sabina until you reach the Sacred Valley of Rieti, in the heart of this leg of the  St Francis of Assisi’s Way. In this valley, stand the evocative Franciscan sanctuaries of Greccio, La Foresta, Poggio Bustone and Fontecolombo, set in the greenery of the woods and, along the way, there is the Beech Tree of St Francis in Rivodutri with the peaks of Mount Terminillo all around. 
From Lake Piediluco, you walk along the Valnerina valley, or the valley of the Nera river, touching the picturesque villages of Arrone, Ferentillo and Ceselli. After going past the mountain of Monteluco, where the Sacred Wood and the Franciscan sanctuary of Monteluco are located, you will reach the Spoleto Valley, which was so dear to St Francis:  “Nihil iucundius vidi valle mea spoletana”. 
The trail unwinds along the gentle Umbrian valley with its villages full of art and beauty:  Spoleto, Poreta, Trevi, Foligno and Spello. The Italian landscape reaches heights of beauty and the cultivated countryside offers the pilgrim local products, linked to the history of the places. The walk takes place in Assisi, a true "city-sanctuary”. 
It is worthwhile spending a day in the city, dedicated to a very valuable historical, artistic and spiritual experience.  
To discover and learn more about the stages of the Cammino di Francesco in Lazio: click here

The stages of the Southern Way