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Via Francigena - Section 6 Cycling
From Piacenza to Aulla - ""
Walking: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - Guided: 16 - Cycling: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8
Starting in Garlasco and finishing in the city of Parma, along part of the River Po, in a very rich region of northern Italy. You will cross pass many historic monuments, and buildings, such as abbeys, monasteries, churches as you make your way in Emilia-Romagna. The walking on this section is on relatively flat trails and along river valleys. The towns you will pass through are full of fabulous artistic, historical and cultural sights. It is also an area of great gastronomy, Parma, close to your way, being world famous for its cured ham and parmesan cheese. On the second part of the section, you will cross the Apennine Mountains from Emilia-Romagna into Tuscany and on towards the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. You will pass through beautiful woodlands and along pristine streams, with many wonderful old abbeys, churches and bridges along the way, until you final stage in Aulla.
Your way on the Via Francigena is made easy by sign posting. Also, in our holiday pack is included detailed walking notes and maps making navigation even easier.
Following the footsteps of centuries of pilgrim, you will stay in 1,2,3 star hotel, and farmstay accommodation all en-suite. We transfer your luggage from hotel to hotel so you can travel comfortably with just a small backpack.
How to get there? Click here
Day by Day & Hotels
Hotels & country cottages have been carefully selected for their location, comfort, character, food, and friendliness of the staff. They are subject to availability and if the hotel described is not available, we will provide you with one of the same standard of comfort & price. Please click on hotel information below.
There are 6 days
Day 1: Piacenza
You will be booked in an en-suite hotel room in the centre of the town. Piacenza is a beau ... .. read more >
Meals: N/A Luggage Transfer: No
You will be booked in an en-suite hotel room in the centre of the town. Piacenza is a beautiful town where they are plenty of artistic, cultural and historical sights to see here.
Day 2: Piacenza to Fidenza
54km, +513 m / -501 m: After leaving Piacenza, you will follow a flat trail through the Em ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Luggage Transfer: Yes
54km, +513 m / -501 m: After leaving Piacenza, you will follow a flat trail through the Emilia-Romagna countryside. You will pass through the valley of the river Arda. This particular area has some of the oldest human settlements in Italy. The town has long been a feature of the Via Francigena, which is evident from the fact that there is a number of pilgrims hospitals in the area. When you finally arrive in Fidenza, you are only 25km from the city of Parma. Why don't you consider having a break there? Ask us for extra night in this fantastic city.
Day 3: Fidenza to Fornovo
34km, +613 m / -549 m: After leaving Fidenza, the well-marked route starts to climb into t ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Luggage Transfer: Yes
34km, +613 m / -549 m: After leaving Fidenza, the well-marked route starts to climb into the rolling hills of the Appenines, mainly on farmtracks. You will cyclon along the bank of the river Taro to Fornovo. The town has always been an important crossroads as this is where the Via Francigena and a bridge over the Taro meet each other.
Day 4: Fornovo to Berceto
30km, +1999 m / -1321 m: From Fornovo the Via Francigena moves away from the Taro river an ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Luggage Transfer: Yes
30km, +1999 m / -1321 m: From Fornovo the Via Francigena moves away from the Taro river and begins to climb gradually into the Apennine Mountains. The trail passes through woodlands and agricultural fields. Along the way you will see the unusual rock formations of the area known as "I Salti del Diavolo". From the village of Bardone the trail begins to climb more steeply up to the second highest point of the day at about 930m. Then, after a a downward slope through woodlands and open ground, there is another climb up to 960m. You will continue on a twisting trail which goes up and down until you reach the village of Berceto.
Day 5: Berce to Aulla
52km, 1767 m / -2536 m: Today will see you travel deeper into the Apennines with the trai ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast Luggage Transfer: Yes
52km, 1767 m / -2536 m: Today will see you travel deeper into the Apennines with the trail becoming more enclosed in woodlands. You will cross the Cisa Pass which sits at just over 1,000 metres. The pass marks the transition from the region of Emilia-Romagna into Tuscany. The abbey at Montelungo, on your way, dates from the 8th century. After then, you will descend gradually to the town of Pontremoli. There, you will follow a gentle downward sloping trail which traces the valley of the river Magra. You will pass through the villages of Villafranca in Lunigiana and Terrarossa, where you will see one of the many castles of the Malaspina family of nobles. Before reaching Aulla you will pass the abbey of St. Caprasio which dates from the 9th century.
Day 6: Aulla
This is the end of your holidaym after your breakfast. .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast Luggage Transfer: Yes
This is the end of your holidaym after your breakfast.
Prices & Booking
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There is no intermediaries when booking with us, so feel free to contact us for advice, customisation or if you wish to combine several sections together. If you just wish to make a quick payment, submit your credit card and reference on our booking page. |
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Classic |
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Note:
Options: We can upgrade your holiday in 4, 5* and Paradors. We can also offer extra nights and airport transfers. Ask us!
Families: We are now offering 40% off prices for children aged between 3-9 years old, and 20% off prices for children aged between 10-17 years old. Children under 3 come free.
