GPS tracks for Via Francigena

[Brent Macdonald]

Hello - I’m unexpectedly able to do the via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome - leaving Canada on sept 2 - very excited and furiously planning!

Does anyone know where I can find a good route of gps tracks? Is the official app enough?

Thank you so much for any advice and information - cheers

 

[Corned Beef]

You can download tracks for each day, and any alternative, starting here. These can be imported into your favourite software.

VFE01 - Canterbury to Shepherdswell 10.4 miles

GPX GPX

www.viefrancigene.org

Accommodation and planning help here.

Accommodation List – Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome

The CPR Accommodation List for the sections Canterbury to the Swiss border was updated in December 2018 and is now available to download. It is supplemented by the Booklet of Accommodation and Facilities from Canterbury to the Italian Border which is updated each year, and which we sell in our...

pilgrimstorome.org.uk

 

[Harington]

Hello - I’m unexpectedly able to do the via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome - leaving Canada on sept 2 - very excited and furiously planning!

Does anyone know where I can find a good route of gps tracks? Is the official app enough?

Thank you so much for any advice and information - cheers

Hi. @CornedBeef suggests the CPR accommodation lists but they are in need of updating. For a 2024 list you could purchase (it's v cheap) this (see link). It says just france but it's the whole way from Canterbury to Rome: https://pilgrimstorome.org.uk/shop/guide-books/new-booklet-of-accommodation-and-services-in-france/

 

[SusanSmyth]

I’m on the VF now, in Bucey-lès-Gy. I am using a combination of the VieFrancigene site, AllTrails and Google Maps.

 

[Martin-B]

Gpx waypoints are available from pilgrimage publications on their Lightfoot guide pages, I used these on Gaia mapping using thunderforest maps. Fairly accurate and I'd recommend reading the lightfoot guides and the cicerone guides before you go. There are some variations and you'll occasionally find yourself creating your own route, I've never met anyone who sticks religiously to the 'route' , even the locals occasionally guided me onto alternatives as the official route does wander quite a lot ;-)
When I did it I tried to follow the historic route as much as sensible/possible. I did it from Canterbury to Rome in one trip with a mix of camping, hostels and hotels. It's a terrific journey which I'm hoping to repeat next year. Most valuable piece of advice I received was water is frequently available in cemeteries in France as support and services in France is minimal to say the least.

Bonne route

 

[katkins_in]

I was thinking of doing this starting a couple of weeks later... but it sounds like the part through the Alps will be impassable by mid-September most years?

 

[Martin-B]

I was thinking of doing this starting a couple of weeks later... but it sounds like the part through the Alps will be impassable by mid-September most years?

It is possible to bus through the tunnel, the pass is usually closed by October at the latest Iirc.

 

[timr]

I was thinking of doing this starting a couple of weeks later... but it sounds like the part through the Alps will be impassable by mid-September most years?

it depends what you mean by "impassable" but the road to the GSB Pass will close towards the middle of October. Once the road is closed you are confined to the foothpath, and during the depth of winter you will be doing this on skis. So yes you will be too late to cross easily if you start from Canterbury in mid Septemnber. You can still continue as far as Bourg St Pierre on foot and get a bus through the tunnel. The path onward in Italy would be fine during the autumn.

Although this thread was begun (by me) six years ago, you may still found it interesting.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/gsb-a-guide-to-crossing-the-great-st-bernard-pass.59812/

 

[Martin-B]

it depends what you mean by "impassable" but the road to the GSB Pass will close towards the middle of October. Once the road is closed you are confined to the foothpath, and during the depth of winter you will be doing this on skis. So yes you will be too late to cross easily if you start from Canterbury in mid Septemnber. You can still continue as far as Bourg St Pierre on foot and get a bus through the tunnel. The path onward in Italy would be fine during the autumn.

Although this thread was begun (by me) six years ago, you may still found it interesting.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/gsb-a-guide-to-crossing-the-great-st-bernard-pass.59812/

Timr is absolutely correct, apologies for speed replying, the pass never actually closes but for most walkers it becomes a risky business once the weather closes in. I was lucky as I arrived there in May, the road had been cleared but hadn't been open to traffic so I was told not to use the path but stay on the road, apart from the very occasional works vehicle I had the road to myself. I have winter climbing experience but was more than happy to plod along on tarmac.

 

[Buniontrotter]

Hello - I’m unexpectedly able to do the via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome - leaving Canada on sept 2 - very excited and furiously planning!

Does anyone know where I can find a good route of gps tracks? Is the official app enough?

Thank you so much for any advice and information - cheers

I'm afraid I know nothing of GPS tracks, but we started this camino in October of 2019, just before covid.
This year at last we hope to continue from where we left off that time.
We will be in Vitry le Francois on the 25th September. We might meet you on the way .
Look our for an Irish couple

 

[Corned Beef]

I was thinking of doing this starting a couple of weeks later... but it sounds like the part through the Alps will be impassable by mid-September most years?

The local transport company in the Martigny / GSB area is TMR. There is a bus 3 times a day to the Hospice at the Pass (Route 210). This bus runs (according to the 2024 timetable) from 22nd June 2024 to 22nd September 2024 which is an indication of the roads likely being clear enough. After that you should check with the Hospice as you may still be able to walk.

https://www.tmrsa.ch/app/uploads/2022/04/12.210-23.pdf

Though even on 9th July there was snow at the Pass

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/on-the-camino-one-day-at-a-time-one-photo-at-a-time-11-0.84524/post-1273031

 

[Roland49]

Though even on 9th July there was snow at the Pass

It's the Alps.
On my traverse of the Alps in 2020 we had fresh snow on 2nd August (at alt. 2800m)!
Better be safe than sorry!

 

[Corned Beef]

Personal view. The route from Barrage des Toules to L'Hospitalet where you cross the road up to the Hospice is easy going. After that you are scrambling a bit. We were uncertain about walking over the snow fields as we were not sure if it would hold our weight so had to take a couple of detours. It may be better later in the year to take the road from that point. Or since L'Hospitalet is a bus stop on the 210 route, wait for the bus to the top.

At the Barrage des Toules there is now a pleasant cafe and viewpoint. We saw a couple of animals which we think were beavers which seemed odd. Perhaps someone might know about brown-furred beaver sized animals in that area.

 

[Roland49]

At the Barrage des Toules there is now a pleasant cafe and viewpoint. We saw a couple of animals which we think were beavers which seemed odd. Perhaps someone might know about brown-furred beaver sized animals in that area.

You saw Marmots. Many of them know humans well and do get along with the frequent visitors.

 

[timr]

Yes. Marmots to be seen there! Bit shy, but certainly not scared!!

 

[Paul-CH]

In winter, the Hospice is only accessible on skis or snowshoes. It takes around 2h30 to walk from the square in Bourg-Saint-Bernard (at the start of the pass road). Before setting off (experienced winter hikers only), it is essential to check the weather and snow conditions and the risk of avalanches at the hospice.

Here the situation on July 11th 2024. Just a week ago there was enough snow on the pass, that the people who went on ski tours could already put on their skis at the hotel.

 

[Brent Macdonald]

I’m on the VF now, in Bucey-lès-Gy. I am using a combination of the VieFrancigene site, AllTrails and Google Maps.

Thank you so much!