Via Francigena Hiking Tours

This tour along the Via Francigena takes you on a historic pilgrimage route from Pavia to Fidenza, retracing the steps of medieval travelers who sought spiritual fulfillment in Rome. As you journey across the Po River by ferry, you’ll encounter the rich cultural heritage of Pavia’s medieval center and enjoy the serene agricultural plains of the region. The route offers captivating historical sites like the Cistercian Abbey of Chiaravalle della Colomba and Fidenza’s magnificent cathedral. Along the way, indulge in Emilia’s renowned cuisine, sampling delicacies like Prosciutto di Parma, culatello di Zibello, and Parmigiano Reggiano, making this a deeply cultural and culinary experience.

This tour explores a memorable stage of the historic Via Francigena, a route traveled by pilgrims for centuries on their way to Rome. Beginning in Fidenza, this journey takes you through the Apennines to Pontremoli, offering an immersive experience of nature, history, and spirituality. Along the way, highlights include the ancient Cathedral of San Donnino, with its inspiring bas-reliefs, the ascent to the Cisa Pass with sweeping views of the Lombardy Plain and Lunigiana, and the medieval Groppodalosio bridge. This section of the Via Francigena is a snapshot of the grand pilgrimage route that once connected people and cultures across Europe, capturing the spirit of devotion and adventure that defined medieval travel to the Eternal City.

The Via Francigena is a historic pilgrimage route that once guided countless travelers from Canterbury to Rome, the Holy Land, and Santiago de Compostela, symbolizing a quest for spiritual fulfillment. It emerged as a vital European thoroughfare over seven centuries, traversed by sovereigns, clergymen, and commoners. Originating in the Western Alps and winding southward through the Po Valley and Apennines to Rome, the route embodies the desire for unity in medieval Europe. Today, rediscovering this path reveals not only its spiritual and cultural heritage but also scenic landscapes like flooded rice fields, the Sesia and Ticino rivers, and the artistic richness of cities like Pavia. The journey offers a taste of regional cuisine, with specialties like Panissa, local meats, and traditional desserts passed down through generations.

Take a walk on an 8-day self-guided journey along the Via Francigena, from Pontremoli to Lucca, exploring a blend of nature, culture, history, and spirituality. This varied trek through Tuscany starts in the mystical Lunigiana region, famous for its ancient Stele Statues, before leading you to the sandy shores of Versilia. Along the way, you’ll pass through Pietrasanta, a haven for artists, and continue to Lucca, where Renaissance walls and charming streets await. This route combines lush countryside, medieval villages, coastal trails, and the artistic heritage of Tuscany, offering an unforgettable adventure through one of Europe’s historic pilgrimage paths.

A journey on the Via Francigena is like traveling back in time, and this self-guided route takes you from Montefiascone to Rome. Walk between lovely historic villages and through scenic Lazio countryside before reaching the incomparable city of Rome. This tour along the Via Francigena combines history, culture, nature, adventure, tradition, and great food into one amazing experience.

Beauty and adventure await you on this Via Francigena pilgrimage walking tour through Tuscany. Enjoy the best of the Italian countryside as you walk from Lucca to Siena along the ancient pilgrimage route. Panoramic views of rolling hills and vineyard stretch out before you like a painting on this incredible tour.

The Via Francigena walking tour from Orvieto to Rome Tour is a unique opportunity to walk and trek across an ancient pilgrim trail through the awe-inspiring landscape and historic villages before arriving in Rome, one of Italy’s most popular destinations.

This 9-day self-guided walking tour through the heart of Tuscany’s Via Francigena takes you from the historic town of San Miniato to the charming village of Buonconvento. Along the way, you’ll explore medieval towns like San Gimignano and Siena, traverse the picturesque Tuscan countryside, and enjoy local culinary delights, from truffles to traditional pici pasta. This route blends stunning landscapes, cultural treasures, and centuries-old pilgrimage paths, making it an unforgettable journey through Italy’s rich history and vibrant traditions.

At the beginning of the second millennium, thousands of pilgrims traveled across Europe searching for the “Celestial Land” in Rome, the Holy Land, and Santiago de Compostela. The Via Francigena, or “Way to Rome,” was among the most significant pilgrimage routes, linking Canterbury to Rome. Used for centuries by people from all walks of life, it was a symbol of unity, connecting various European cultures and beliefs. The path crosses the Swiss Alps through the Great Saint Bernard Pass, where pilgrims were aided by Augustinian monks and their iconic dogs. The route descends into Italy’s Aosta Valley, winding through vineyards, castles, and ancient towns with rich Roman and medieval heritage. Landmarks include Aosta’s Roman ruins, Chambave’s vineyards, the Bard Fortress, and the Roman bridge in Pont-Saint-Martin. The path’s final Italian stages lead through the historical town of Ivrea, which holds Roman relics and medieval fortifications. Rediscovering this route today reflects Europe’s enduring legacy of shared history and cultural connection.

This 10-day self-guided tour along the Southern Section of the Via Francigena offers an unforgettable journey from Siena to Montefiascone. As you explore this historic pilgrimage route, you’ll experience the medieval charm of Siena, the breathtaking rolling hills of the Crete Senesi, and charming hilltop villages like San Quirico d’Orcia and Castiglione d’Orcia. The walk blends Tuscany’s iconic cypress-lined paths, panoramic landscapes, and picturesque hamlets with cultural treasures like the imposing fortress of Radicofani and scenic Lake Bolsena. With delicious local cuisine, cozy accommodations, and stunning views at every turn, this walk immerses you in the beauty, history, and spirit of central Italy.

The Appian Way: Via Francigena Rome to Formia is a 12-day pilgrimage along a section of the renowned Via Francigena. This first part of the Via Appia is perhaps the most impressive section of the whole route, and certainly the part with the highest density of historical interest. This road for centuries has been the backbone of the Roman road system in southern Italy and the gateway to its colonies in the southern and eastern Mediterranean. While born as a transport road for soldiers, merchants, and everybody else, in medieval times the road was used intensively by pilgrims travelling from Rome, the Holy City, to the Holy Land.