Santiago to Assisi

[alspacas]

Hi all,
I walked the Camino Frances from StJ to Finisterre on my own in 2002, and a short trip from Samos last year with my wife. I was amazed at the changes in 6 years – so many more pilgrims, refugios, bars etc.. It seems difficult to find much solitude there these days.

Having a strong spiritual connection with Assisi and St Francis, I have harboured the dream of walking in his footsteps from Assisi to Santiago, or vice versa. I am turning 60 next year and that seems an appropriate time to do it.
I like the notion of finishing my pilgrimage at Assisi, so am leaning towards walking eastbound rather than west. What are your thoughts about this? I assume the GR’s are reasonably well marked in both directions??
My route from Santiago would be to Puenta La Reina, then onto the Camino Arragones, then the Via Tolosana to Arles.
From there I could either head inland to join the Via Francigena at Montgenevre, or follow along the coast .
I have not been able to find much information on the route Arles to Menton, and any information would be a great help. Also any thoughts on connecting to the Via Francigena and from there to Assisi.
All thoughts, comments most welcome.
Ultreya

 

[William Marques]

Ann followed the route you intend to take and if you look at her site and chose the 2006 Pilgrimage you will find her route and diary.
http://www.walk2rome.me.uk/

Ann has also walked from Rome to Assisi so it would be worth looking at the last few days of her 2008 Blog for information on that too.

In terms of development of routes the VF in Italy is much as the Camino was in the early 90's with a network of refugios only just starting to be established but with way-marking improving every year.

The Rome-Assisi route (or vice versa) is still pioneering for the walking pilgrim a route exists but like the VF in France the way-marking is very intermittent.

Buen Camino
William

 

[alspacas]

Thanks William
I have already been in contact with Ann who has been most helpful.
However, the Amis site she utilised appears to have been delisted, so if anyone knows more about the Arles Menton section, I would be most grateful.
Ciao from Melbourne where we're very glad to be getting some rain to put out the bushfires!

 

[jeff001]

There is information on a 350+km marked route from LaVerna to Assisi here: http://www.diquipassofrancesco.it/En/homeEN.html

 

[Deleted member 3000]

One key to walking backward is maps, I was told by several reverse walkers on the one evening you have with them. Waymarks can be hard to find, so you often define your own camino when you get a little bit lost, and you need good maps to do that.

 

[alspacas]

Thanks jeff
There's some useful info there, and I will contact them. However, their route is basically north-south, whereas I want to head east/west to connect to the Via Francigena
Thks for your help

 

[crackmrmac]

Hi Alan, I'm 10 years behind you. Leave the trail clean. The guys here will give you expert advice or point you in the right direction. Do these guys a favour and report back.

Buen Camino

Brian

 

[alspacas]

Thanks Brian,
I remember all the rubbish from my first Camino, and last year made a conscious effort to collect some every day. It's good to see the South African initiative to clean up the Frances.
Will certainly report back in due course. It seems so far away yet, but I know how quickly time passes.
Ultreya

 

[William Marques]

You may have seen this from Peter Robins:
"Re: topoguide GR653D
I understand that an official FFRP topoguide to this new route
Arles-Montgenevre (or Montgenevre-Arles) will be published in the
Spring."