Katharine walks the St Francis Way as a solo traveller

Spectacular views on the St Francis Way | Katharine McLennan

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Katharine Walks the St Francis Way as a Solo Traveller

In the lead up to a big European adventure can be slightly daunting - even more so if you're a solo female traveller.

In this fantastic review, Katharine shares why she chose UTracks for her self-guided walking tour through Italy. The route she chose was a stage of the St Francis Way, from Assisi to Spoleto.

Read on for Katharine's great write-up of her experiences.

Sunset view over Assisi | <i>Jaclyn Lofts</i>

"UTracks is awesome. My Assisi trip was one of the most beautiful trips I have taken in my 56 years.

I wanted to walk by myself, and the UTacks teamed up with a local Italian travel company to do everything for me—book the hotels and move my bags from hotel to hotel as I walked the track.

Spectacular views on the St Francis Way | <i>Katharine McLennan</i>

The app was AMAZING. It showed the daily itinerary, and the interactive map told me metre by metre where I needed to go and whether I was on track or not.

Navigation app | <i>Katharine McLennan</i>

It was far more accurate than Google Maps, and I loved all the commentary on what to look for and what not to.

The places I stayed were known as "agriturismo places." They are hosted by families on working farms. Those gorgeous families had farms and accommodations that sometimes dated back to 800!!! But all of them had done a fantastic job updating them to be modern, beautiful rooms.

I loved how warm the hosts were and how much they appreciated my stay. There were seldom more than 5 people staying each night.

A farmstay is part of the experience when walking the Via Francigena in Tuscany | <i>Tim Charody</i>

Canopy-covered bed in a charming handpicked agriturismo in Tuscany | <i>Allie Peden</i>

Enjoy your stay at this organic farmhouse south of Siena, Tuscany

The walk was fabulous -- and incredibly well-researched and noted. I was often the only one on the trails, but I always felt safe and looked after by UTracks in their 24-hour cover. I never had to use it - but as a single woman walking on her own through the Italian hills -- it is great to know that people know where I am.

Viewpoint on the St Francis Way path | <i>Katharine McLennan</i>

The preparation pack sent to me was also incredibly organised with equipment lists, hotel directions-- with all the contacts, and the contacts of the lovely fellow who would be taking my bag from place to place. He was fantastic -- and I also felt supported by him if things were to go wrong.

Walking into Assisi on the St Francis Way

I will definitely be working with UTracks again and can't wait to plan my next adventure."

> Thanks to Katharine McLennan for her lovely words.

About the St Francis Way

Follow in the footsteps of St Francis, who trod this path often, as you walk along the most picturesque section of St Francis Way through eastern Tuscany and northern Umbria, the ‘green heart’ of Italy.

The St Francis Way trail in Italy | <i>Katharine McLennan</i>

St Francis of Assisi | <i>Jaclyn Lofts</i>

Local producer in Italy | <i>Katharine McLennan</i>

The route follows an ancient Roman road linking Florence to Rome. The full path takes 32 days to complete, or you can opt for popular stages such as the Citta di Castello to Assisi section.

As you walk through dense ancient forests, orchards, olive groves and lush fields of produce, regularly passing hermitages, chapels and crosses dedicated to the saint, it’s not hard to imagine St Francis and the thousands of walkers and pilgrims after him wandering along this unique, spiritual and scenic Camino path.