Highlights:
- Pavia and the old bridge on the Po river- The Sesia and the Ticino Natural Reserves
- The local food and wine
Daily itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Pont Saint MartinIndividual arrival in Pont Saint Martin. Dinner and overnight stay in Pont Saint Martin. Meals D
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Day 2: Pont Saint-Martin - Ivrea (7h hours hiking, +700m -800m, 26 km)Leaving the Alps in the direction of the Big Plain. The landscape change: farms and fields. The old historical centre of Ivrea and its castle are very well preserved. Overnight stay in Ivrea ( B)
Day 3: Ivrea – Viverone (5 h 45 hiking, +545mt -250mt, 22 km)Discovering the farmlands, with rivers, small lakes and beautiful tiny villages, typical of the countryside. The Viverone lake and its village are very peaceful places to stay. Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel in Viverone. (B-D)
Day 4: Viverone - Santhià (4 hours hiking, +100mt -230mt, 15 km)Walking on the hill of the "Serra d' Ivrea", the incredible glacial moraine of the Mesozoic, is really impressive. Dinner and overnight stay in Santhià. (B-D)
Day 5: Santhià - Vercelli (6 h 20 hiking, +30mt -90mt, 28 km)Today you enter officially onto the Padana plain. A very important territory for Italy, due to the production of rice and paper. A strategic area of trades since the Roman and Medieval periods. The amazing Romanesque – Gothic S. Andrew Basilica is waiting for you in Vercelli. Overnight stay in Hotel in Vercelli. (B)
Day 6: Vercelli - Mortara (8h de marche, +30mt / -40mt, 33 km)The Sesia River Natural park is a reserve protecting a fragile environment. Along your walk on the shores you can see heron, coot and swans. The hamlet of Robbio, known as an important trading post on the road to Rome from France. Mortara is worldwide famous for food, salami, especially goose. This food is linked to a strong Jewish community living in the medieval age Overnight stay in Hotel in Mortara. ( B)
Day 7:Mortara – Garlasco (6 h 15 hiking, +30mt / -50mt, 26 km)The Visconti family was the strongest from the medieval time. After the conquest of Milan, the family spread its power to the fields and to the territory close to the Ticino river. The castle of Garlasco is a testimony of the importance of the town during the Visconti period. Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel in Garlasco. ( B-D)
Day 8: Garlasco - Pavia (6 h 30 hiking, +50mt / -80mt, 26 km)Today you have the chance to discover one of the most beautiful natural areas of Italy: the Ticino River Natural Park: many birds species, migratory and sedentary, water lilies and poplars, trout and pike . The Ticino river is 248 km long and its water is the cleanest in Italy. The biggest Italian river, the Po, is waiting for you in the amazing town of Pavia. End of the tour. (B)
In Pavia you can book an extra night in hotel (option) or continue walking on the next part of Via Francigena
Note meals: B (Breakfast); L(lunch); D (dinner)
Skill level: medium, 4h30 to 7 hours walking each day, well marked large and paved paths and wooden trails. A prior hiking experience is recommended.
Accommodation: 7 nights in hotel ***, and B&B based on twin/triple ensuite room
Equipment: trekking shoes, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream
Included:
- 7 nights' accommodation with B&B treatment- Luggage transfer from day 2 to day 8
- Dinners included as described in the program
- 24 h Phone Assistance in case of emergency
- Maps, road book and description of the tourr
Not included:
- All kind of beverages and personal items- All lunches (about 5€ for each picnic lunch)
- Dinners not included
- Transfer to the first accommodation in Pont Saint Martin on day 1
- Transfer from Pavia to airport or station day 8
- Tourist tax where required (about 2€ per day per person)
