Stage 18: Châlons-en-Champagne to Coole
Walk 25 km from Châlons-en-Champagne to Coole on the Via Francigena pilgrimage trail through France.
Distance
25 km
Elevation gain
226 m
Elevation loss
188 m
Time
~6.5 h
Difficulty
Easy
Terrain
Mixed
Highlights along the way
- Vast Champagne plain
- Big sky landscape
- Quiet rural villages
What to expect on this stage
Stage 18 of the Via Francigena takes you 25 km from Châlons-en-Champagne to Coole through France, climbing 226 metres and descending 188 metres over mixed terrain. Most walkers complete this stage in around 6.5 hours at a steady pace. The terrain is rated easy, with scarce water sources along the way and minimal shade.
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.