Day 11 Pietralunga: a hike through rain

Today we're going to Pietralunga. I have a modest inclination to set off. I'm very reluctant to leave the tasteful room with the wonderful view over the roofs of Città di Castello. In a former monastery, the monks' cells have been converted into rooms and apartments. The corridor, which has been largely preserved in its original state, and the old doors of the monks' cells, which I estimate to be at least 250 years old, are impressive.

Città di Castello, the noble city

Città die Castello is twice as big as Sansepolcro. Even though the two old towns are comparable, Città die Castello is the more elegant one, while Sansepolcro has more charm.

This stage is tough

A 30-kilometer route awaits me, but in the end it will be 36 kilometers and almost 10 hours of hiking. The last two hours drag on like chewing gum and I arrive dripping wet and at the end of my strength.

I could do without this section of the Way of St. Francis, and not just because of the length of the route. I almost always walk on asphalt roads or forest paths. Apart from a few very attractive views, the route is more monotonous than the previous days.

What is special about this route is that you run in Tuscany and Umbria. The landscape is more fragmented, and you can see more wine as well as olive trees. In Tuscany, pine trees and noble country estates dominate, while in Umbria it is the dry meadows and vegetable fields that catch the eye.

Unfortunately, all of this is somewhat lost because the clouds are hanging low and it is raining heavily every now and then.

The room that welcomes me after this extremely strenuous and tiring day is a dream. It is heated (that has only happened to me twice on my tour so far). And it is decorated with such love and attention to detail that it is actually a sacrilege to use it for just one night.

This is also one of the most interesting experiences: you always get a jewel box "pilgrim discount".