DAY 18 - VALDICHIASCIO to VALFABBRICA- 8 May 2026

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This morning we greeted five pilgrims going the other way, who were quite cheerful despite their climb.  Our host had given us a good breakfast,  otherwise we would have been tempted by the hard boiled eggs offered free to pilgrims outside an agriturismo.  We came upon the tiny chapel of Madonna della Grazia,  which pilgrims had decorated with offerings.

After about an hour we arrived at the Hermitage of San Pietro in Vigneto. We popped into the beautiful chapel, painted blue inside and with the basin and towel left from an earlier pilgrim foot washing.  We had a coffee and toilet break there before following the pilgrims who had left earlier.

There were farm animals, colourful flowers, river crossings and long views to the man-made lake. At one stage the large pavers made us think we were walking on a Roman road. There was another place offering coffee to pilgrims for a donation, where a dog joined us for a short walk - luckily he was easily discouraged.

We took the longer way to ensure we saw the castle of Biscina, but needn't have worried - we had great views of it from the other side.

Our mozzarella and mortadella sandwiches made by our host were eaten on a roadside bench. After that,  we followed the Via on the road for some way before branching off to a smaller track which brought us into Valfabbrica. We accompanied a pilgrim called Karen from Scotland to the main square,  where we found a large number of other pilgrims gathered to watch the world go by.
Lovely views at the start of today's walk
One of the walkers we met coming the other way. This one (Elisa) stopped to talk to us. 
Pilgrim offerings at the chapel of Madonna della Grazia
Back on the Via di Francesco 
The Hermitage of San Pietro in Vigneto
Cows
One of many water crossings today
The signage for the Via di Francesco has been pretty good all the way
Another tricky water crossing
Healthy apple for morning tea
More of those expansive views that were a feature of today's walk
As the locals hear about our walk,  more and more want to join in
An old tree on the way
Change of scenery on the Via di Francesco 
An atmospheric ruin 
We looked out over the man-made Lago di Valfabbrica for much of the day
An uphill section. There are a lot of those on the Via di Francesco. 
A fun bit through the forest
Lunch
A happy walker in front of the  Lago di Valfabbrico
Approaching Valfabbrica on the Via di Francesco
Valfabbrica
Entering Valfabbrica
Valfabbrica
Valfabbrica
A healthy dinner, Valfabbrica
Some bits and pieces from today's walk

Flowers
Birds
Day 18 - Map 

Day:                               18
Distance:                      24.85 km
Walking time:               5 hrs 25 mins
Elevation gain:             616 metres
Cumulative distance:  344.50 km


Comments

  1. Anonymous9 May 2026 at 01:10

    Birds were a bit easier to identify today: Common Hoopoe (first for your trip!), western cattle egret, Eurasian collared dove, European goldfinch

    ReplyDelete
  2. Barkers9 May 2026 at 05:37

    Thanks Murray!

    ReplyDelete

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