Overview
Via Francigena from Fidenza to Pontremoli is a journey through the Apennines, over the ancient Colle di Monte Bardone, today known as the Cisa Pass. You will start from the ancient cathedral of San Donnino in Fidenza, with its cycle of bas-reliefs that inspired the creators of the Via Francigena logo, before proceeding through the hills of Parma to the Tuscan mountains. The climb towards the pass will be long and sometimes demanding, but you will enjoy amazing views over the Lombardy Plain first, and then the Lunigiana. The descent towards Pontremoli along the ancient path surrounded by nature, with the spectacular Groppodalosio Bridge, will make you feel like a genuine ancient pilgrim. If you want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Lunigiana, we recommend extending your journey as far as Aulla, adding two more days to your walk.
- The Cathedral of Fidenza with its bas-reliefs
- The medieval one-arched bridge of Groppodalosio
- Pontremoli museum with its Stele Statues
- Mount Valdoria – the border between Emilia Romagna and Tuscany
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Fidenza
The journey starts in Fidenza, a town of art and culture. After admiring the pilgrims whose tracks you will follow in the bas-reliefs of the Duomo, you can walk along the paved streets of the old town centre, to celebrate the beginning of your trip with an aperitif in Piazza del Municipio.
- Accommodation: Hotel Astoria or similar in Fidenza
Day 2: Fidenza to Medesano/Sant’Andrea Bagni | 22km
Begin your walk with a leg across the hills, which show monuments of great historical importance, such as the Pieve di Cabriolo, dedicated to the Archbishop of Canterbury Becket, where you can discover its mysterious history linked to the knights of the Templar. Walk alongside the ruins of Costamezzana castle, dominated by its circular tower, which still climbs among the trees, and enjoy climbing up and down the ridges of the hills; at the end of the walk, a short transfer takes you to the village of Sant’Andrea Bagni, where you spend the night. Please call the accommodation in Sant’Andrea one hour before your arrival to pick you up.
- Walking for the day: 22km, 6h
- Accommodation: Hotel Salus or similar in Sant’Andrea Bagni
Day 3: Medesano to Cassio | 21km
The day starts with a short transfer from your accommodation in Sant’Andrea Bagni to Medesano. Continuing along the Parma hills, you cross the river Taro to arrive in Fornovo. We recommend a visit to the cathedral to admire the alarming bas-reliefs of its facade. Along your way you will come to the villages of Terenzo, where you will be able to admire ancient churches. You then continue to Bardone and Cassio, from where a private transfer will take you to your accommodation for the night in Berceto.
It is possible to shorten the walk if you ask the driver to drop you off in Fornovo.
- Walking for the day: 21km, 7h
- Accommodation: B&B La Casa dei Nonni or similar in Berceto
Day 4: Cassio to Berceto | 10km
Today, a short transfer will take you back to Cassio, where you will follow the stone path already travelled along by generations of pilgrims. Then walk along asphalted, secondary road (or a transfer, not included) which brings you to Berceto, a little stone jewel where you can restore yourselves with local mushrooms and pattona, a typical cake made from chestnut flour.
- Walking for the day: 10km, 7h
- Accommodation: B&B La Casa dei Nonni or similar in Berceto
Day 5: Berceto to Previdè/Pontremoli | 18km
A climb awaits you towards the Cisa Pass, first along mule tracks and country roads and then over earth tracks and asphalted roads. The last section of today’s route leads you among the scenic views over the Lunigiana to Mount Valdoria, a panoramic point of great beauty, before climbing up again towards the Pass and then down to Previdè, a beautiful hamlet surrounded by nature. A short transfer takes you to your accommodation in Pontremoli.
- Walking for the day: 18km, 5h
- Accommodation: B&B Chiosi or similar in Pontremoli
Day 6: Previdè to Pontremoli | 10km
A transfer takes you back to Previdè, from where you walk along long sections of a path surrounded by nature, through characteristic villages such as Groppadalosio, with its ancient medieval bridge, and Casalina, which charms with its little stone houses and the characteristic little dome of its bell tower. Finally, you descend to Pontremoli, the town of bridges and stele statues, where you can enjoy a relaxing evening walk among the alleyways of the illuminated old town centre.
- Walking for the day: 10km, 3h
- Accommodation: B&B Chiosi or similar in Pontremoli
Day 7: Departure
Departure on your own or extra nights in Pontremoli upon request.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in selected 3-star hotels and B&Bs. All rooms have en-suite facilities. All places have been carefully hand-picked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Astoria (Fidenza)
- Hotel Salus (Sant’Andrea Bagni)
- B&B La Casa dei Nonni (Berceto)
- B&B Chiosi (Pontremoli)
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included every day. Packed lunches can be pre-ordered at the accommodations or you can buy products from local shops. For dinner, you will usually have plenty of options in the villages you are staying in.
Difficulty and terrain
The route is relatively easy and accessible due to low elevation gains. A good level of fitness is required to enjoy the walks to the maximum (read more about difficulty grades). The itinerary is mostly on paths and gravel roads, even if you will find some sections on asphalted roads. Some walks are quite long and demanding but can be optionally shortened using local transport or private transfers. The route is well marked by the official signs of the Via Francigena – white-red markings and a yellow sign with the Pilgrim symbol on it. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
You can start your holiday every day between the beginning of March and the end of October. Spring and autumn months are a preferred travel period if you want to avoid the summer heat of July and August when temperatures hit 30C and more. In September – October, you will enjoy pleasant temperatures.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival airports for this holiday are Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Bologna and Bergamo. Other Italian airports are also well connected to the area.
By train or bus
- If you are able to travel to Italy without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail with train stations in Fidenza and Pontremoli. For more details, see the national rail operator Trenitalia and and the independent train company Italo.
- Arrival in Fidenza: From any airport, reach the closest railway station, from where you can get to Fidenza by train. Trains are direct from Milan and Bologna, whereas you need to change if travelling from Verona and Bergamo.
- Departure from Pontremoli: You can reach Bergamo, Milan, Bologna and Verona by train.
- Train timetables are available on www.trenitalia.com
Inclusions
Included
- 6 nights in selected 3-star hotels and B&Bs, private en-suite rooms
- 6 breakfasts
- Private transfer from Medesano to Sant’Andrea Bagni on Day 2
- Private transfers to Medesano and to Berceto on Day 3
- Private transfer to Cassio on Day 4
- Private transfers to Pontremoli on Day 5 and from Pontremoli on Day 6
- Luggage transfers on all walking days (one piece per person, up to 15kg; each additional paid should be paid)
- APP for your smartphone with the route descriptions to follow, the maps, the practical organisation day-by-day and the QR code. No printed documents are mailed or provided locally, apart from the Pilgrim’s Passport and the Via Francigena guidebook
- 24/7 phone support by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Local tourist tax, local transport and entry fees (payable on the spot)
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘Included’ in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- Supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room / single use of a double room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights
