Yes, it’s on again! Or should I say, the walking boots are on again, and I’m excited!
In 8 months’ time I will be stepping out across the Italian countryside, powering over the rolling hills and inhaling gelato.
Where am I off to this time?, I hear you ask.
From late August until mid-October 2018 I will be walking 1000-odd kilometres from Great Saint Bernard Pass in the Swiss Alps, due south to Rome. This journey is the Italian leg of the via Francigena pilgrimage route.
The via Francigena starts at Canterbury Cathedral in England, crosses the English Channel (obviously not on foot), treks south-east through France, through Switzerland and then downhill all the way ( 😉 ) to Rome. It follows the route travelled by Archbishop Sigeric, who strolled this way in 990AD. He enjoyed the walk to Rome so much, he decided to walk BACK to England, but this time he asked his scribe to record the direction, the villages visited, and each and every cathedral and church he worshiped at along the way. Again I marvel at the adventurousness of these people who stepped out without the aid of GPS or high-tech all-weather gear, and were subject to bandits, wild animals and starvation. Necessity I guess, but it makes our modern-day attempt at pilgrimage look pretty cushy.
In the interests of domestic harmony, I have decided not to walk the whole way in Sigeric’s footsteps and be content, this time, with just the Italian section.
I plan to fly into Zurich (Switzerland) and then train and bus up to Great Saint Bernard Pass. Yes, as the name suggests, Great Saint Bernard Pass is the home of the famous Saint Bernard dogs. The area is also home to a hospice which has been offering shelter to pilgrims since 1045AD. On day one I will walk downhill into Italy to start my 40-day journey to Rome.
Similar to the caminos in Spain, walkers carry a ‘credential’ which identifies them as a ‘pilgrim’ and allows the walker to access free, or heavily discounted, accommodation in monasteries, convents, and ‘ostellos’. As you can imagine, this can be pretty simple and Spartan accommodation, but a dry bed, and a safe bed, are the key considerations.
As well as the 40 walking days, I plan to have four rest days in:
- Vercelli
- Piacenza
- Lucca, and
- Siena.
I suspect I will find a million other gorgeous villages that I wish were also venues for rest days, but they will all have to wait for a return visit.
August will be the tail-end of the European Summer and the season will quickly change to Autumn as I proceed southwards. The weather should be kind with temperatures ranging from around 15°C to 27°C. Naturally it will start to cool down marginally as I head towards Rome and Autumn settles in properly. Fingers crossed it stays dry!
Looking at the maps, I plan to walk on average 25-26km per day. Although in all the online forums I have joined, people reveal that the distances in the guidebooks bear little resemblance to the distances they are actually covering each day! I am guessing there will be quite a few +30km walking days, and I am hoping that I will have my ‘walking legs’ by the time I need to be clocking up multiple long days.
While the Via Francigena has many similarities to a camino, the Via is far less well-known which means far fewer people, and much less camino-like infrastructure. In 2016, only around 11 000 pilgrims walked to Rome to claim their Testimonium at St Peter’s Basilica. Compare that with 277 995 people who walked a camino to Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. I understand it is well-waymarked in most places, but far less ‘pilgrim’ accommodation and catering arrangements. This doesn’t bother me too much as I tend to eat and sleep very simply when I walk.
At this stage, I am walking solo. Can I tempt you to join me? Are your feet itching for a good walk? Perhaps you don’t want to walk the whole 1 000km, however consider joining me for a stage or two, or seven.
So, this is my big highlight for 2018. I am so excited about my next long distance walk, even though it is over eight months away. It will be my very own ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ adventure, but a lot less romantic or glamorous! Yes, I know I am a wee bit strange, but I have been called much worse.
Wishing you and yours a relaxing and happy festive season and I look forward to hearing your plans for 2018.
What are you looking forward to in 2018?
The Basics
What: The via Francigena is a 1900km pilgrimage route established in 990AD.
Where: The path starts at Canterbury Cathedral in England and ends at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City, Rome Italy.
When: The path can be attempted at any time of year, although snow closes the Great Saint Bernard Pass from mid-Autumn to mid-Spring. You must schedule your walk accordingly or use public transport to cover this stage.
Why: Because these boots were made for walking.
