DAY 49 - PARMA to FORNOVO DI TARO - 8 June 2026

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Using bike paths then roads, we walked to Vicofertile, where we bought bread rolls for lunch and had a coffee. A canal ran next to our road and there were crops such as tomatoes and wheat.

We were excited when the Via Francigena joined us - we weren't sure how well it would be signposted from Parma but the marking turned out to be excellent. We could even choose from two variants. We chose the Parco Fluviale del Taro, because it was shorter and took us through green space. We had views of the wide rocky river with mountains in the distance.

After a while the Via Francigena went off on roads but we stayed with the Parco Fluviale. It provided a picnic  table and fountain for lunch.  The path was perfect - shady, soft underfoot,  following a river.

The Via Francigena rejoined and our path became a bit overgrown in places. It took us through fields and we had to open and shut gates. The fields ended and we were surrounded by scrub.

As we came into Fornovo di Taro, the path ran alongside the river.  We found a small statue on the long bridge and enjoyed a cold drink at a bar before heading up the hill to our accommodation.  Luckily dinner is provided, so we don't have to go back down and up again!

Leaving Parma - between the road and the bike path 
These murals added a point of interest to an otherwise unexceptional industrial building 
We used a separated bike path to cross under a busy highway
Morning coffee stop in Vicofertile 
Road-walking by a canal
This bridge looks like it has seen better days
Joining the Via Francigena
We stayed on the Via Francigena for most of the rest of the day
The path was mostly off-road
Heading for Rome
The frequent signposts made for easy navigating
Lunch stop with a picnic table, a fountain, and a view - pretty good
Alongside a stream
Through some scrub
A tricky water crossing
The Via Francigena approaching Fornovo di Taro 
Looks like hills ahead . . . 
007
Those hills are getting closer
The bridge at Fornovo di Taro 
On the bridge at Fornovo di Taro 
An information sign for this section of the Via Francigena 
A bit of a climb to our accommodation tonight
Bits and pieces 
Dragonflies and lizard
Birds
Day 49 - Map

Day:                               49
Distance:                      28.64 km
Walking time:               6 hrs 01 mins
Elevation gain:             271 metres
Cumulative distance:  976.76 km

Comments

  1. Anonymous8 June 2026 at 23:05

    Today’s birds: European Collared Dove/Common Starling, Grey Heron, Grey Heron, Hooded Crow, European Bee-eater, Western Cattle Egret, probably Italian Sparrow

    ReplyDelete
  2. Barkers9 June 2026 at 05:54

    Thanks Murray!

    ReplyDelete

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