Читать книгу The Way of St Francis. Via di Francesco: From Florence to Assisi and Rome онлайн

61 страница из 63

STAGE 3

Consuma to Stia

Start Piazza, Consuma Finish Santa Maria Church, Stia Distance 16.5km Total ascent 523m Total descent 1088m Difficulty Moderate Duration 6hrs 15mins Note No services are available along the way, so plan to purchase provisions the night before.

A long, downhill hike on forested mountain paths and quiet farm roads. Leave early to enjoy the charming historic center of the town of Stia on the banks of the Arno.

If you stayed at the Hotel Miramonte, return 200 meters to the top of the pass to rejoin the route.From the piazza head uphill 800m to the top of the pass. Across from the log house bar at the summit find the trailhead marked ‘So.F.T. Trekking, Anello Principale.’ Take this trail as it leads gently uphill and away from the highway under beech and pine trees.

In 400m you come to an intersection with a gravel road heading downhill toward Il Gualdo horse ranch. Turn right here for B&B Gualdo (Loc Gualdo 44, tel 0575 554057, info@ilgualdo.net, from €65, pilgrim discount). At this confusing intersection follow a path marked ‘Stia 00’ just to the left of the Il Gualdo road. You come to a fence and follow it toward a group of houses and finally an asphalt road where you turn left.