How: By foot, car, plane, train, plane, train, bus, foot, foot, foot, foot, foot, foot, etc, train, plane, train, plane, car, foot.
Who: Everyone, including you!
Related Posts: To understand what it takes to walk 1000km, have a look at my post about walking the camino via de la plata in Spain.
Related Blogs: For great photos and quirky writing about the via Francigena, have a look at: https://caminoist.org/
Read About it: Grab your via Francigena guidebook and maps from Book Depository
Special thanks to Charl Durand and Laura Rust for the gorgeous photos.
Life...one big adventure 
Oh, rub it in now Mel!!!!
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Oh well, you can’t say you weren’t invited!! 😉 And the invitation will stay open! Melx
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wow sounds like quite a plan 🙂
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Yes, if I am going to travel all that way, I need to be organised! And be fit!! 😉
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That’s great..all the best.definetly waiting to here your experiences 😊
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Thanks. Hopefully I will have better luck blogging from Italy, than I did on my recent trip to India. I will keep you posted! First I’ve gotta get training and saving $$! Have a great day, Mel
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Glad I stepped in to say hi. 🙂 🙂 I saw your comment on Janaline’s this morning and on impulse came over. That’s quite a plan and part of me is a little envious. The other bit is probably more realistic. 🙂 I already have an invite from an American friend to walk the Camino this year and I’m gently saying no. Oh, but Lucca is beautiful! And I never made it to Siena on my couple of days in Firenze this February. Sigh! We plan to move out to our home in Portugal next year so I’m avoiding commitments. But still… jealous 🙂
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Sometimes it is just a matter of timing, isn’t it? There are so many wonderful adventures out there, but they have to fit in/around your existing commitments, and then it is a matter of listening to the adventure that calls you loud and long! Happy moving! And I am very envious of you having a home in Portugal!! Now THAT is jealousy! Take care and happy trails, Mel
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Thanks a lot, Mel 🙂 🙂 Can I include this post in next Monday’s walks?
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Absolutely! More than happy to share the love of walking…or is it madness??? Mel
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A bit of both 🙂 🙂
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Yep – it depends on the time of day! At the beginning it is ‘love, love, love’. At the end of the day when EVERYTHING is tired and sore it is “tell me again why I am doing this??? Voluntarily???” 😉
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oh my – that is a few miles to cover. Hope your walking legs come quickly, that your soles stay soft, your head stays relatively dry and that most beds are comfy!
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Thanks for all that optimism!! I am going to need it!! 😉
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Sounds fabulose enjoy every minute xx
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I will although perhaps not the last hour of every walking day when EVERYTHING hurts!! 🙂
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Wow! What an exciting journey you are planning! Will be keeping up with you as much as we can so keep posting! Love your blog by the way…
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Send us updates from time to time to https://familytravelhostusa.com/
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Yep – will do. The challenge at the moment is to focus on work and NOT walking!! 😉
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Many thanks for your support. Mel
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Great planning! Look forward to reports from your active trip.
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I have downloaded an app on my phone to countdown the days until I fly out. As of today it is 225 days, 5 hours, 6 mins and 42 seconds and I am soooooooooooo excited! Yes, I know I am a bit strange! 😉 Mel
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How exciting – we always say the anticipation is half of the fun!
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Yep! 203 sleeps as of today! 😉 Ciao
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This is freaking awesome!
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I love your enthusiasm!! 🙂 Perhaps you should join me??
Only 202 sleeps!
Have a great day. Mel
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I envy you a lot and I’m very curious to follow you on your journey.
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You may not envy me as I face huge hills and sweat through long distances!! 😉 But I am excited anyway. Perhaps you would like to join me??
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I’ll do a hiking journey through Armenia this year and I already have another hike/pilgrimage in my head for next year. But yours triggered my imagination immediately 🙂
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There is just not enough time and money to do all the hikes we want to do, is there?? In the meantime, we dream!
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You say it! 🙂
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Ooooh! I’ve never heard of this one! I’ve been researching places to take my trail shoes after the Appalachian Trail and I think I might add this one to the bucket list! Safe travels! 🙂
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A very different experience to the Appalachian Trail, I am sure! But no less enjoyable. I will keep you posted. 184 sleeps! Thanks Mel
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thanks for posting this, brilliant content – Calum
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Thanks Calum. Are you planning any long hikes? Mel
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