Via Francigena Stage 5: Aulla to San Miniato

This particular section is graded as moderate. You will walk in Tuscany through the foothills of the Apenines and the Apuane Alps and the lovely Renaissance town of Lucca.

Pilgrimages | For those looking to follow a path of self-discovery. Our Pilgrimage and Camino routes take you on a journey through diverse landscapes and local flavours, while meeting like-minded adventurers along the way.

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

The first few days of the walk is the trickiest due to the mountainous terrain. The different stages of this tour are rated between 'moderate' and 'moderate to strenuous'. Therefore overall, we have rated this as 'moderate to strenuous' with daily distances between 10 and 30 kms and the average being around 21 kms per day. It is possible to arrange for additional nights and rest days along the way. There are also options to extend some of the walks to stay on the true Via Francigena path and add additional days to the itinerary as part of this. If this is something you would like to do, then please speak to us when booking. The daily distances vary quite a lot between shorter and longer walks, so you must be capable of managing the longer distances. You need to be in good physical shape to complete the Full Via Francigena as there are also some elevation gains and losses along the way, and a substantial about of mileage will be covered. 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 why we give other suggestions (especially near Rome). Please take care when walking along roads and always be mindful of other road users. 

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 trip.

During your trip you will stay in a variety of accommodations. The properties range from private rooms in pilgrims' hostels to 2, 3 and 4* hotels as well as B&B's and guesthouses. At times you will be staying in remote towns and villages, therefore the accommodations in these places are the best that these particular areas have to offer. If you require single rooms for your party we would be happy to accommodate you. Solo walkers are also welcomed.

Important: Due to the remote location of some of the smaller towns and villages along the way it is possible that some of your overnight hotels will be a few kilometres from the route or in a nearby town or village. If this is the case, you will always receive directions to and from the trail in your route notes. Please be aware that this may result in slightly longer or shorter walking days.

Meals

Daily breakfasts are included. Breakfasts are usually continental or Italian-style with a choice of bread, croissants, meats, and cheeses. Sometimes it is possible to order packed lunches at your hotel or B&B the evening before or you can buy lunch in groceries, cafes, and restaurants en route. You can opt to include dinners as well if you wish.

The trail in the most part is well marked but in some of the agricultural areas, such as the cultivated lowlands, this does become sparser. Along the length of the route, it also travels through several different municipalities and the style of the markers can vary between them and not every region has invested in consistently waymarking the trail.

The type of markers includes brown metal plates with two walkers and the route name on them or smaller ones showing a pilgrim and an arrow pointing the right way at road junctions. Red and white signs with a yellow pilgrim on them are also common. There are also signs with little yellow pilgrims on them and a white arrow which points towards Rome (those that are the same but with a yellow arrow lead to Santiago). In the Valle d’Aosta the signs tend to be yellow with Via Francigena written on them along with a route number.

Even if the signs can be lacking or confusing at times, navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost.

This trip is best enjoyed from mid-June onwards as the first section crosses the Alps and snow can still be on the ground up until July. Summer is a wonderful time to do the trip but it will be hot in August. Autumn is a lovely time of year as the colours start to change and the heat of the summer has subsided. This trip is available from mid-June to mid-September.

The best airport to fly into in order to reach Aulla is Pisa airport. This airport is served by many airlines from the UK and from further afield. From Pisa Airport take the Pisa Mover into the City and a regional train to Aulla (approx. travelliung time 1-2 hours). You can also fly into Genoa airport, but have to change trains more often (travelling times 2-3 hours). You will find information regarding train schedules and fares at the Trenitalia website.

San Miniato is right inbetween the cities of Pisa and Florence, so these are the best airports to fly into, Pisa airport and Florence airport (approx. travelling time by train is 1-2 hours). The airports are served by many airlines from the UK and from further afield. You will find information regarding train schedules and fares at the Trenitalia website.

Enjoy the ease of walking with a light backpack and having your main luggage moved for you each day (included). Your bags will be collected from your accommodation and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.