email: info@pilgrimroutes.com tel: (44)(0)1242 254353
'All roads lead to Rome' (Omnes viae Romam perducunt) - once upon a time this was not so far from the truth. In the Middle Ages pilgrims converged on the spiritual home of European christianity from all over the continent, upon arrival in Italy following the route that linked Rome with Canterbury - the Via Francigena, which, together with the Camino de Santiago, was the principal spiritual route of the great era of pilgrimage. By 2010 we will be able to offer the entire route in eight manageable self-guided sections, each a week long. In 2009 we will be able to offer the sections listed below. There will also be guided group departures.
The first week of the Via Francigena is probably the most fascinating from the landscape point of view. Spectacular alpine scenery and the Colle del San Bernardo, the highest point of the whole Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome. The itinerary crosses the Valle d’Aosta from north to south-east and passes through villages and towns founded during the Roman Empire and castles and fortresses, like Castle Verrès and Castle Fènis, constructed as defence against invaders. 7 nights.
Total distance: 115 kms/72 miles.
Highlights: mountain scenery, villages and castles of the Valle d'Aosta.
Terrain: paths 40%, white roads 30%, secondary asphalted roads 30%
Trekking altitude: between 345 and 2,500 m, average daily times 4h to 7h30m. Positive difference in height between 35 and 850 mt per day.
Departures: Saturdays from 13th June and 30th September (on other days for supplement of £70 per person)
Number of participants: minimum 2
Price: £650 per person based on 2 people sharing. Single supplement: £150
Included: accommodation in hotel**/***, hostels and agriturismo in double rooms with private facilities; bed & breakfast service; 6 dinners; luggage transfer; eventual transfer as described in the program; detailed description of the route and informative material.
GETTING TO BOURG ST. PIERRE: Nearest airport (160 kms) - Geneva.
Nearest train station: Orsieres (14 km from Bourg St Pierre). Bus takes 30 minutes. Time tables at www.sbb.ch/fr/.
DEPARTURE FROM POINT SAINT MARTIN: Nearest train station: Point Saint Martin
Nearest airport: Turin (68 km), Milano Malpensa (121 km), Milano Linate (155 km)
The starting point of the tour is Bourg-St-Pierre, a Swiss village that is at the door of Italy and rich in history as the ancient buildings, restored mill and numerous traces of the passage of the travellers testify. History and legend join in this place where it is easy to imagine the troops of the Roman Empire and later the troops of Napoleon that passed from the Colle del San Bernardo.
Altitude at departure: 1.632 m above sea level
This stage has a mainly symbolic nature as it will lead you to the Colle del San Bernardo, the highest point between Canterbury and Rome therefore of the whole Via Francigena. Mule tracks and paths bring you to the famous Hospice at on the Colle del Gran San Bernardo where San Bernardo di Mentone laid, more than 1000 years ago, the first stone.
Altitude at arrival: 2473 m above sea level – 11.50 KM – 5 h
Today's stage begins among the amazing mountain scenery of the Colle del Gran San Bernardo, and runs almost completely on a path that crosses St. Rhémy en Bosses, where the valuable raw ham of Bosses is produced, before arriving, between fields and woods, at the village of Etroubles, the former capital of the Gran S. Bernardo Valley in ancient times. It was the winter residence of the border garrison and is where Napoleon stopped during his descent into Italy.
Altitude at arrival: 1270 m above sea level – 13 KM – 4 h
The leitmotif of this stage are the 'Rus', water canals that decisively contributed to the development of agriculture in these areas. Walk along these canals before the steep descent towards the city of Aosta, which has many legacies of its Roman past the Porta Praetoria, the Theatre and some stretches of the walls. The medieval cathedral rise on the remains of a IV century Domus Ecclesiae.
Altitude at at arrival: 580 m above sea level – 16 KM – 4h30
From Aosta the itinerary continues up the Valley, between wine groves and castles, across the Chemins de Vignobles. Following an irrigation canal you arrive at the XII century Castel' Quart and then Castel' Nus, while in the valley bottom you can see the Castel' Fénis, residence of the Challant family. Arrive for overnight at Chambave, a little town of the Mountain Community of Monte Cervino. Notable are the Church of San Lorenzo with Romanesque bell tower and all around the renowned Muscat wine groves.
Altitude at the arrival: 470 m above sea level – 27.50 km – 7h30
Walking along a panoramic path you pass over the basins of Chatillon and Saint-Vincent to reach Verrès, located on the banks of the Evançon. The Castel' Verrès is an example of gothic fortress, cubic in shape and with walls two metres thick, reachable only on foot and along a mule track.
