Location: Via Francigena, Val d’Aosta to Rome.
Length: 866km.
Difficulty: Challenging hikes in the Alps lead to easier trails along the coast and through Tuscany.
The view: For those who have the time and inclination, this is the way to discover all of Italy: from dramatic Alpine mountains to gentle Tuscan slopes, and from solitary monasteries to medieval-era cities.
Don’t miss: This trail was first documented in the 10th century by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sigeric the Serious, on his way back from Rome to his seat in Canterbury. His account was rediscovered in 1985, since when efforts have been made to recreate the route. Make the effort to learn the history of the route as you go. Did you know, for example, that in early Christendom there were reportedly three roads to Paradise? One went from Rome to Jerusalem, the others were the Spanish Camino de Santiago and the Via Francigena.
Pros: The Via Francigena goes through some of the most beautiful areas of Italy, and will take you through villages and towns you wouldn’t otherwise discover. Its revival is a new project, making it a quiet and peaceful trail.
Cons: This long hike can be done in segments, but if doing this, beware of the splits provided: they often end in a monastery or an abbey and not in a town with public transport. Otherwise consider applying for a “Credenziale del Pellegrino”, a pilgrims passport that will enable you to stay overnight at hostels and churches along the way. Also, in many regions the trail is poorly signposted.
The view from the medieval walled town of San Gimignano, on the Via Francigena, in Tuscany