A cycling pilgrimage — history and nature on Italy’s Via Francigena

The legendary itinerary of the Via Francigena opens with a welcome stop that offers pure enjoyment: a first day literally downhill, interrupted by delightful typical Valle d'Aosta villages where you will find numerous refreshment points and fountains with fresh spring water.



Leaving the homeland of the… read more

This second stage is also full of refreshment points (Chambave, Saint Vincent, Montjovet) and fountains to fill the water bottles. Going down the Aosta Valley, endless vineyards and medieval castles like those of Quart, Nus, Cly and Fenis will parade before your eyes.



Here the route faces east, so remember… read more

The third stage of your “cycle pilgrimage” is a succession of magnificent landscapes and elements of historical and cultural interest.



You will have the opportunity to admire the enchanting village of Bard, dominated by the fort of the same name, which houses the Museum of the Alps.



You will cross two… read more

During this stage your cycling adventure will be a journey through time: at the start the medieval castle of Roppolo, built more than a thousand years ago and the scene of sieges and battles throughout history, offers a spectacular view of the Serra d'Ivrea, the Viverone Lake and the most beautiful mountains… read more

The poplar groves and rice fields along the Sesia river, a left tributary of the Po, characterize the first section of this stage.

Drive along the provincial roads with little traffic between Palestro, Robbio and the flat countryside of Lomellina, until you take the dirt roads and grassy tratturi near… read more

The sixth stage opens with a beautiful flat stretch that, between typical farmhouses in the Pavia area, irrigation canals and long rows of trees, leads to Tromello. The small town in central Lomellina, which interrupts the countryside and offers refreshment to travelers, had already been included in… read more

Do you like river landscapes? You will love the territories crossed by the seventh stage! The Basso Pavese and its fluvial terraces bordered by escarpments on the Ticino river are enchanting, as are those on the left bank of the Po, especially at sunset. The majestic Belgiumioso castle and the religious… read more

Waking up in little Orio Litta is a moment of peace, just what you need to start a new day of travel! After a few kilometers you will meet the ford of Sigeric - also called “Transitum Padi”. Those who travel on foot can here embark in the legendary river taxi of Mr. Danilo Parisi to reach the Emilian… read more

To break the ride during the last stretch on the plain, you can stop and visit two magnificent religious buildings. The first is the Cistercian abbey of Chiaravalle della Colomba, famous for the Infiorata del Corpus Domini - a wonderful flowery carpet along the central nave of the basilica set up between… read more

The tenth stage includes 1000 meters of altitude difference spread over a distance of 35 kilometers. You will see, the slopes are gentle, the landscape is beautiful, the road bottom is excellent, it will be a beautiful ride. Shortly after Fornovo you will see Mount Prinzera on your right (736 m a.s.l… read more

Here is the eleventh stage of your journey: you are almost halfway through! Yesterday you have already gained altitude. Leaving Berceto, only 200 meters in altitude remain to be overcome to cross the Apennines on the Cisa Pass (1041 m a.s.l.) and enter Tuscany, the fourth region you will cross.



Descend… read more

After about five kilometers the climb begins which in 500 meters of altitude reaches Ponzanello, bypassing Monte Grosso. If you don't feel like tackling this stretch, you can choose to load your bicycle on a train to Sarzana, a town at the intersection of the Via Aurelia and the Via Emilia, of which… read more

This stage develops entirely in the Tuscan territory. Say hello to the Versilia sea and move inland, where you will find the first of today's three climbs at Montignoso. There is a difference in height of 200 meters to overcome to reach the castle of Aghinolfi, but you will immediately forget the effort… read more

After the last few days of pedaling marked by a few climbs, today's stage is almost entirely flat until a few kilometers from its conclusion, in the small town of San Miniato. Perfect for loosening your legs!



About twenty kilometers after greeting the walls of Lucca, the town of Altopascio appears, with… read more

Stage 15 opens with an ups and downs in Val d’Elsa. Looking around, while enjoying white roads with excellent ground, you will see Romanesque-style religious architecture, medieval castles, ancient hostels that offer hospitality to pilgrims.

After a short descent you find yourself pedaling flat for about… read more

Having said goodbye to San Gimignano, after a stretch of ups and downs, you arrive in Poggibonsi. From here begins the climb that takes you to Colle di Val d’Elsa, Gracciano d’Elsa and Strove, with its beautiful Romanesque church. Pass through the splendid complex of Abbadia a Isola before reaching Monteriggioni… read more

The seventeenth stage is 55 kilometers long and involves 950 meters of elevation gain. As for the itineraries described above, these are mostly ups and downs than long climbs, but consider that the dirt road could make them quite challenging.

Leave behind the unforgettable squares of Siena on the dirt… read more

The stage that takes you from San Quirico d’Orcia to Radicofani includes a positive difference in height of 740 meters, concentrated in the last 15 kilometers.

The ride opens with the wonderful landscapes of the Val d’Orcia and the tiny village of Vignoni Alto, an aggregate of buildings dating back to… read more

The nineteenth stage, after a long initial descent, consists of a series of ups and downs, for a total of 600 meters of positive difference in height spread over 55 kilometers.

Starting from Radicofani, descend towards the Val di Paglia, enjoying the view over wonderful hilly landscapes and Mount Amiata… read more

The twentieth stage includes less altitude difference (470 meters concentrated at the beginning of the day) and a limited distance (33 km) compared to the previous ones.

Via Cassia is still the path to follow to get away from Bolsena, along the splendid stretch of water on its right bank. Just before… read more