Stage 1: Canterbury to Shepherdswell
Walk 19 km from Canterbury to Shepherdswell on the Via Francigena pilgrimage trail through England.
Distance
19 km
Elevation gain
244 m
Elevation loss
174 m
Time
~5.5 h
Difficulty
Easy
Terrain
Mixed
Highlights along the way
- Canterbury Cathedral
- North Downs Way
- Kent countryside
- St Augustine's Abbey
What to expect on this stage
Stage 1 of the Via Francigena takes you 19 km from Canterbury to Shepherdswell through England, climbing 244 metres and descending 174 metres over mixed terrain. Most walkers complete this stage in around 5.5 hours at a steady pace. The terrain is rated easy, with abundant water sources along the way and good shade.
Getting there
Public transport access: train.
About the Via Francigena
The Via Francigena is the ancient 1,900 km pilgrimage route from Canterbury, England to Rome, Italy, recorded in 990 AD by Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury. It crosses England, France, Switzerland and Italy across 84 daily stages, ending at St Peter's Square in the Vatican.