Stage 49: Santhia to Vercelli
Walk 26 km from Santhia to Vercelli on the Via Francigena pilgrimage trail through Italy.
Distance
26 km
Elevation gain
53 m
Elevation loss
101 m
Time
~6.5 h
Difficulty
Easy
Terrain
Flat
Highlights along the way
- Vercelli rice paddies
- Basilica of Sant'Andrea
- Vercelli Cathedral
- Flooded paddy reflections (spring)
What to expect on this stage
Stage 49 of the Via Francigena takes you 26 km from Santhia to Vercelli through Italy, climbing 53 metres and descending 101 metres over flat. Most walkers complete this stage in around 6.5 hours at a steady pace. The terrain is rated easy, with moderate water sources along the way and poor 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.