- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF; Norte; Ingles; Augustine; Portugues Central
I walked the Via Francigena alone from Canterbury to Rome starting July 30/24 arriving Nov 16/24 at St. Peter’s Basilica. I walked 102 days and took 8 rest days. I have dual citizenship so was very fortunately not restrained by the 90 Schengen visa rule. My total distance of actual daily “on route” walking was 2315 km vs the guidebook 2100km, which is consistent or a bit less than other pilgrims I communicated with while walking. I did plan accommodation (family hosts, hostels, religious hosts, Air bnb, hotels) from Canterbury to Lausanne to minimize the impact of France’s annual August “vacance” (shortage of accommodation & open food stores/bakeries/etc).
I’ve walked 8 various Caminos but this walk was truly a “pilgrimage” for me and felt like a Camino on steroids
. I only met a handful of other “walkers” from the start until crossing the Alps and reaching Lucca where most VF pilgrims start but only 3 other declared pilgrims walking with religious intentions. At no time did I walk in fear (ok a few nervous moments over wild boars in dark forests, huge sheep dogs, tricky mountain paths).
There were innumerable highlights but at the top was starting my pilgrimage in the Canterbury Cathedral with a blessing by Archbishop Justin Welby (before his stepping down
) and ending it by attending Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on World Day of the Poor presided over by the Holy Father, Pope Francis and having him stop beside me at the end.
The volunteers and locals along the entire VF route were amazing, my heart still swells when I think about the so very many caring individuals who welcomed and helped me. I will cherish them forever
.
I hope to walk a much shorter route to Rome in 2025 to participate in the Jubilee Year given when the next one comes around I’ll be either in a seniors residence or witnessing it from above (hopefuly
). I cannot NOT walk 
I’m happy to share my experience (planning, guides, accommodation, equipment, food) with anyone contemplating this mega pilgrimage. Just PM me. If you can, I highly recommend walking the Via Francigena
I’ve walked 8 various Caminos but this walk was truly a “pilgrimage” for me and felt like a Camino on steroids
. I only met a handful of other “walkers” from the start until crossing the Alps and reaching Lucca where most VF pilgrims start but only 3 other declared pilgrims walking with religious intentions. At no time did I walk in fear (ok a few nervous moments over wild boars in dark forests, huge sheep dogs, tricky mountain paths).There were innumerable highlights but at the top was starting my pilgrimage in the Canterbury Cathedral with a blessing by Archbishop Justin Welby (before his stepping down
) and ending it by attending Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on World Day of the Poor presided over by the Holy Father, Pope Francis and having him stop beside me at the end.The volunteers and locals along the entire VF route were amazing, my heart still swells when I think about the so very many caring individuals who welcomed and helped me. I will cherish them forever
.I hope to walk a much shorter route to Rome in 2025 to participate in the Jubilee Year given when the next one comes around I’ll be either in a seniors residence or witnessing it from above (hopefuly
). I cannot NOT walk I’m happy to share my experience (planning, guides, accommodation, equipment, food) with anyone contemplating this mega pilgrimage. Just PM me. If you can, I highly recommend walking the Via Francigena
