DAY 14 - CITTÀ DI CASTELLO to PIETRALUNGA - 4 May 2026

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After homemade jam tart for breakfast we headed out along the Via di Francesco. It was a pleasant, undulating walk today with well marked paths. We nearly stepped on a snake who was digesting his meal. We ate our apples at a well placed bench and waved to a passing pilgrim. 

Signs warned us to be aware of dogs guarding sheep. Luckily the only ones we met were behind fences.

We stopped to visit one of the oldest churches in Umbria. There was a refuge for pilgrims there and the volunteer in attendance gave us coffee. We had a brief chat to him and the pilgrim who had passed us earlier. 

We continued on our way, finding a piece of old farm equipment to perch on in lieu of a bench, as we finished off our jam tart. We were passed by the same pilgrim again, as well as another one. 

Eventually the Via took us through the old part of Pietralunga, with many stone buildings. We followed a group of Columbian pilgrims to our accommodation. 

At dinner tonight we played 'guess the pilgrim' - the hiking sandals are a give away! Most of the restaurant was filled with pilgrims, very good for this small village. 

Breakfast
Setting off for the day
You can just see the Agriturismo where we stayed last night. Over there.
More wonderful scenery as a backdrop to today's walk
A row of Italian cypress trees
Farmyard scene
We often stop to take photos as we walk
This attractive stone fountain was the setting for this morning's morning tea break
Chiesa di San Crescenziano, Pieve de' Saddi
Pieve de' Saddi 
Overtaken by another walker. There are so many on this path at the moment. 
View of Pietralunga as we approached
A fountain set in what looks like a communal wash tub on the way in to Pietralunga
A bit more uphill on the way in to the town
Pietralunga
Pietralunga
Truffle-hunter statue,  Pietralunga
Following more walkers to our accommodation in Pietralunga
Dinner. Well, the last part of dinner. There was a bit more beforehand. 
Some bits and pieces in Pietralunga
Flowers
Some sheepdogs, some pretty ordinary birds, and a snake eating a toad 
Day 14 - Map
Day:                                14
Distance:                       23.99 km
Walking time:                5 hrs 17 mins
Elevation gain:              757 metres
Cumulative distance:  282.49 km

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