- Time of past OR future Camino
- May 2023: Via Francigena, Lucca to Rome
I've seen references to alternate routes on the Lucca to Altopascio segment, but there's not a lot of concrete information. I'll link to the information I've found online, but I'd love to hear from anyone who has actually walked it. The official route is along busy roads through suburbs and industrial areas, and doesn't sound pleasant.
Pilgrimage Publications:
Many people choose to start there journey on the via Francigena in the beautiful city of Lucca, but sadly the first stage they will encounter follows largely tarmac roads in quite heavily populated areas. However, if you have the time and energy 2 alterative longer routes have been proposed and can be found on the web-site of the commune of Capannori.
Commune di Capannori:
Since the historical itinerary of the Via Francigena is now in a densely built environment, two alternative paths have been officially recognised and provided with special signals (vVF or 'variant of Via Francigena'). Both paths are accessible by bike, and cross two of the areas richest in natural, landscape and hisotrical beauty. The northern branch reaches the foot of the mountains of Altopiano delle Pizzorne, while the southern touches the Monte Pisano.
The original journey from Lucca to Altopascio of around 20 km in length can now take over 40 km or around 34 km, depending on the alternative chosen. The beginning and the end of both alternatives are outiside the territory of Capannori, as they leave from the walls of Lucca and join the historical route when they enter the municipality of Altopascio.
The northern itinerary is rich in cultural and historical points of attraction such as Villa Reale or the village of Matraia, where a panoramic road leads visitors to many other villages, hamlets and hidden churches (Valgiano, the ancient church of San Quirico in Petroio, San Pietro a Marcigliano, Sant'Andrea in Caprile, Tofori, Petrograno). Every single one of them has its own church, villas and farms.
The southern variant of the Via Francigena twists and turns along the famous Monumental Aqueduct of Lorenzo Nottolini, that with more than 3 km of high arches still gives the good water of Monte Pisano to the fountains of Lucca. The route crosses the village of Badia di Cantignano with its interesting church, and reaches Vorno and its parish church. In Vorno you can find Rio di Vorno, a tourist reception point with a restaurant and rooms for the night.
(Editorial note: the website doesn't say which is the 34 and which the 40 km route! Nor are there maps.)
Sandy Brown (Facebook post):
There's been a lot of discussion over the years about the unattractive official walking stage between Lucca and Altopascio. In preparation for a walking tour I'm leading in June, my partner has been out, scouting the official alternate route that follows the 19th c aqueduct. I've walked part of it, and it's a real beauty. The tracks are attached below, and here are some pictures as well. If you're walking a short Francigena in Tuscany, it's definitely worth it to start in Lucca so you don't miss one of Italy's favorite towns and the beautiful surrounding scenery. (GPS links)
Note: this route is 26 km / 16 miles
Also, posts on Facebook say the next official stage, 28 km from Altopascio to San Miniato, can be brutal. Some suggest breaking it up at Ponte e Cappiano, at the midway point.
Pilgrimage Publications:
Many people choose to start there journey on the via Francigena in the beautiful city of Lucca, but sadly the first stage they will encounter follows largely tarmac roads in quite heavily populated areas. However, if you have the time and energy 2 alterative longer routes have been proposed and can be found on the web-site of the commune of Capannori.
Commune di Capannori:
Since the historical itinerary of the Via Francigena is now in a densely built environment, two alternative paths have been officially recognised and provided with special signals (vVF or 'variant of Via Francigena'). Both paths are accessible by bike, and cross two of the areas richest in natural, landscape and hisotrical beauty. The northern branch reaches the foot of the mountains of Altopiano delle Pizzorne, while the southern touches the Monte Pisano.
The original journey from Lucca to Altopascio of around 20 km in length can now take over 40 km or around 34 km, depending on the alternative chosen. The beginning and the end of both alternatives are outiside the territory of Capannori, as they leave from the walls of Lucca and join the historical route when they enter the municipality of Altopascio.
The northern itinerary is rich in cultural and historical points of attraction such as Villa Reale or the village of Matraia, where a panoramic road leads visitors to many other villages, hamlets and hidden churches (Valgiano, the ancient church of San Quirico in Petroio, San Pietro a Marcigliano, Sant'Andrea in Caprile, Tofori, Petrograno). Every single one of them has its own church, villas and farms.
The southern variant of the Via Francigena twists and turns along the famous Monumental Aqueduct of Lorenzo Nottolini, that with more than 3 km of high arches still gives the good water of Monte Pisano to the fountains of Lucca. The route crosses the village of Badia di Cantignano with its interesting church, and reaches Vorno and its parish church. In Vorno you can find Rio di Vorno, a tourist reception point with a restaurant and rooms for the night.
(Editorial note: the website doesn't say which is the 34 and which the 40 km route! Nor are there maps.)
Sandy Brown (Facebook post):
There's been a lot of discussion over the years about the unattractive official walking stage between Lucca and Altopascio. In preparation for a walking tour I'm leading in June, my partner has been out, scouting the official alternate route that follows the 19th c aqueduct. I've walked part of it, and it's a real beauty. The tracks are attached below, and here are some pictures as well. If you're walking a short Francigena in Tuscany, it's definitely worth it to start in Lucca so you don't miss one of Italy's favorite towns and the beautiful surrounding scenery. (GPS links)
Note: this route is 26 km / 16 miles
Also, posts on Facebook say the next official stage, 28 km from Altopascio to San Miniato, can be brutal. Some suggest breaking it up at Ponte e Cappiano, at the midway point.
