Walking VF in March

[Karienepientje]

Hi all,



This past september I have finished the Camino Frances from SJPdP and now I am looking to walk a small portion of the VF in March, probably in Italy or perhaps France if there are good suggestions.

I'm looking to walk some shorter stages in beautiful landscapes, anywhere between, say, 7 and 21 days. When I'm finished I will take public transport to spend a few days in Rome or another pretty city.



I know it's pretty early in the season. Can anyone recommend a route that would be suitable to walk in March? What weather and gear should I take into account? Any other information on the VF is also welcome as it is a lot harder to come by good info compared to the CF.



Thank you!!

 

[Corned Beef]

I'm looking to walk some shorter stages in beautiful landscapes, anywhere between, say, 7 and 21 days. When I'm finished I will take public transport to spend a few days in Rome or another pretty city.

You can start at San Miniatio to do most of Tuscany which will bring you close to Rome for the final days.

There is a rail link to SM but it's a few miles away from the actual town. There are buses from the station. The first goes to SM Basso (lower town) and there is a small bus that goes to SM Alto (upper town) which is where you want to be.

From SM you'll walk to Monteriggini, Siena, San Gimignano, and others through beautiful Italian countryside. Sections in the link

The Via Francigena in Italy - Via Francigena

The Via Francigena in Italy From the Great St. Bernard Pass to Rome Via Francigena in the Susa Valley From Rome to Santa Maria di Leuca The route to Monte […]

www.viefrancigene.org

 

[Karienepientje]

Thank you for the suggestions.
Does anyone know: is March too early for flowers to bloom etc in Tuscany? I would be sad to walk in a wintery landscape just missing out on spring by only a few weeks.

 

[Corned Beef]

Have a look at YouTube. There are a lot of VF videos, usually by Italians, which might give you the answer. I did mine in late May which was ideal for temperatures which can be too high later in the year.

 

[Karienepientje]

You can start at San Miniatio to do most of Tuscany which will bring you close to Rome for the final days.

There is a rail link to SM but it's a few miles away from the actual town. There are buses from the station. The first goes to SM Basso (lower town) and there is a small bus that goes to SM Alto (upper town) which is where you want to be.

From SM you'll walk to Monteriggini, Siena, San Gimignano, and others through beautiful Italian countryside. Sections in the link

The Via Francigena in Italy - Via Francigena

The Via Francigena in Italy From the Great St. Bernard Pass to Rome Via Francigena in the Susa Valley From Rome to Santa Maria di Leuca The route to Monte […]

www.viefrancigene.org

Just a question, why would I start from SM and not from Lucca? Will I miss out on beautiful landmarks/landscapes if I start from SM?

 

[Bradypus]

Just a question, why would I start from SM and not from Lucca? Will I miss out on beautiful landmarks/landscapes if I start from SM?

The landscape between Lucca and San Miniato is pleasant enough but nothing of any particular note. San Miniato would be a good place to start.

 

[Corned Beef]

Its as @Bradypus says but if you want to start in Lucca (and I loved Lucca and its walls - pic) you can take the train from Lucca to Florence and then back out to SM. And then the walk to Siena and its Palazzo Pubblico.

 

[jruberto]

Thank you for the suggestions.
Does anyone know: is March too early for flowers to bloom etc in Tuscany? I would be sad to walk in a wintery landscape just missing out on spring by only a few weeks.

Hi,

We are in Gambassi Terme and the the flowers are just starting to bloom.