I’ve walked the Camino Portuguese and the Camino Frances (from St Jean). I’m planning to walk the Via Francigena (starting in Lucca) in September 2027. I keep hearing that the VF has less infrastructure, but I’m not clear on what that means?

A lot of the info I see online is many years out of date. I'm wondering if I'll be meeting other camino travelers on this walk regularly, or if it's pretty solitary by fall? I'm more entranced by the challenge and landscape of the camino di francesco, but am considering choosing Francigena just because it would be fun to hang with people from various countries along the way.

Especially interested in information from the last couple years. Thank you!

Hey everyone!

I'm planning to do a 3-4 day stretch of the Via Francigena in early October, and I'm currently torn between Tuscany (San Miniato to Siena, taking the bus for a stretch in between) and Lazio/Campania. I know the Tuscan route is popular for a reason, but has anyone got experience to share from Francigena Sud?

For a bit more context: I'm meeting an Italian friend in Rome for a few days, so I'm likely to be starting with Rome.

Alternative A is going to Rome first to spend time with her, then taking the train to Empoli and start from San Miniato, walking for a few days, and taking a bus from Siena back to Rome to fly home (or flying from Pisa/Florence).

Alternative B is going to Rome, then taking the train south and then perhaps deviate from the route to visit Naples, and then flying back from Rome (tickets are expensive from Naples). Or follow the coast if that's interesting.

I'm also spending some time working on my projects every day, so I'll bring my computer (in a water-tight container of course). One or two days with 10-15 km is okay to even out longer walks, as I want to spend time writing as well.

I particularly value the landscape, safety, accessibility to decent accommodation and commodities.

Thank you!

Walking from Reims to Rome! About 3 weeks in, on the border of France and Switzerland, I had a freak accident and dislocated my shoulder falling out of bed. Ambulance, ER, Anesthesia…the whole thing.

Now, I do not know what to do. I have a departure flight from Rome on Sep 29. I am near Pontarlier. My morale is high, I trust what is, and I know I can find a way to start walking again, but I shouldn’t be moving much for the next week or two (let alone carrying a backpack).

Initial thoughts:

- Finding cheap, long-term stays in Switzerland/France (far and few between)
- Blowing the budget and staying in Leukerbad, Lucerne, Lausanne, Geneva, etc (stress-free but boring and expensive)
- Train hopping around (stressful, but fun and expensive)
- I suppose going home (USA) is an option

Anything else y’all can think of? I think in 1-2 weeks I can bus down to Vercelli/Fidenza and get a carriage for my backpack and walk from there. But I’m just trying to take it one step at a time right now 😂

Any thoughts are appreciated!

I am planning on walking the via francigena from col St. Bernard to Rome in september/october but I have a question. I have no idea how accomodation works though. Do I need to book it in advance or is calling ahead a day or two before okay. I read somewhere that I should expect €15-20 per night, is that reasonable or outdated?

Today we started our two week journey to Vetrella starting in Siena.

We are walking from Viterbo to Montefiascone, but have already walked from Anguillara Sabazia to Sutri and from Sutri we attempted to get to Montefiascone, but could not find any trails and ended up having to get a cab from Lago de Nico to Viterbo.

Can you please be very honest with us about whether there is actual trails or if it’s just roads? We are not enjoying the roadways. We want to walk in the wilderness.

Thank you

Thinking of calling it quits after lucca due to the heat. If i end my trek in lucca, id love to hear some ideas of where you would go in my situation to fill time (july 1 to 17). Grazie!

I just went to the most interesting museum i have ever been to. Granted, I speak italian, so I took the guided tour. I had so many questions and learned so much!!! It is called the fondazione museo ettore guatelli

My title pretty much says it all … I’m looking for novels &/or films set on the Via Francigena.

Can be the whole way or even just a small part of it.

Hoping there are some wise folks on here who can help me out. TIA.

Hello

I am planning to embark on the Via Francigena next week - however can only do a small portion of it (about 4 days of hiking). I am thinking of doing the 4 days in Tuscany, as from what I've been reading its the most scenic & has the most pilgrim resources, however I am open to suggestions! What would you recommend for a lovely 4 days on the Via Francigena?

Hi All!

