👣 19,2 km on foot – Tuesday 17 August

An authentic and relaxing hike today: no rush, no appointments, just our small group and the route. The wind and the shady path also made it a very enjoyable walk. Yet, it was quite a steep section of the Via Francigena, which required some extra energies. I always enjoy walking in the mountains: it really brings me in contact with nature and with myself.

Un’escursione autentica e rilassante oggi: niente fretta, niente appuntamenti, solo il nostro piccolo gruppo e il percorso. Il vento e il sentiero ombroso la rendevano anche una passeggiata molto piacevole. Eppure, era un tratto piuttosto ripido della Via Francigena, che richiedeva qualche energia in più. Mi piace sempre camminare in montagna: mi porta davvero a contatto con la natura e con me stesso.

We crossed the cute and picturesque town of Castellonchio and then Berceto, known as the ‘perla dell’Appennino’ – the pearl of the Appennino mountains – because of its charming position, enclosed in the mountains. We stopped here for our lunch, a ‘piadina’ and a fresh beer. 🍺

The second part of our climb was smooth and quite quick. Before going up to the Pass we decided to walk a piece of a Via Francigena variant, which led us to Monte Valoria, at 1229 m elevation, where we had an amazing view and a cool wind refreshing us. From here, we descended to the Cisa Pass, took a bunch of silly pictures at our arrival, and visited the new TWIN cottage, a newly installed and innovative construction that hosts pilgrims. The cottage was built with recycled materials by local prisoners who are being socially reintegrated – a sustainable project led by the Politecnico di Milano. The hostels of Cassio and of the Cisa Pass have been closed for quite a while, and the number of walkers is increasing year by year, so this is now an additional option for walkers who seek hospitality when passing through these stages.

Tomorrow we walk into Tuscany, which has been my home for over 6 years: it feels a bit like going back home. I can’t wait to take a lot of pictures and meet new people – here we come! 😊

HIGHLIGHTS

– Relaxing with a peaceful walk in the woods up the mountains

– Exploring Monte Valoria by leaving the main route of the Via Francigena

– Reaching the second important Pass of the route!

TODAY’S WALKERS

Myra Stals, Social Media Manager (EAVF)

Luca Faravelli, Project Manager (EAVF)

Sami Tawfik, Project Manager (EAVF)

Cecilia Micciantuono, Amministrative Assistant (EAVF)

Sara Massarotto, Movimento Lento/Itineraria (@saramassarotto)

Daniele Ceddia, RTR Ambassador

Marcella Biserni, Ragazze in Gamba

Massimo & Daniele (@walkingforcharity & @il_cammino_per_salus_pueri)

Filippo Racanella, videomaker