Trail Angels. The support network for the maintenance of the route

The European Association of Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) and the association Movimento Lento created the “Trail Angels”: local associations committed to control a stretch of the Via Francigena route, verifying its safety and maintenance and, where necessary, working on signposting. These activities are complementary to the actions carried out by the local municipalities.

The EAVF offers member associations a possibility to receive necessary adhesive signage free of charge and to obtain visibility on social outlets for initiatives related to maintenance and animation of the route. The EAVF, having no capacity to intervene directly on the maintenance of the route, acts as an intermediary between the users of the route (tourists and pilgrims) and the local administrations (municipalities, provinces, departments and regions) by transmitting them reports received on the state of the itinerary.

In England, the official route of the Via Francigena is controlled by the North Downs Ways; in France, the route is included in the GR145 under responsibility of the French Hiking Federation; while in Switzerland, the Via Francigena corresponds to Route 70, controlled by Swiss Mobile. In Italy the route, validated by the regions and the Ministry, is maintained by the municipalities.

In Italy, the “Trail Angels” associations that are part of the network are:

1. Association LA VIA FRANCIGENA DI SIGERICO di Ivrea

Active between Pont-Saint-Martin (Ao) and Piverone (To), Valle d’Aosta and Piedmont

2. Association AMICI DELLA VIA FRANCIGENA di Santhià

Active between Piverone (To) and San Germano Vercellese (Vc), Piedmont

3. Association MOVIMENTO LENTO

In support of AMICI DELLA VIA FRANCIGENA de Santhià

4. Association AMICI DELLA VIA FRANCIGENA di Vercelli

Active between San Germano Vercellese (Vc) and Palestro (Pv), Piedmont and Lombardy

5. LA TORRE MERLATA

Active between Palestro and Mortara (Pv), Lombardy

6. Association TRANSITUM PADI

Active between Piacenza and Pontenure (Pc), Emilia-Romagna

7. Association FIORENZUOLA IN MOVIMENTO

Active between Piacenza (Pc) e Fidenza (Pr), Emilia-Romagna

8. Association AMICI DELLA VIA FRANCIGENA IN LUNIGIANA E VAL DI MAGRA

Active between Cisa Pass (Ms) and Lucca (Lu), Tuscany and Liguria

9. ASSOCIAZIONE TOSCANA DELLE VIE FRANCIGENE E CAMMINI

Active in Tuscany

10. Gruppo Trekking Senese

Active between San Gimignano and Celle sul Rigo, Tuscany

11. MEDITERRAID CAMMINA

Active between Viterbo and Rome, Lazio

12. CAI Viterbo

Active between Proceno and Monterosi; between Ronciglione and Nepi (variant Cimina VF), Lazio

13. VALORIZZAIAMO VEIO

Active between Isola Farnese (Rm) and La Storta (Rm), Lazio