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Overview
The Camino of Italy, Via Francigena, is an ancient pilgrimage route that has been travelled for more than a millennium. The old path starts at the foot of the cathedral in Canterbury ends at the magnificent St Peter’s Square in Rome. The pilgrimage route, marked by Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury, is more than 2,000 kilometres long and divided into 86 stages.
During your walking holiday, which starts in Lucca and ends in Siena, you will immerse yourself in Italian culture, history, nature and gastronomy. With good signposting, you start and end your hiking day in one of the medieval villages. During 6 stages, you will be treated to magnificent views of Tuscan nature, picturesque villages and, last but not least, delicious food accompanied by a glass of Chianti wine. So step into the footsteps of Archbishop Sigeric and walk the beautiful route on the Via Francigena, from Lucca to Siena in 8 days.
The expression Omnes viae Romam perducunt, or all roads lead to Rome, was born on this pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena. Over the centuries, a large network of travel and trade routes has developed leading to the Eternal City, to Rome. It was Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury who put this pilgrimage route on the map. He made a journey to Rome in 990 AD to receive his pallium from the Pope. He marked and described this entire route in his diary and so the Via Francigena was born.
Every year, tenthousands of pilgrims headed south to Rome to visit the tomb of the apostles Peter and Paul. And it was precisely the merchandise and merchants who went north in search of the rich port cities in northern France and also Flanders. Abbeys were precisely the main markers during this route, and not cities. So it is not for no surprise that this route is now part of Europe’s cultural heritage.
Just like on the Camino de Santiago, you will be immersed in history, traditions, beautiful nature and stunning views on this pilgrimage route. The route starts at the foot of the cathedral in Canterbury. Then the beautiful white cliffs of Dover come into view where you literally follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims and cross the channel.
Once arrived in northern France, history plays an important role. Battlefields of World War I take centre stage during these stages before moving on to the Champagne region. There, Reims awaits you with its majestic towers
The Via Francigena continues through the Jura to the Alps. The imposing peaks then take you to the beautiful Lake Geneva and through the Apennines and Umbria you walk into beautiful Tuscany. There, rolling hills and picturesque villages like Lucca, San Gimignano and Siena await you.
The last kilometres go through the region of Lazio. Here lies the Eternal City of Rome. And will end this pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena at the impressive St Peter’s Square. A square specially designed for all pilgrims to receive them with such dignity. And where you can think back to this very varied but beautiful pilgrimage.
Then, well-deservedly, immerse yourself in La Dolce Vita. And where you might want to enjoy this beautiful city one more day…
Your trip starts in the beautiful city of Lucca. We will pick you up at the airport to take you to your first accommodation. The artistic city of Lucca immediately gives you a warm welcome. To get in the spirit, visit the cathedral or enjoy the breathtaking views from the kilometre-long city walls.
After all, the rolling Tuscan hills will be the scenery of your hiking trip for the next few days. End the day on a terrace with traditional dishes in which the ‘pomodoro’, tomato, is not to be missed. And of course the best way to taste it is with a glass of chianti wine. Perhaps ‘La Dolce Vita’ here tastes like more and you will want to stay an extra day.
From Lucca, you take the train to Alsopascio where you will start the first stage. It’s quite a few kilometres, but the variety of ancient roads, vibrant culture and beautiful nature make it lighter. Through arable land, over rolling hills and via an old medieval bridge Ponte a Cappiano, you reach a first climb. At the top, the picturesque village of Fucecchio awaits you.
Through the Arno valley and its so-called river, you will winding between vineyards and olive trees reach the beautiful San Miniato. This will require a final climb, which will certainly be rewarded. Enjoy medieval San Miniato in the evening.
It is time to leave beautifully located San Miniato and continue the hiking journey. So don’t forget to look back once today to see how beautifully and strategically located this village is on the ridge. Today you will walk on country roads, through rolling hills and fields full of cypress trees. And of course, mountainous terrain with a climb cannot be missed today either. But after this climb you will reach your final destination for today, Gambassi Terme.
Having already walked many kilometres on your Via Francigena, today it is time for a short stage. This will give you more time to spend it in beautiful San Gimignano, today’s final destination. The first section goes through a wooded area and the second goes through open countryside. The amount of olive trees and vineyards clearly show that you are in the middle of wine production.
And between all those beautiful views, you can see the famous, majestic towers of San Gimignano. They await you with pride.
Today is a quiet morning in San Gimignano, as a short stage is scheduled. The vineyards, olive groves and cereal fields will also be your companion on today’s walk. Over unpaved roads and through paths that go up and down, you will enter the valley of the Foci stream. Because you would hardly say it, but your final destination Colle di Val d’Elsa, is surrounded by the turquoise waters of the river Elsa.
