Full Italian Via Francigena Route: Bourg St Pierre-Rome
About this trip.
Bourg St Pierre sits on the Swiss side of the Great St Bernard Pass, at the last substantial village before the climb into Italy. From here to St Peter's in Rome is roughly 1,000 kilometres on foot, spread across 50 days of walking — the full Italian section of the Via Francigena, the medieval pilgrim route from Canterbury first catalogued by Archbishop Sigeric in 990 AD.
What the Via Francigena actually is
Less famous than the Camino, and with a fraction of the crowds. The Francigena threads south through a changing Italy: Alpine pastures drop into the Aosta Valley, then the flat Po plain near Pavia and Piacenza, then over the Apennines into Tuscany, and finally through Lazio's volcanic hills to Rome. Walking the full Italian stage in one continuous effort is the most ambitious form of the trip. It is not rare any more — the route has been waymarked and infrastructure has caught up — but fifty consecutive days on foot is still a serious commitment that most people break up over several years.
Walking from Valais to Rome
The character of the walk shifts about every ten days. The first stretch is high and quiet: the pass itself, then down through Aosta's fortified towns and Roman ruins into the vineyards of the valley floor. The Po Valley that follows is the least romantic part — agricultural, sometimes industrial, flat, with long stretches on minor roads and dykes. Past Piacenza the path climbs again into the Apennine foothills, and by Lucca it has settled into the Tuscany most walkers come for: San Gimignano, Siena, the slow descent into volcanic Lazio. The final days pass through the Via Cassia landscape — Bolsena, Montefiascone, Viterbo, Sutri — before the long approach into Rome along the Via Trionfale. Daily distances run 20 to 25 kilometres on average, with some stages noticeably longer.
Bookings and logistics
The trip runs 50 days and 49 nights and is self-guided: accommodation is booked along the route, luggage is moved between stops, and walkers follow route notes and GPS tracks rather than a guide. Prices start at £5,625 per person. That is the headline figure — always check inclusions carefully with Macs Adventure, since international travel, most meals and rest-day accommodation typically sit outside the package.
This is a specialist trip. It suits experienced walkers who have already done multi-week long-distance routes, or pilgrims approaching Rome in the traditional way with time and legs to spare. Anyone weighing it up should be comfortable with repeated long days, weather that swings from Alpine snow in early season to Mediterranean heat by the time you reach Lazio, and the quieter sections where the waymarking is sparse and the conversation is mostly with yourself. For the right walker, doing it in one go — rather than in chapters — is the point.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for walking holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓Hotel accommodation, double or twin en-suite rooms
- ✓Daily breakfast at each hotel
- ✓Luggage transfer between hotels on every walking day
- ✓Detailed route notes with maps and GPX files
- ✓24/7 support line in English for the duration of the trip
Typically not included
- ×Flights to and from the country of travel
- ×Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ×Lunches — typically a village picnic or café stop
- ×Some evening meals — depends on the specific itinerary
- ×Alcohol beyond any wine included with set dinners
- ×Optional room or transfer upgrades
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.
Q7Can I shorten or extend it?
Usually yes. Many operators offer shorter versions of a route as a standalone, and most will add extra nights at the start or end at their own rates. Ask when you enquire — they'll tailor it before booking.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Three walking holidays, side-by-side.
Other walking holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
