Via Francigena

You need to be a regular walker and in good physical shape to complete the Full Via Francigena. If you are doing shorter stages then these are less demanding, but the per day mileage still includes longer distances on some days and a couple of the stages include ascents and descents, especially in the foothills of the Alps at the start of the Via Francigena route. We would recommend taking training walks carrying your daypack ahead of going on this tour.

The first few days of the walk is the trickiest due to the mountainous terrain. As this route tries to remain as true to the original pilgrimage route as possible, you will not only walk on trails and unpaved roads but also on asphalt part of the way. The ‘traditional’ walk is alongside some busy main roads, which is at times why we give alternate route suggestions, (especially near Rome). Please take care when walking along roads and always be mindful of traffic.

This route ranges from easy to strenuous, depending on which stage or stages you choose. Each tour variant has a grade, and within that tour individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

You'll stay in a variety of accommodations along the way, ranging from 2, 3 and 4-star hotels to B&Bs and guesthouses. In some of the more remote towns and villages there's only one option available, and these can be simple and rustic - that comes down to the location, not a lack of choice on our part.

Because some overnight stops are in smaller towns, a handful of hotels sit 1-2km from the trail itself, or in a nearby village - we'll always give you clear directions to and from the route, though it may mean a slightly longer or shorter walking day than the stage distance suggests.

If you'd like extra time to rest, recover, or simply take in some of the historic towns along the way, it's easy to build in additional rest days - just let us know when you book.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

Daily breakfasts are included throughout, usually a continental or Italian-style spread with a choice of bread, croissants, meats and cheeses. It's often possible to order a packed lunch from your hotel or B&B the evening before, or you can pick up lunch from a grocery store, café or restaurant along the way. Dinner isn't included as standard, but can be added if you'd like it taken care of each evening.

Most sections of this route run from around mid-March to the end of October, and you can start on any date within that window. If you're tackling the Alpine stage near the start of the route, or walking the full route end-to-end, the season is shorter - mid-June to mid-September - since the high mountain pass stays snowbound outside those months.

Spring (April to June) is a lovely time to walk, with pleasant temperatures, and autumn (September into October) brings a landscape of gold and red, with the heat of summer behind you. July and August can get very hot, so plan to start early in the day, take a long lunch, and finish walking in the cooler late afternoon. Booking over the winter months takes a little longer than usual, since many hotels along the route are closed for the season at that time of year.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

It’s vital that you adhere to these limits. Heavier bags, or additional items might not be transferred, and you may be charged locally. Airlines may have different allowances, but our luggage handlers do not have the same capacity or equipment, and their health and safety is our priority.

Waymarking along the Via Francigena varies a fair bit from place to place - generally decent, but sparser through agricultural and lowland areas, and the style of markers changes between municipalities since not every region has invested equally in signage. Look out for brown metal plates showing two walkers and the route name, smaller pilgrim-and-arrow markers at road junctions, and red-and-white signs with a yellow pilgrim symbol - in the Aosta Valley, signs tend to be yellow with the route name and a number.

The Via Francigena isn't a single fixed route either - in places there are several regional variants. True to the idea that 'all roads lead to Rome', our route stays as close as possible to the original pilgrim path, though it occasionally deviates around busier roads or industrial areas.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Via Francigena runs from Switzerland down through Italy to Rome, and your nearest airport and route to the start depends on which stage, or stages, you're walking.

If you choose the Full Italian Via Francigena tour (Bourg St Pierre to Rome): The best airport for Bourg St Pierre is Geneva, served by many airlines from the UK and further afield. From Geneva Airport, take a direct train to Martigny, then a bus from the train station in Martigny to Bourg St Pierre, with schedules and fares at the Trenitalia website. For your return, it's best to fly out of Rome, which has two main airports, Fiumicino and Ciampino. For Fiumicino, take the Leonardo Express train from Rome Termini (30 minutes), or the slower but cheaper Sabina-Fiumicino line that stops at every station. For Ciampino, take the train from Rome Termini to Ciampino train station, then a bus on to the airport.

If you choose the Stage 1 tour (Bourg St Pierre to St Martin): Reach Bourg St Pierre via Geneva Airport, with a direct train to Martigny and a bus from Martigny station to Bourg St Pierre (Trenitalia for schedules and fares). For your return from Pont St Martin, take a train towards Turin or Milan. Turin Porta Nuova station is around 1 hour 15 minutes away, and Milan Central station around 2.5 hours with several changes, with an airport bus or train shuttle from either city on to Milan Malpensa or Turin airport.

If you choose the Final Stage tour (Montefiascone to Rome): Fly into Rome Fiumicino Airport, then take a train to Viterbo (via Roma Trastevere station) and on to Montefiascone. The station is 5km from the town centre, so you'll need a taxi, or you can take a bus from Viterbo into the centre of Montefiascone to avoid the taxi fare. You could also fly into Rome Ciampino, though it's served by fewer airlines (Trenitalia for schedules). For your return, it's best to fly out of Rome via Fiumicino (Leonardo Express train from Rome Termini, 30 minutes, or the cheaper Sabina-Fiumicino line) or Ciampino (train from Rome Termini to Ciampino station, then a bus to the airport).

If you choose the Stage 4 tour (Fidenza to Aulla): The best airports for Fidenza are Parma, Bologna or Milan Linate. From any of these, take a train to Fidenza, where your hosts will pick you up, as the first accommodation is outside the town (Trenitalia for schedules and fares). For your return from Aulla, the best airport is Genoa. Take a train to Pisa (via Pisa Centrale station), which takes between 1.5 and 2 hours, or for Genoa, a direct train from Aulla to Genoa train station followed by a 30-minute shuttle bus to Genoa Airport.

If you choose the Stage 5 tour (Aulla to San Miniato): The best airport for Aulla is Pisa, served by many airlines from the UK and further afield. From Pisa Airport, take the Pisa Mover into the city, then a regional train to Aulla (around 1-2 hours). You can also fly into Genoa, though you'll change trains more often (2-3 hours). Trenitalia has schedules and fares. San Miniato sits between Pisa and Florence, so both are good airports for your return, with Florence around 1-2 hours away by train.

If you choose the Stage 6 tour (San Miniato to Buonconvento): San Miniato has its own station on the Florence/Pisa line, so fly into Pisa and take a train (1-2 hours, Trenitalia for fares and schedules). For your return, trains run from Buonconvento to Pisa (around 2 hours 20 minutes, changing in Empoli and Pisa) for Pisa Airport, to Florence Airport (around 2 hours 30 minutes, with a couple of changes), or to Rome Airport (around 4 hours 15 minutes, with a few changes depending on the time of day).

If you choose the Stage 7 tour (San Quirico to Viterbo): Since Buonconvento sits roughly equidistant between Pisa/Florence and Rome, you can fly into either. From Rome Fiumicino, take a train (via central Rome) to Chiusi, then a taxi to Buonconvento (around €50), or fly into Pisa and take a train to Siena, then on to Buonconvento (Trenitalia for fares and schedules). For your return from Montefiascone, take a train to Viterbo and on to Rome, then fly home from Rome Fiumicino Airport.

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation

The Via Francigena is walked far less often than the Camino routes in Spain and Portugal, so it has a quieter, less touristy feel - though it also means services along the way aren't always as seamlessly set up for pilgrims, and you'll meet fewer fellow walkers making the same journey.

It's worth booking ahead where you can - the sections at the start and end of the trail are particularly popular, and early booking helps us secure the best accommodation for your tour.