Italy - Via Francigena from Aoste to Lucca

Day 1

Arrival in AOSTE .
Free visit of the city, the Roman vestiges, the August Arch or the fortified walls. Night

Day 2

AOSTE - CHAMBAVE – 19.5 km– 12 miles - 5h00
This first walk combines ups and downs in the Valley. You are surrounded by the vineyards along the footpath and numerous Castles like Quart, Nus, Cly and Fenis that you can see in the distance. Dinner and night.

Day 3

CHAMBAVE - VERRES - 21.5 km – 13 miles- 4h15
Follow the way to Châtillon and Saint Vincent where you will walk on the left side of the Valley towards the amazing Saint Germain Castle. The way goes down and then you can reach Verres where you will spend the night.

Day 4

VERRES - PONT ST MARTIN – 14 km – 9 miles - 3h30
A rich cultural stage today with the splendid St Martin Church in Arnad, the crossing of 2 antique bridges in Echallod and Bard and above all the entrance of Donnas along the roman road of the Gauls. You will end that stage in front of the roman bridge of St Martin. Night in Pont Saint Martin.

Day 5

PONT SAINT MARTIN - IVREA – 21.5 km – 13 miles - 5h00
The relief becomes softer, the slopes less tough and you follow the way combining villages and nature. Once in Ivrea take the time to visit the historic center of the city. Night.

Day 6

IVREA - VIVERONE - 20 km – 12 miles - 5h00
Follow the former Roman Via « strada Vecchia ». A peaceful stage at the foot of the Serra di Ivrea the largest moraine in Europe.The village of Piverone is also very nice and the views over Viverone lake are outstanding. Night in Viverone

Day 7

VIVERONE - SANTHIA 15 km – 9.5 miles - 4h00
Walk along the lake and towards Albiano d’Ivrea and enjoy the view over the amphitheater shaped by the moraine. You continue walking on peaceful roads to reach Azeglio and the Sanctuary San Antonio Abate. After the sanctuary keep on walking on a trail up to Alice Castello. End the day in Santhia.

Day 8

SANTHIA – VERCELLI - 23.5 km – 14.5 miles - 6h00
The stage crosses Vercelli plain and rice fields where numerous birds species live. The walk follows footpath of pastures and rural roads. In Vercelli you can admire the 2 towers of dell’Angelo and di Citta.

Day 9

VERCELLI - MORTARA - 32 km – 20 miles - 8h15
A long stage but without difficulty most of the time on gravel tracks far from the traffic. You will cross rural villages. Dinner and night in Mortara

Day 10

MORTARA - GROPELLO CAIROLI - 26 km – 16 miles - 6h30
Today the dirt tracks cross woods and fields, far from the touristic area. Rural villages and peaceful life typical of Italy. In Gropello Cairoli you can discover the impressive San Giorgio Church. Dinner and night

Day 11

GROPELLO CAIROLI - PAVIE 18.5 km – 11.5 miles -4h45
The walk unfolds on tracks along rice or corn fields close to the Ticino. Pavie is enchanting with so many treasures :Santa Maria del Carmine, The Certosa di Pavia as well as the oldest monument the San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro Basilica or the Duomo.

Day 12

PAVIE - BELGIOIOSO – 16 km – 10 miles - 4h30
Once you leave Pavie you take very peaceful roads up to Belgioioso. This short stage leaves the time to visit the fortified castle of the city.

Day 13

BELGIOIOSO - ORIO LITTA – 27 km – 16.5 miles - 6h30
This stage leads you to numerous small villages like Corteolona and Chignolo Pô Train to Ospedaletto. Dinner and night.

Day 14

ORIO LITTA - PIACENZA – 21 km – 12 miles - 5h15
Back to Orio Litta. Walk toTransitum Padi, for the boat crossing of the Pô River. Once in Piacenza, enjoy the numerous wealths of the city

Day 15

PIACENZA - CADEO 18 km – 11 miles - 4h45
Short walk to Cadeo. Dinner and night.

