Saturday, April 26, 2025
- Start: Campagrano di Roma, Italy
- End: La Storta
- Distance walked: 24.5 km (15.3 miles)
- Cumulative distance: 410.7 km (255.1 miles)
The world’s leaders gathered at the Vatican today to honor Pope Francis’s life and attend his funeral. So rather than finishing this trek in 14 or 15 days, I deliberately slowed my pace to avoid the crowds and extra security that will naturally accompany it. And I’d only walk as far as the Roman exurb of La Storta today, leaving the final 20 km until tomorrow. After a slow breakfast in a cafe with Andreas and Catherine, I set off on my own under the sunny skies, walking past horse farms and through a large nature preserve. I also saw my first snake of the trip. But the highlight of my day might have been the yard full of English bulldogs at the home where I spent my final evening on the Via Francigena.
HIGHLIGHTS
- I didn’t expect to see an American-style dude ranch in Abruzzo, Italy, and the name Shenandoah brought back some fond memories. I spent quite a bit of time in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, and I’ve even hiked the 100-mile length of Shenandoah National Park twice.
- The horseshoe-shaped spillway at the edge of today’s nature preserve provided a perfect shaded place for a break and to soak my feet in some cool water
- The dogs at the home I was staying at in La Storta were just adorable. I have a huge soft spot for all short-nosed breeds, whether they are English bulldogs, French bulldogs, Boston terriers, pugs, or boxers.
CHALLENGES
- Seeing that snake on the side of the road with its bulging belly gave me the heebie jeebies. I’m grateful I passed it on pavement – instead of in the tall grass – and I could give it the wide berth it warrants.
- Andreas and Catherine stopped in a totally different exurb of Rome than I did this afternoon, so I have no idea if I’ll get to see them again at the Vatican tomorrow. They’ve been a big part of this journey on the Via Francigena, and it would be really nice to see them at the finish line.