Pilegrimsvandring

An indispensable guidebook to walking the Via Francigena between Lausanne and Lucca. This is the middle section of the pilgrim route connecting Canterbury to the Vatican City in Rome, and passes through some of the Via Francigena's most beautiful and dramatic scenery. Starting at Lake Geneva (Lac Leman) in Switzerland, the 725km route crosses the Alps into Italy at historic Great Saint Bernard Pass, descends through the Aosta Valley to the Po Valley, then climbs again to cross the Cisa Pass into Tuscany.

The route is described in 32 day stages averaging around 23km a day, but can easily be customised to other itineraries. It is suitable for any averagely fit walker, although there are a few steep mountainous stages. Relevant variants are described, including options to make use of boat, bus and train connections, and it is possible to cycle all or part of the Italian portion of the route.

In this guidebook, full stage directions are accompanied by maps showing the route line and the facilities available at different locations. Accommodation listings give invaluable information on low-cost pilgrim hostels and where to stay. There are useful city maps for Lausanne, Aosta, Ivrea, Pavia, Piacenza and Lucca, and a stage planning table lists intermediate distances between accommodation providers, so you can customise your own walking schedule.

• Forfatter: Sandy Brown
• Publisert: Juni 2021
• Utgave: 1. utgave
• Antall sider: 248
• Innbinding: Heftet
• Språk: Engelsk
• ISBN: 9781786310866

The 2000km Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome is one of the world's great pilgrim routes, with a history spanning well over a millennium. This guide describes the first section, from Canterbury to Lausanne on the shores of Lake Geneva, a journey of 1090km passing through England, France and Switzerland. The route is suitable for walkers of all levels of ability, and the section from Canterbury to Besançon is also suitable for cyclists (mountain or hybrid/gravel bike). There are various options for accommodation, ranging from hotels and B&Bs to camping (although it is not essential to carry a tent), and the French section offers a unique opportunity to lodge with host families in welcoming chambres d'hôtes.

The guide has all the information you need to plan and prepare for a journey on the Via Francigena. You'll find a wealth of detail about facilities on route and accommodation, as well as tips on training, kit, travel and pilgrim credentials. The route is presented in 52 stages of 11 to 39.5km, although the clear presentation of facilities and intermediary distances makes it easy to customise your own itinerary. There are also notes on interesting features passed and local points of interest.

Beginning in historic Canterbury, England, with a gentle walk to the White Cliffs of Dover, the Via Francigena crosses the English Channel before turning inland to the rolling French countryside, site of WWI battlefields and charming French villages and towns. After visiting two of France's most beautiful medieval cathedrals, it passes through forests to the hilltop fortress of Langres. Besançon offers al-fresco dining in the city's historic plazas before the route continues, following the Loue River to its mountainous source. The unforgettable Gorge de l'Orbe of the Jura Mountains in Switzerland leads to the section's finish-point on the shores of Lake Geneva in beautiful, cosmopolitan Lausanne. Celebrating the diversity of the countries through which it passes and offering an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in Europe's beautiful landscapes and experience their culture, this is truly an international journey that will linger long in memory.

• Forfatter: Sandy Brown
• Publisert: Februar 2023
• Utgave: 2. utgave
• Antall sider: 304
• Innbinding: Heftet
• Språk: Engelsk
• ISBN: 9781852848842