Your JourneyThe Via Francigena was never a single ‘road’ but comprised several routes that changed as trade and pilgrimage developed and waned, the time of year, political situation and the relative popularity of the shrines of saints along the route. Today, the original Francigena follows the ancient Roman roads: the Aurelia and the Cassia which have become asphalt traffic-ridden roads. Our walks have been adapted to use paths and unpaved roads. Where possible they include some very historically and artistically important sites as well as respect the Sigeric route as much as possible. You can walk the route in eight weekly stages unguided with all arrangements pre-arranged i.e. accommodation, luggage transfers, walking notes and route maps provided. The stages are briefly as follows with more detailed trip notes available on request: Week 1: San Bernard to Pont St Martin (103 km) Highlights: the mountains; Valle d’Aosta villages and castles. Week 2: Pont St Martin - Garlasco (138 km) Highlights: Ivrea (red towers); Basilica of Ant'Andrea, Vercelli; St Albino Abbey; church of San Felice. Week 3: Garlasco - Fidenza (138 km) Highlights: Pavia's covered bridge; cross the Po River; San Iazzaro Hospital; Fidenza Duomo; Parma cheese. Week 4: Fidenza - Aulla (126.5 km) Highlights: Apennine Mts; Fornovo and Bercelo cathedrals; Cisa Pass. Week 5: Aulla - San Miniato (132 km) Highlights: Apennine Mts; walled town of Lucca; San Miniato. Week 6: San Miniato - San Quirico d’Orcia (125 km) Highlights: Towers of San Gimignano; Monteriggioni walls; Siena; La Collegiata. Week 7: San Quirico d'Orcia - Montefiascone (123 km) Highlights: St Antimo Abbey; the “crete” landscape; San Salvatore Abbey; Lake Bolsena. Week 8: Montefiascone - Rome (125 km) Highlights: Vic and Bracciano lakes; Cimi Mts; Sutri Cathedral; Veio; Rome (approach on the Appia Antica): option to receive benediction by a Priest on arrival in Rome. Detailed trip notes of each stage are available from A Walker's World, contact us below. TerrainModerate with some hilly terrain, challenging in the mountains on Stage 1. A good level of fitness is required as days average around 20+ km. MealsBreakfast daily with dinners optional (5 per stage) Prices per stage 2024Please note that pricing is per person in Euro Double/Twin Share (Including breakfast): €964 Double/Twin Share (Including breakfast & 5 dinners): €1137 Single Room Supplement: €163 Solo Traveller (Including breakfast): €1433 Solo Traveller (Including breakfast & 5 dinners): €1606 SPECIAL OFFER ALL 8 STAGES SHARE TWIN (Including breakfast)per person Saving €1324: €6388
Schedule 20242024: Start any day March – Mid November BookThe above is a short synopsis of this tour. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a more detailed itinerary and trip notes. |
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Via Francigena - the Path to Rome
Self-Guided Walking Tour - 8 Stages - 8 Days / 7 Nights each Stage
From the 4th century AD a great number of people wishing to visit the holy places started moving round Europe. As the number of pilgrims increased, Europe became covered by a wide network of roads which headed towards three destinations: Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela and Rome. To cater for the pilgrims a great many abbeys, monasteries, hospitals and shelters were built.
At the end of the 10th century the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sigeric, travelled to Rome and on his return journey he kept a record of the route and his stops. The 80 stages covering some 1700 km has become the basis for re-identifying the route today.