Altitude at arrival: 370 m above sea level – 27 km – 7h15
This last stage is rich in fascinating items: the XI century Benedictine Church of San Martino at Arnad; the splendid XVIII century bridge of Echallod and the medieval bridge and the huge Fortress of Bard. Finally, the Strada delle Gallie (street of Gauls), with much of its original paving, and the Roman bridge of Pont St. Martin.
Altitude at arrival: 345 m above sea level – 20 km – 6h30
Ater breakfast end of the tour or continuation to Ivrea if you have booked one more week tour.
The second week crosses the north of Piedmont and finishes in Lombardy, from the Alps to the Pavese plain. There are contrasting landscapes: the Alps above Ivrea, the hills around Vercelli and the wide plain before it. Towns rich in history with ancient medieval towers, basilicas and Renaissance buildings, alternate with the likes of Lake Viverone. Finally, the Sanctuary of Madonna della Bozzola, consecrated to the blessed Virgin Mary and a destination for pilgrims. 7 nights.
Total distance: 113 kms/71 miles.
Highlights: Ivrea and Vercelli, Lake Viverone, Piverone Bell Tower, Sanctuary of Madonna della Bozzola.
Terrain characteristics: paths, white roads and secondary asphalted roads.
Trekking altitude: between 0 and 345 m, average duration of the stages between 4h and 6h30. Positive difference in height between 0 and 150 m per day.
Departures: Saturdays from Saturdays from April to October (on other days for supplement of £70 per person)
Number of participants: minimum 1
PRICE: £650 per person based on 2 people sharing. Single supplement: £150
INCLUDED: accommodation in hotel**/***, and agriturismo in double rooms with private facilities; bed & breakfast service; 6 dinners; luggage transfer; eventual transfer as described in the program; detailed description of the route and informative material.
GETTING TO PONT ST. MARTIN: Nearest airport Turin – Caselle (68 km), Milano Malpensa (121 km), Milano Linate (155 km). Nearest train station: Pont St. Martin
DEPARTURE FROM GARLASCO: Nearest train station: Garlasco Nearest airport: Milano Linate (57 km), Milano Malpensa (91 km), Bergamo – Orio al Serio (104 km), Turin – Caselle (164 km)
The departure point of the first stage is Pont Saint Martin, the little village located on the frontier between Valle d’Aosta and Piedmont, which owes its name to the Roman bridge dating back to the 1st century B.C.
Height at departure: 345 m a.s.l.
Crossing the Canavese brings you into Piedmont, winding among countryside areas, hamlets and woods. From the hills located north of Ivrea, you will see distant Montalto castle, a huge fortress with high towers dating back to 1300. Arrive in Ivrea, located on the banks of the river Dora Baltea, in an area which is rich in environmental and geological features, and surrounded by five glacial lakes. You may visit Conte Verde’s Castle located in the city’s historical centre, close to the Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace. San Bernardino’s church has ancient origins and houses a precious collection of frescos representing the life of Christ, painted by Martino Spanzotti.
Height at arrival: 253 m a.s.l. – 20.6 KM – 6 h
The first part of the today’s stage wanders through the countryside and then across hills with good views over the valley. Continue to Lake Viverone, with crystalline water and rich in uncontaminated plant and wild life. Nearby is the village of Piverone, with an interesting Bell Tower. This village was founded in 1200 and it was completely fortified with walls and defensive towers.
Height at arrival: 287 m a.s.l – 18.3 KM – 5h20
After a quiet walk beside Lake Viverone, continue through woodland to cross one of the last hills before reaching the plain. The first village you meet during the long passage across the Padana plain is Santhià, an agricultural centre where two branches of the Francigena Way join: one towards the Gran San Bernardo Pass and the other one towards the Susa Valley. Worth seeing here is the neoclassical public palace and the Church of S.Agata dating back to the X sec.
Height at arrival: 183 m a.s.l – 14.7KM – 4h10
This is the first completely flat stage and it goes for the most part on country tracks in a landscape of fields and farm houses. Reach the city of Vercelli, strategic junction at the cross of two branches of the Francigena Way (Jacob toward Turin and Susa Valley, and Sigeric toward Valle d’Aosta) at the end of this stage - medieval Cavour square is almost surrounded by ancient houses and is overlooked by the medieval Angel Tower. The neoclassical Cathedral is imposing, but most important is the renowned Basilica of Saint Andrew, a masterpiece of the Romanesque-Gothic of North Italy.
