The Way of St Benedict

The route

I walked The Way of St Benedict in 2021, at the end of June, taking advantage of my summer holidays. This timing allowed me to enjoy mostly good weather throughout the journey, although I struggled with the heat, especially in the final stages.

Keep in mind that the route runs mainly through mountainous areas between 400 and 1,000 metres above sea level, almost always immersed in nature with outstanding landscapes. Days typically start early in the morning, passing through forests and small mountain villages along the Apennine ridge, with arrival at each stage's end in the late afternoon.

The route shares many similarities with the Cammino di Assisi, which I completed in 2020. It follows mountain trails with continuous ascents and descents, with few fellow pilgrims along the way, offering full immersion in nature until the end of each stage. It is possible to split or combine some stages, but there is less flexibility than on the Camino de Santiago; it is still advisable to book accommodation in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises. On this journey as well, I experienced warm hospitality: people attentive to pilgrims and always willing to help, making you feel at home.

This is a route that requires a good basic level of fitness, but overall it is less demanding than the Cammino di Assisi. Although slightly longer in distance, it has almost half the total elevation gain.

Official information is available on the official website of The Way of St Benedict, where you can also request the pilgrim credential.

Another very useful resource is the official guidebook of the route: The Way of St Benedict by Simone Frignani, published by Terre di Mezzo and now in its sixth edition. More information is available on the publisher’s website.

There is also a very active Facebook group where you can ask questions before or during the journey, for example about the route or accommodations on the various stages. It is also a place to share experiences and photos, helping you stay connected to the pilgrimage even after finishing.

Among the places that impressed me most, I highlight what I consider the three pillars of the route. In Subiaco, the Sacro Speco, a unique site carved into the rock, and the Monastery of Santa Scolastica, the oldest Benedictine monastery in the world. In Montecassino, the Abbey of St Benedict, the cradle of the Benedictine Order and Rule. From a natural point of view, the Prati di San Bartolomeo, a vast plateau in the heart of the Reatini Mountains at almost 1,500 metres above sea level.

The route starts in the town of Norcia and ends at the Abbey of Montecassino. It runs mainly through the region of Lazio, although the first stages are in Umbria.

Regarding backpack weight and contents, not much has changed compared to my other hikes; you can find tips and more details here.

As with this route, there is a pilgrim credential, a document certifying pilgrim status, carried along the way and stamped at each stage. It can be requested on the official website by filling out the form and is either mailed to your home or collected at a designated point.

The devotionis causa certificate of completion can be collected directly at the Abbey of Montecassino upon presentation of the credential.

Due to a limited number of holiday days, I combined three stages of the route, completing it in 13 days instead of the 16 days in the official itinerary. If you do not have time constraints, I do not recommend this option, as the combined stages are quite physically demanding. The terrain is predominantly mountainous, and the accumulated elevation gain during the day can be significant even when the distance does not seem excessive. This approach is therefore recommended only for those accustomed to the mountains and sustained effort. To fully enjoy the journey, slowness is an essential part of the experience.

The table below shows the distance for each stage. Clicking a row lets you view the start and end points directly on the map.

My Way of St Benedict in numbers

Gallery

In this gallery, you will find a selection of images from the 13 stages of my journey from Norcia to Montecassino. The photos are arranged in chronological order, and by selecting an image, you can browse the entire gallery.