Best place to start in italy

[scott the farmer]

Hi this is just pie in the sky stuff but would Aosta be a good place to start the walk in Italy?

 

[Deleted member 76633]

If Aosta in in consideration, then why not start 100m outside Italy at the GSB pass hostel. Taken as half-way on the VF.

 

[scott the farmer]

If I do this I would like to start in May and the alps would be too hard at that time of the year

 

[jl]

If it is mid to late May you are more than likely able to walk up to GSB Pass. The roads could well be open except for the few hundred metres across the pass. I was there at the end of May and that is what I found, though I suspect it depends on the year. You are more than likely able to get to Saint Rhemy - a very pretty village. Aosta is a great place to start otherwise.

 

[carryoncouple]

Are you considering the Way of St. Francis, or are you committed to the Via Francigena?

 

[scruffy1]

Which direction? SdC - Aosta is a beautiful area walked and climbed there often when I was younger...much younger. Thinking practically I would consider starting from Torino (not my favorite city) headed SW to catch the Via Tolosana in Arles. Rome? The Assisi Way begins in Vezelay flows through or closeby Aosta and would allow you to miss some those high passes - lodging on both the Via Francigena and the Assisi Way can be austere. I have walked from La Verne through Assisi to Rome fantastic views art and architecture but can be a challenge logistically food lodging etc.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Seems like a good enough place, though I'd mildly suggest starting the walk upon disembarkation at the airport or arrival from a train, even though on first go that might just be to wherever you'll sleep there.

And then (less mildly) walking from there all the Way to Rome, not just some section.

There's something from completing a pilgrimage through walking every step of the Way that is easily lost from unnecessary compromise (health problems excepted always).