Height at arrival: 130 m a.s.l – 24.5 km – 6h30
After a short walk in the countryside, continue along the banks of the river Sesia. The itinerary becomes wooded as you cross the border between Piedmont and Lombardy. Near Palestro, you will leave the river to reach Robbio, an important agricultural and industrial centre on the Pavese plain.
Height at arrival: 120 a.s.l – 16 km – 4h
First you continue across the Pavese countryside to Mortara, battleground of the Franks and the Longobards of King Desiderio, and the home of Salame d’Oca (goose salami ). From here you continue by train to Garlasco, one of the main towns of the Lomellina area, and well known for the Sanctuary of Madonna della Bozzola, 4 km far from the town centre and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Maria.
Height at arrival: 93 a.s.l – 19 km – 5h + train Mortara/Garlasco
After breakfast end of the tour or you can continue towards Pavia if you have booked one more week.
This week takes place entirely on the plain and runs first along the Ticino and then along the Po river crossing the border between Lombardy and Emilia Romagna. This is mainly a rural area rich in medieval abbeys and monasteries and in the beaitiful towns of Pavia, Piacenza and Parma. In some stretches, now covered in busy roads, it is not possible to follow the original route, but nearby there are many signs of it. 7 nights.
Total distance: 128 kms/80 miles.
Highlights: the historical centres of Pavia, Piacenza and Parma, the natural park of the River Ticino, Chiaravalle Abbey, quiet walks among fields and typical rural houses Terrain characteristics: paths, white roads and secondary roads Trekking altitude: the tour take place in a completely flat area with an altitude a little over the sea level; average duration of each day between 4h and 7h
Departures: Saturdays from April to October (on other days for supplement of £70 per person)
INCLUDED: accommodation in hotel**/*** , hostels, and agriturismo in double rooms with private facilities; bed & breakfast service; 6 dinners; luggage transfer; eventual transfer as described in the program; detailed description of the route and informative material.
GETTING TO GARLASCO: Nearest airport: Milano Linate (57 km), Milano Malpensa (91 km), Bergamo – Orio al Serio (104 km), Turin – Caselle (164 km)Nearest train station: Garlasco
DEPARTURE FROM PARMA: Nearest train station: Parma Nearest airport: Parma, Bologna – Marconi (96 km), Milano Linate (125 km), Milano Malpensa (180 km), Bergamo – Orio al Serio (167 km)
Day 1: Garlasco is one of the main towns of the Lomellina area and it is renowned for the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Bozzola, visited every year by pilgrims and believers. Height at departure: 93 m a.s.l.
Today's stage is in two parts: the first one across the plain and the second along the banks of the Ticino, the river that connects the Lake Maggiore with the river Po. The area, the first regional park in Italy created in 1974, can be visited by foot, by bike, by horse or with a canoe and is an area of monasteries, abbeys, convents and basilicas. The stage ends in Pavia, one of the major halts on the Via Francigena. Much to see here - the Visconteo castle built in 1360; XII century San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro (mentioned in the Divine Comedy); the Cathedral; San Michele Maggiore, a Romanesque Basilica of the XI century; the famous Ponte Coperto (covered bridge) on the river Ticino and the Palazzo Bottigella.
Height at arrival : 77 m a.s.l. – 24.5 KM – 6h30
Today we follow the river Ticino, that shortly enters the river Po. The itinerary continues parallel to the main road to Cremona, but you may walk across the countryside in the surroundings of Pavia among fields and woods. At Belgioioso, there is Belgioioso Castle, a neo-classical residence built in the XIV century by Gian Galeazzo Visconti.
Height at arrival: 71 m a.s.l. – 27 KM – 7 h
Leave Corteolona on a good track leading towards Santa Cristina, a ruined abbey. The itinerary continues across fields close to the hills to Chignolo Po Castle, place of rest for pilgrims on the Francigena Way since the Middle Ages. The castle, built in 1200, is impressive as result of numerous refurbishments over the centuries. Finally, Lambrina, a village taking its name from the River Lambro.
Height at arrival: 60 m a.s.l. – 15.5 KM – 4 h
Orio Litta is an interesting village that is worth a visit before reaching Corte Sant’Andrea, crossing point for the ferry across the river Po and docks in the same place where Sigerico passed 1000 years ago. If you do not want take the ferry or if the ferry is not available, the itinerary continues along the north bank of the river and arrives at Piacenza. In the centre of Piacenza is a big square, Piazza dei Cavalli, overlooked by the gothic Pub