01
Altitude at departure point: 100 mt
Day 1: Arrival in Aulla
Aulla has been completely destroyed by bombing during World War II so most of the town is modern- However do not miss San Caprasio abbey; it is very interesting to see the reconstruction work and the little museum. The priest knows a lot about the Francigena and you can meet other pilgrims.
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Distance 18,5 km (walking time 5 h)
Day 2: Aulla - Sarzana
Leaving Aulla which lays in the shade of the imposing Brunella fortress we walk through the last slopes of the Appennino mountain and will catch the first sight of the sea. The Bibola ruined castle is our first stop, then the ruins of the Brina castle before starting the descent towards Sarzana.
Type of route: almost entirely unpaved
03
Distance 17,2 km (walking time 4.30 h)
Day 3: Sarzana - Avenza
First you meet the Sarzanello fortress. You will then walk from fortress to castle, to watch tower with the Apuane Alps in as a backdrop. It is the country of the famous Carrara marble and the mountains are white from its deposits.
Type of route: dirt roads or secondary asphalt
04
Distance 22,6 km (walking time 5.30 h)
Day 4: Avenza - Camaiore
A pleasant walk with beautiful views of the coast. Again, we remain high on the hills to avoid an overcrowded plain. The route is therefore full of ups and downs. The villages of this area, contrary to the one on the coast are still very well preserved with cobbled streets and small cafes. We will take a train between Massa and Pietrasanta to avoid a boring and long stretch.
Type of route: dirt roads or secondary asphalt
05
Distance 24 km (walking time 7.30 h)
Day 5: Camaiore - Lucca
The main attraction of the day is certainly the arrival point, Lucca which you reach via the Park of the Serchio river. Take a walk on the oval shaped town walls, visit the Duomo not forgetting “il Volto Santo” an impressive, woodden sculpture created by Niccodemus, that arrived in Lucca by miracle on a boat without sailors, as the legend goes.
Type of route: dirt roads or secondary asphalt
06
Distance 17,1 km (walking time 4.30 h)
Day 6: Lucca - Altopascio
A very pleasant town with a very old hospital. The area used to be very unhealthy because marshy and infested by bandits. Now it is a very densely populated area, not really nice to walk. Suggestion: spend most of the day in Lucca and catch a train! (Only 15 minutes).
Type of route: almost entirely asphalt
07
Distance 28,9 km (walking time 7.30 h)
Day 7: Altopascio - S. Miniato
There is a short stretch of medieval original pavement. To see along the way: Ponte a Cappiano (bridge built by Cosimo de’ Medici, XVI sec.) – San Miniato Alto. To make it shorter and avoid a not so nice stretch, you can catch a bus.
Type of route: dirt roads or secondary asphalt and a strech of original paved route.
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Day 8: End our service
See you next year to walk together the next stage
