In 2024 we spent two months trekking the last 700 miles of the Via Francigena. We began walking on the pilgrimage trail by climbing over the Great St. Bernard Pass on the border of Switzerland and Italy. While in Italy we trekked through the Aosta Valley, into the Po Valley, and over the Apennine Mountains. As we neared St Peter’s Basilica, we entered the famous Tuscany region, spending nights in medieval hill towns.
It is hard to put into words everything we experienced while trekking the Via Francigena. We woke up every morning eager to begin another day of hiking. Each stage provided us with an abundance of historic sites and a variety of scenery as we walked. And the warm weather in the Po Valley and heavy rains in the Apennine Mountains kept us on our toes.
Our video provides a seven minute overview of our 700-mile hiking journey in Switzerland and Italy. Take a look below:
My husband and I are just beginning to research the Via Francigena, and we are finding your videos and website hugely helpful! One question: When did you begin your hike in Switzerland? We are toying with leaving late August.
Thanks!
Hi Jenifer – Glad to know that you are finding our content useful – thanks! We began hiking on August 10 and went over the pass on August 15. The weather was not an issue, except it got a little hot on some of the afternoons. Hope this helps!