On 27th April I set out to walk the Via di Francesco from Florence to Assisi to Rome with two friends. The trail is 322 miles long and involves 14,626 metres of ascent, which is quite a challenge carrying a full ruck sack! But 2026 is the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi, and it seemed the thing to do.

Of all the pilgrimages I have walked this was the one with the clearest association with the saint. The path takes in sites related to his life, there are many churches dedicated to St Francis as well as active Franciscan communities. The route passes through remote and beautiful mountains which were known well to Francis and his early companions, and pilgrims are surrounded by the natural world he loved.

As a medical student I saw the tragic consequences of leprosy, so I walked in support of the St Francis Leprosy Guild. You can find out more and support their work by clicking on the button below.