In April 2026, I travelled back to Sarzanne, where I’d stared the Via Francigena the previous September. This time I walked north, over the the truly beautiful Apennines and across the Po valley, through beautiful town and villages to Pavia.

Walking north along the Via Francigena meant that I met many people walking towards Rome.

As the St. Bernard’s pass is closed at this time of year, I decided to follow the Via Francisca del Lucomagno from Pavia, passing over the Lucomagno pass, and walking to Chur, It’s hard to find anywhere in Switzerland that isn’t photogenic, so it was a good walk through beautiful countryside. 

 If at all possible, the Apennines in April with their lush green slopes, are even more beautiful than Tuscany in September. In addition their are many historic towns on the way, Fidenza, Pontremoli, Picenza, Pavia, Chur to name a few, and many small but beautiful villages in both countries.

Walking over the Alps, with snow still on some of the trails, and climbing to ca. 2.000 meters was an experience – although one of the lower passes, I can now say that I have walked across the Alps. 

On the down side, there was no or very limited infrastructure on some of the stages, Italy and Switzerland, like the rest of Europe, is experiencing the closing down of shops and bars in smaller villages. Likewise the field upon field upon field in the Po valley, also became a little monotonous.

Switzerland is more expensive than the more traditional Camino countries, and although I wasn’t looking for them, I believe there are fewer hostels offering cheap accommodation along this route.

All in all another great walk across Europe, as I make my way “home” from Rome.