Via Francigena and Pilgrims Way Trails
Between 1387 and 1400 Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales. The Pilgrims’ Way route traces the path that pilgrims, such as Chaucer’s fictional characters, historically took toward the Canterbury Cathedral to view the shrine of St. Thomas Becket. We crafted a 100-mile route from London, including a spur to the historic town of Rochester.
During the past few years our travels have evolved into alternating between wilderness backpacking treks and long distance hikes between villages and towns. While they may seem like totally different trips, they require similar planning and preparation.
We are always on the lookout for unique and lesser-known European trekking adventures. This year we plan to trek the historic Via Francigena route in England, Switzerland, and Italy, totaling 800 miles. The trail roughly corresponds to the route of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sigeric the Serious, who walked to St. Peter’s Basilica around 990 AD and kept a journal of his travels.