Walking through the Tuscan countryside over the past few days was already a sight to behold. But today another beautiful stage awaits you. Continuing through the river park ‘Sentierelsa’ inside, you continue to Gracciano and the Romanesque Pieve a Elsa. Another place marked by Sigeric. In Strove, don’t forget to visit the beautiful church and in Abbadia the architectural structure.
From here, you can see the final destination in the distance. Monteriggioni too has majestic towers rising above the rolling hills. And not to be forgotten, a beautiful city wall worth a visit
Today is your last hiking day. Today, too, you get to enjoy the Tuscan beauties one more time. Forests, vineyards, wheat fields, olive trees and meadows alternate, you will miss them. As you descend the riverbed of Pial del Lago, your final destination comes more and more into sight. Siena, a vibrant city full of culture, history, squares and, of course, delicious food and drink
The perfect end to your walking holiday on the Via Francigena.
After your night in Siena and a delicious Italian breakfast, it’s time to head home. Or maybe you still can’t get enough of the Tuscan ambience and still want to stay. Let WAW.travel know and we’ll be happy to customise the trip to your wishes.
From this city, you will walk the Via Francigena to Siena. To reach this starting point, it's best to fly into Pisa. (You can easily get to Lucca by train or bus or we can arrange a transfer). Lucca is a vibrant, artistic city. Impossible not to fall in love with it and where you immediately are in the Tuscan butter with your nose. Beautiful views, rolling hills, history-rich city walls, vibrant culture and delicious, traditional cuisine.
The first walking day starts with a train ride from Lucca to Altopascio. This is where your first, real stage begins. You will walk a good number of kilometres today. Fortunately, the variety of ancient roads, vibrant culture and beautiful nature makes it bearable. The stage includes a climb to the picturesque village of Fucecchio. You will then continue through the Arno valley and its so-called river. And finally, while meandering among vineyards and olive trees, you will reach the beautiful San Miniato. With of course, to end the day, a final climb that will be amply rewarded.
A new day on your Via Francigena walking trip. As you leave San Miniato, don't forget to look back once to see how beautifully and strategically located this village is on the ridge. You continue the route along country roads, through rolling hills and fields full of cypress trees. You are in the Tuscan countryside, so a mountainous terrain with a climb is not to be missed. But after this little climb you will reach your final destination for today, Gambassi Terme.
After the long stages of the past few days, today it is time for a short stage. All the more time you will have to enjoy beautiful San Gimignano. You first walk through a wooded area which then continues into open countryside. The amount of olive trees and vineyards clearly show that you are in the middle of wine production. And right in this beautiful Tuscan picture you can see the famous, majestic towers of San Gimignano. Today's final destination where you can treat yourself to a delicious glass of Chianti wine.
Today you can enjoy an extra cup of coffee in beautiful San Gimignano. The Via Francigena continues with another short stage. Surrounded by vineyards, olive trees and wheat fields, you continue your hiking journey. Over unpaved roads and through paths that go up and down, you enter the valley of the Foci stream. A turquoise surprise among all the green and yellow, of the waters of the river Elsa that surrounds Colle di Val d'Elsa.
The scenery of the past few days already formed a beautiful picture, but today another beautiful stage awaits you. The route continues into the river park ‘Sentierelsa’. And you will also encounter more markers of Sigeric along the way such as Gracciano and the Romanesque Pieve a Elsa. In Strove is a beautiful little church worth a visit.Through the architectural structure of Abbadia, you reach Monteriggioni. You can already see this final destination for today in the distance as its majestic towers rise above the rolling hills. Don't forget to visit the city walls here, which have stunning views.
Today is your last hiking day. You can enjoy all the Tuscan wonders one more time. Forests, vineyards, wheat fields, olive trees and meadows alternate; you will miss them when you get home. As you descend the riverbed of Pial del Lago, your final destination comes more and more into sight. Siena, a vibrant city full of culture, history, squares and, of course, delicious food and drinks. The perfect end to your walking holiday on the Via Francigena.
After your overnight stay in Siena and a delicious Italian breakfast, it's time to head home. Your Via Francigena walking holiday has come to an end. Or maybe you still can't get enough of the Tuscan spheres and still want to stay. Or maybe you've got a taste for it and want to hike another camino? Let WAW.travel know, we'd love to help.
During your Via Francigena, you will walk with a small backpack. So make sure you only take the essentials here. Think of essentials like; enough water, nutritious snacks or other food, sunscreen and a rain jacket.
The weather is something we cannot control. However, we do recommend avoiding the hot summer months and doing this hike in spring or autumn.
At any time, you can contact us. Together, we will look at the situation and find a suitable solution.
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