700 Miles of the Via Francigena Summary Video
We spent two months in 2024 trekking 700 miles of the Via Francigena. Our video provides an overview of our 52-stage hiking journey in Switzerland and Italy.
All Roads Lead to Rome: Completing 700 Miles on the Via Francigena
During the Roman Empire a vast network of routes to Rome were built. These roads totaled more than 250,000 miles and were said to be an origin of the phrase, “All Roads Lead to Rome.” After over 600 miles of trekking, we had six stages left until our own hiking “road” led us to Rome.
From Tuscany’s Hill Towns to Lazio’s Volcanic Lakes: the Via Francigena from Siena to Montefiascone
Our hiking through the heart of the Tuscany region was a highlight of the entire Via Francigena trek for us. But we still had another UNESCO World Heritage Site and several more hill towns to explore before arriving at Europe’s largest volcanic lake in the Lazio region.
Under the Tuscan Rain and Sun: the Via Francigena from Lucca to Siena
The Tuscany region is one of the most famous places in Italy. Upon reaching the historic city of Lucca and taking a rest day, we set off to trek into the heart of Tuscany, with a series of charming and iconic hill towns awaiting us at the end of each of our stages.
Trekking the Road Less Traveled: the Via Francigena through the Apennine Mountains to Lucca
The Apennine Mountains extend about 750 miles along the length of Italy. As we hiked in the rain and fog, we needed to continually consider whether we could trek on the mountain trails, skip ahead some stages, or take “the road less traveled” to make our way to Rome.
A Fond Farewell to the Balkans: Completing Our Eastern European Break
When we planned our Via Francigena hiking break, we hoped to use it as a time to rest and recover. While we relaxed, we were fascinated by the history and culture of each place, as well as the natural beauty that we saw. But after three weeks of travel, it was time to bid a fond farewell to the Balkans.
A Balkans Journey by Ferry, Bus, and Train: Beginning Our Eastern European Break
Throughout history, the Balkans have been at a crossroads of cultures, encompassing a mixture of ethnic groups, as well as the religions of Islam, Orthodox Christianity, and Catholic Christianity. To journey through the Balkans, we booked a series of buses and trains to take us from Albania to Croatia over three weeks.
Hitting the Halfway Mark: the Via Francigena from the Po River to the Apennine Mountain Foothills
After six stages and 93.6 miles of trekking to the Po River, we only had 72.4 miles to go before reaching the Apennine Mountains. Not only would we hit the halfway mark of our 700-mile trek at the mountain foothills, but we would also arrive at our second trail break.
Take the Long Way (to Rome): the Via Francigena through the Po Valley to the Po River
While trekking in the rural Po Valley we would experience some of the hottest temperatures of our entire 700-mile trek. Some hikers skip these stages, either because of the combination of heat and humidity or because hiking through endless farmland is “too boring.” But we decided to “take the long way to Rome” and trek this section anyway.
From the Mountains to the Flatlands: the Via Francigena from the Great St Bernard Pass to the Po Valley
One of the advantages of seeing the world by foot is experiencing the changes in scenery as you hike. After crossing the Great St. Bernard Pass from Switzerland to Italy, we trekked through another great scenery change from the high mountains of the Alps to the flatlands of the fertile Po Valley.
A Swiss Alp High: Beginning the Via Francigena
In 2018, we completed four treks in Europe, with our final hike taking us across the country of Switzerland. Almost exactly six years later, we returned to Montreux to begin another journey: a 700-mile trek on the Via Francigena to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, adjacent to Rome, Italy.
Opening our Eyes to Discovering Southeast England: Completing the Pilgrims’ Way
Whenever we prepare to travel, we research the cultural and natural significance of the locations that we plan to visit, in order to better appreciate the things we will see. However, we have also learned to open our eyes to new discoveries that may unfold around us. This is especially true when we are trekking at a slower pace.