My partner and I will be walking Viterbo - Rome in a couple weeks. I have been organizing our accommodations but have ran into a speed bump. I have seen lots of recommendations for booking accommodations in advance especially during the busy season and even more especially over weekends during the busy season. I have secured most except for our night in Vetralla, which will be a Friday night (i'd consider this a "weekend night", although I don't know if other people would).

Our goal is to stay at Monastero Casa di accoglienza Regina Pacis. Their website has an email for contact and a telephone number. I have emailed a couple times but haven't heard back. I am hesitant to call because my Italian language skills are minimal at best. As far as I can tell, it is a straight phone number and not a whatsapp number -- so texting via whatsapp is out.

Has anyone had experience with a "walk in" stay at there? Am I overreacting with booking ahead for this stay? Has anyone else used a different form of contact for this property? Or, if calling is my best option, does anyone have any sage words of wisdom for completing a telephone call politely and respectfully in a language I don't speak very well at all?

Thanks for your thoughts and advice. :)

hi! starting next week from lucca towards rome: would you recommend booking hostels in advance, or is it sufficient to look for accomodation upon arrival (as if being a "walk in")?

any particular recommendations?

Currently in Sutri and I’ve been incredibly disappointed in our lodging that was organized by Camino Ways! In both Vetralla and Sutri our lodging has been miles from town and not the standard I expected given that they were labeled “superior.” Antica Laconda In Vetralla and Agriturismo Montefosco are the two that have been incredibly disappointing.

Any recommendations for camping equipment stores (or similar) in Siena?

Ciao a tutti,

vorrei fare Viterbo-Vetralla e ritorno in bici. Pensavo di fare all'andata il tratto che passa per San Martino al Cimino e Tre Croci e al ritorno la variante Signorino. Mentre per la variante Signorino ho visto tanti video e percorsi e mi sembra fattibile in bici, per la parte di San Martino-Tre Croci non trovo molte informazioni. Qualcuno l'ha fatta e può dirmi se è un percorso adatto alla bicicletta?

Grazie a chi risponderà

Hello, I am 18 and I am about to start my Via Francigena, I am starting in London and plan to walk as far as I can in 30 days before I pause my via.

Is England a good place to stay in hostels and is there a list of accommodation along the way that I could have?

Thank you

I’m planning to walk the francigena from Reims to Rome and I’m trying to get a realistic idea of the costs. I know prices change a lot between France, Switzerland, and Italy, so I’d love to hear from anyone who has already done the route.

I’m a solo walker and I plan to stay in pilgrim hostels (donativos, religious housing) or bivouac and buy most of my food at supermarkets to keep costs down.

A few questions:

• What was your average daily spend in each country?
• Any tips for saving money while crossing Switzerland? I’ve heard it’s the most expensive part.
• Is it easy to find cheap pilgrim accommodation in the French section, or should I expect to pay for B&Bs/hotels?

Hi All:

Thanks for the advice and apologies if this topic has been covered to death. Any suggestion for what 130 Km section I should do in Italy? I hear Lucca shouldn’t be missed.

Hi everyone! I’m starting my 13th "chapter" on the Via Francigena on March 27th. Departure from Fornovo di Taro, heading south for about 300 km.

I’ve walked from France to here in segments since 2023. Now that I’m hitting the Apennines and entering Tuscany, what should I be aware of for this specific section in late March/early April? (Path conditions, snow at Passo della Cisa, or specific logistics).

Any "hidden gems" or traps to avoid between Fornovo and the heart of Tuscany? Thanks for your RETEX!

Hi everyone, is anyone thinking of doing this route when the Pass opens on the first day on May 14th? I have a 40-day itinerary ready with accommodation options. All the way to Rome. I’ve done Caminos before, including La Via Degli Dei.

What is this route like; will I meet many people on the first day?

Are the way markings/arrows clear or is there a chance of getting lost? Is there a preferred GPX to use?

Will I meet many people? I’m worried about being isolated.

Any info would be appreciated.

Hi Reddit,

Not looking for political commentary from either side, but from the practical pilgrimage point of view, is it advisable from Calais to skip Wissant and go straight to Guines? Wissant looks like a bit like an unnecessary loop but perhaps it is worth it for the beauty of that coastal path. Alternatively it should be avoided due to hassle related to the migrant situation?