Via Francigena: Stage 4: Fidenza to Aulla

Via Francigena Stage 4: Fidenza to Aulla

8 Days & 7 Nights 3.5 Read 4 reviews

Encountering the unusual and rare rock formations of the Salti del Diavolo
Walk in the foothills of the scenic Apennine Mountains
Paying a visit to the Museo delle Statue Stele which houses fascinating primitive sculptures
Absorbing the mesmerizing views of the Apennine Mountains when crossing the Cisa Pass
Sampling delicious and famous cured meats and cheeses of the Parma region

Walk through the Apennine Mountains and from the region of Emilia Romagna into northern Tuscany. Discover small altars, chapels, crosses, churches, and buildings that gave shelter to the thousands of pilgrims that walked along the Via Francigena in their quest to reach Rome. Beginning in the foothills of the Apennines and incorporating pretty villages and towns, you then cross the Cisa Pass, located at 1,040m before descending into northern Tuscany and to Montelungo, Pontremoli, and Aulla. There are captivating sights all along the trail, such as the primitive Stele sculptures, the St Annunziata Church and the Salti del Diavolo; unusual and rare rock formations in the Baganza Valley. Explore areas near Parma, famous for its cured meats and parmesan cheeses. Be sure to take advantage of these local culinary delights while you walk through these areas of Italy.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

This particular section is graded as moderate to strenuous. You will walk through the Apennine Mountains into Tuscany, crossing a high pass and along river valleys, through farming country and vineyards.

Tour Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent tour.

Activity:

Pilgrim Trail | You will follow a historic pilgrimage trail, in the footsteps of generations of travelers

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travelers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Spiritual Journeys
Personal Growth
Historical Journeys

Activity Level & Terrain

This walking holiday is graded moderate overall. The daily distances vary quite a lot between shorter and longer ones, so you must be capable of also walking 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.

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.

Navigation

You will be provided with detailed route notes and maps to help you find your way. The trail is also marked by the official red and white signs of the Via Francigena, which have a picture of a yellow pilgrim on them. Unlike the more well-established Caminos, the Via Francigena has seen a relatively recent resurgence in popularity, meaning that trail marking is intermittent. Not every region has invested in consistently waymarking the trail.

You will be able to follow the route in your Macs Adventure smartphone app and we're confident that using the two elements alongside each other should go a long way to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and problem-free trip.

Accommodations

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.

Included

Overnights in a variety of accommodations
Breakfasts included
Baggage Transfers
Detailed maps and routes notes and a comprehensive information pack
Private transfers where mentioned in the itinerary
Access to the GPS tracks using the Macs Adventure smartphone app
Emergency telephone assistance from our team in Italy and our UK office if required

Excluded

Travel to and from the start and finish points
Public transportation where mentioned in the itinerary
Lunches & dinners
Drinks & snacks
Any additional travel en route, should you wish to miss a day's walking
Personal equipment
Travel insurance
Mountain rescue / emergency assistance

Extras

Additional nights before, after or during the trip
Baggage Transfers
Half board supplement

When To Go

Getting to the Start

The best airports to fly into to reach Fidenza are Parma, Bologna or any of the Milan Airports (Milan Malpensa or Milan Linate). From these airports it is possible to take a train to Fidenza. As the first accommodation is outside Fidenza your hosts will pick you up from the train station. You will find information regarding train schedules and fares at the Trenitalia website.

Getting from the End

The best airports to fly out of after finishing your tour in Aulla are Pisa or Genoa. From Aulla take a train to Pisa (via Pisa Centrale Station). The journey takes between one and a half and two hours and you can find more information regarding train schedules and fares at the Trenitalia website. Alternatively if you fly from Genoa you can take a direct train from Aulla to Genoa Train Station and then from here take a thirty minute shuttle bus to Genoa Airport.

Luggage Transfer

Baggage transfers are not included as standard, however you can pay an additional fee for this service. If you choose to include baggage transfers we request that you have only one piece of luggage per person and it should weigh only 20kg.

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and trousers), sun hat and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Equipment

This depends on the time of year you are walking; if travelling in the spring or autumn it can be cool in the morning, but it soon heats up in the late morning and afternoon so make sure and bring some layers with you. During the summer months, the area can be prone to afternoon thunderstorms, so waterproofs are also essential in case of heavy showers. You will receive a full kit list as part of your trip documentation.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.

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