Day 16

CADEO - FIORENZUOLA D’ARDA – 13 km – 8 miles - 3h15
Today you leave the Via Emilia behind you and follow twisting roads. Short stage up to Fiorenzuola d'Arda.

Day 17

FIORENZUOLA D’ARDA - FIDENZA – 21 km – 12 miles - 4h15
A rich heritage all along the stage up to Fidenza.

Day 18

FIDENZA - MEDESANO – 21 km – 12 miles - 6h00
A lot of villages with a rich religious heritage during this stage. You leave the Po plain behind and enter the Appennines. The terrain is hilly. Stopover in Medesano.

Day 19

MEDESANO - SIVIZZANO PALAZZINA – 19 km – 11.80 miles -5h30
When you leave Medesano, you walk across a hilly landscape. After Felegara, you will find a natural area along the Taro River. From Fornovo di Taro,the relief is more challenging and offers varied landscapes. Dinner and night close to the reserve of Mone Prinzera.

Day 20

SIVIZZANO PALAZZINA - BERCETO– 23 km –14 miles - 6h30
When you reach Terenzo, you will observe the bell which formerly rang to help the pilgrims on foggy days. From there the path looks like a mountain track during 3 km and then you will find back a winding road up to Berceto, a charming mountain village where stands the monastery built by Saint Moderrano.

Day 21

BERCETO - PONTREMOLI – 26 km – 16 miles -7h00
Today the walk starts by the Cisa pass (1045 m) and then goes down to Pontremoli on a mountainous road. You will cross charming villages. At Pontremoli the numerous terraces create a Mediterranean atmosphere

Day 22

PONTREMOLI - VILLAFRANCA IN LUNIGIANA – 18 km – 11.8 miles - 4h30
The stage on paved roads all day long crosses however the Roman remainings of the former via. Night in Villafranca in Lunigiana.

Day 23

VILLAFRANCA IN LUNIGIANA- AULLA – 15 km – 10 miles - 4h00
From Villafranca in Lunigiana, you will cross the fortified village of Lusuolo. At the end of the walk you reach Aulla, 30th stage of the Sigéric route.

Day 24

AULLA - SARZANA – 17.5 km – 4h30
In Aulla you can visit the Fortezza della Brunella and the ruins of the Castello di Bigliolo. Night (dinner not included). You walk starts with a steep slope up to the fortified village of Bibola then the path continues through the mountain to reach Ponzano Superiore. Then you will enter Sarzana for the night.

Day 25

SARZANA - MASSA – 18 km – 4h30
Sarzana has been a city where the pilgrims have stayed for long. That is the reason why you will find a rich architecture and places that are worth the visit as Giacomo Matteotti square, Mazzini Street or the churches or the Duomo of the city. The stage to reach Massa is a peaceful walk even if the way yet offers a few surprises. Dinner and night in Massa

Day 26

MASSA - PIETRASANTA – 15 km – 4h00
En partant de Massa, vous marcherez sur une route un peu plus rural que celle de l'étape précédente. This stage is more rural than the previous one. Capanne and its castle, Pietrasanta and the beauty of the Duomo square, the Pretorio Palace or the Saint Agostini Church. Dinner and night.

Day 27

PIETRASANTA - MONSAGRATI – 19.5 km – 5h00
When you leave Pietrasanta, the landscapes are typical of Tuscany. Up to Camaiore, the Villas with exotic gardens, the hills covered with olive trees and cypress will be your background today.Dinner and night in Monsagrati.

Day 28

MONSAGRATI - LUCCA – 15 km – 4h00
Your way goes on a small paved road, then crosses small villages and modest chapels to find back the road a little farther. 4 hours later you will reach Lucca and its numerous monuments: Guinigi tower, Bernadini Palace, the Duomo, San Giovanni and San Frediano churches. The 2 squares San Michele and del Mercato are also must-sees in this lovely city.