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Price € PPS |
Single Room |
Extra Nights |
Solo departure |
Airport Transfer |
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High Season |
629 |
766 |
Single: 95 |
416 |
ask us |
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Mid Season |
609 |
729 |
Single: 90 |
416 |
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Low Season |
549 |
653 |
Single: 90 |
416 |
PPS: Per person sharing
Currency Converter by OANDA |
General details
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5 What is this?
Distance: 160km
Duration: 5 nights
Activity: 
Cycling
Comfort: In Style
Meals: Half Board
Available: All year round
Price: From €549
10 reasons to book with us
Smartphones & Tablets
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(1,2) Leisurely (3,4) Stimulating (5) A Challenge
Our holidays are graded by 3 categories of difficulty: Leisurely, Stimulating and A Challenge. This grading system will allow you to select the ideal holiday for yourself or your group. We aim to offer you the best experiences and unforgettable memories on a holiday where your desire for a challenge, comfort and safety are our priority. As the abilities of everybody are different, it’s important that you decide on a holiday which best suits your own needs and capabilities. You should take some time to look over our grading system so you can decide which holiday is best for you!
How do we grade?
When grading our holidays we take 3 main factors into consideration: Distance, Gradient and Trail Type (i.e. mountain track, forest road, surfaced road, etc.)
Our Easy walking and cycling holidays are best for families with young children. With older children, experience and fitness level should be considered when deciding on a holiday.
Leisurely(1,2)
• Time: Under 5 hours per day on average.
• Gradient: Gentle, no steep climbs
• Trail Type: Walking path, easily accessible
• Suitable for: Everybody. Some easy preparation walks should increase your enjoyment.
Stimulating(3,4)
• Time: 5 to 7 hours / less than 20km per day on average
• Gradient: Up to 1000m ascent per day on average, possibility of some steep climbing
• Trail Type: Walking paths, mountain trails, not technically difficult
• Suitable for: Moderate level of fitness required. Some weekend walks of around 3-4 hours should help your preparation.
A Challenge (5)
• Time: Days can be over 7 hours / 20km
• Gradient: Days can be more than 1000m, some steep climbing
• Trail Type: Walking paths, mountain trails, can be technically difficult
• Suitable for: Good level of fitness required. Previous experience would be best. Regular weekend walks of 4-5 hours or more are advisable in the months leading up to your holiday. These should include some mountain walks.
To Piacenza
The best way to go to Piacenza is to fly to one of the Milan's airports, and then to take a train to Piacenza.
Fly from Milan, there are 3 airports :
Milan (Malpensa): Malpensa is the main international airport for Milan and virtually all airlines operate there. It is situated about 30km north-west of Milan. Airport info www.sea-aeroportimilano.it/en/malpensa/index.phtml
Milan (Orio al Serio): Most destinations in Europe are served from Orio al Serio Airport with Ryanair being the main operator. It is situated about 30km north-east of Milan. Airport info www.sacbo.it/Airpor/portalProcess.jsp
Milan (Linate): Linate is the closest airport to Milan city centre. Most destinations in Europe are served from Orio al Serio Airport with Alitalia being the main operator. It is situated about 5km to the east of the city centre. Airport info www.sea-aeroportimilano.it/en/linate/
The train between Milan and Piacenza is short (less than than 1 hour) and cheap (http://www.trenitalia.com/). When you arrive in the airport, you can find shuttles to the beautiful centre of Milan, to reach the train station: Malpensa airport http://www.autostradale.it/sito2_grande/english.html, Linate airport http://www.milanolinate.eu/en/accessibility-and-parking/how-to-get-here and Orio al Serio airport http://www.sacbo.it/Editorial/newsCategoryViewProcess.jsp?editorialID=2658¤tMenu=2175.
From Aulla
Back from Aulla:
1 - To Pisa Airport: From Aulla take the train to Pisa Airport (via a connection in Pisa Centrale Station). Train info www.trenitalia.com. This journey takes between 1h 40mins and 2 hours.
2 - To Genoa Airport: From Aulla take the Train to Genoa Principe Train Station. There is a direct train which takes 2h 10mins or a train (via a connection in Spezia) which takes 3 hours. Train info www.trenitalia.com. From Genoa Principe Train station there is a 30 minute shuttle bus to the airport. Bus info www.airport.genova.it
Fly back from: Pisa or Genoa
1 - Pisa: Most European destinations are served by Pisa airport, with Ryanair being the main operator. Delta Airlines also offer seasonal flights to and from New York JFK. Airport info www.pisa-airport.com
2 - Genoa: Genoa is quite a small airport but it is served by flights to London, Charleroi, Munich, Madrid, Paris and Istanbul as well as the main Italian airports. Airport info www.airport.genova.it
Included:
Luggage transferred from hotel to hotel
Rooms en-suite
Half Board during the hike
Holiday Pack: inc. notes & map(s) & pilgrim passport, what to bring, language book
Not Included:
Flights
Insurance (recommended)
Drinks
Dinner first and last nights
Transfer from/to airport
Bike rental (extra)
