About this book
A guidebook to walking the 3200 km Via Francigena pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome. Part of a four-volume set, this volume covers the middle 726 km, from Lausanne, Switzerland, to Lucca, Italy. Suitable for most abilities – although the crossing of the Jura mountains calls for moderate fitness - this section can be walked in around a month, or there is the option to cycle some of the way. The route is presented in 32 stages, of between 13 and 34 km (8–21 miles).
- GPX files available to download
- 1:100,000 mapping plus larger-scale town maps for key locations
- Handy route summary tables and pilgrim lodging details help you plan your itinerary
- Comprehensive information about refreshments and facilities along the route
- Advice on planning and preparation
Contents
Route summary table
Map key
Overview profile Lausanne to Lucca
Foreword
Introduction: The Via Francigena from Lausanne to Lucca
A brief history of the Via Francigena
The modern Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome
Planning your walk
Where to begin and how to get there
When to walk
Cycling all or part of the route
Where to stay
What and where to eat
Should I make reservations ahead?
How much money should I budget?
How do I secure my credential?
Tips for making the most of your walk
Topography of the Via Francigena from Lausanne to Lucca
Understanding local cultures
Training for your walk
What and how to pack
Baggage transport and storage
Telephones
Health and well-being
How to use this guide
Route descriptions
GPX tracks and accommodation downloads
Section 1: The Vaud and Valais
Stage 1 Lausanne to Vevey
Stage 2 Vevey to Aigle
Stage 3 Aigle to Saint-Maurice
Stage 4 Saint-Maurice to Martigny
Stage 5 Martigny to Orsières
Stage 6 Orsières to Bourg-Saint-Pierre
Stage 7 Bourg-Saint-Pierre to Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard
Section 2: Aosta Valley
Stage 8 Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard to Aosta
Stage 9 Aosta to Châtillon
Stage 10 Châtillon to Verrès
Stage 11 Verrès to Pont-Saint-Martin
Section 3: Piemonte
Stage 12 Pont-Saint-Martin to Ivrea
Stage 13 Ivrea to Viverone
Stage 14 Viverone to Santhià
Stage 15 Santhià to Vercelli
Variant Val di Susa to Vercelli
Section 4: Lombardia
Stage 16 Vercelli to Robbio
Stage 17 Robbio to Mortara
Stage 18 Mortara to Garlasco
Stage 19 Garlasco to Pavia
Stage 20 Pavia to Santa Cristina e Bissone
Stage 21 Santa Cristina e Bissone to Orio Litta
Stage 22 Orio Litta to Piacenza
Section 5: Emilia-Romagna
Stage 23 Piacenza to Fiorenzuola d’Arda
Stage 24 Fiorenzuola d’Arda to Fidenza
Stage 25 Fidenza to Fornovo di Taro
Stage 26 Fornovo di Taro to Berceto
Stage 27 Berceto to Pontremoli
Section 6: Liguria and Tuscany
Stage 28 Pontremoli to Aulla
Stage 29 Aulla to Sarzana
Stage 30 Sarzana to Massa
Stage 31 Massa to Camaiore
Stage 32 Camaiore to Lucca
Appendix A Stage planning table
Appendix B Useful contacts
Appendix C Bibliography
Appendix D Sigeric’s journey: then and now
A Via Francigena guide in three parts
Map of the Via Francigena Canterbury to Rome
Profile of the Via Francigena Canterbury to Rome
Customer Reviews
Biography
Sanford 'Sandy' Brown is a community activist, long-distance walker and ordained minister from Seattle, Washington. Inspired by The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho, he trekked the Camino de Santiago in 2008 and, since then, has walked or biked over 18,000 km on pilgrim trails in Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy and the United States. He leads group pilgrimage treks through his travel company. Sandy earned his undergraduate degree in medieval history at the University of Washington in Seattle, his MDiv at Garrett Theological Seminary, which honoured him in 2006 as a Distinguished Alumnus, and in 1997 earned a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary in gender, sexuality and spirituality. In 2023, the European Association of Via Francigena Ways bestowed its Honor Award on Sandy for his contributions to the development of the route. He has two grown sons and lives with his wife, Theresa Elliott, in Lucca, Italy.
