DAY 58 - CAMAIORE to LUCCA - 17 June 2026

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After a lovely breakfast on the terrace, the Via Francigena markers led us out of town then onto quiet paths.  Early on, we passed a pilgrim rest area with murals of some of the towns the Francigena passes through.

Before too long, the path took us steeply uphill to Montemagno. At the top,  as well as the views back over Camaiore there was a water fountain, bench and statues,  most of them wooden carvings. The path took us downhill and along the side of the hill until we joined up with a road.

At Valpromaro, we stopped in a bar and had a coffee and some sparkling mineral water.  We hadn't gone too far down the road when a man at the pilgrim hostel called us over, offering a stamp and lemon infused water. He keeps a register of passing pilgrims and confirmed there were few on the trail as far as Lucca - today a Portuguese lady going the other way,  two from New Zealand and two from Brazil.

We continued down the road then took a shortcut our guidebook recommended, which went rapidly downhill.  We rejoined the road for some kilometres, munching our bread on the way.  The Via was short on rest areas in this section but eventually we found a bench to finish our lunch.

The Via continued on the road but we found a path on top of the canal dyke, softer on our feet and with better views. We crossed the bridge then continued in the Parco Fluviale, with opportunities for bird spotting.

After another short stint on the road we entered Lucca via the Porta S. Donato in the old walls. We crossed the town and exited through the Porta Elisa, to reach our accommodation.

Tomorrow is a rest day so this evening's entertainment was visiting the laundromat, then a stroll through the streets.

Breakfast in Camaiore
The Via Francigena on from Camaiore 
On from Camaiore 
Via Francigena mural
Most of today's walk was on asphalt
A steep uphill section ended at Montemagno, from where we could see Camaiore far below
Montemagno is known for its wooden sculptures. Here are some examples. 
Selfie?
The Via Francigena on from Montemagno 
A bit of downhill
Last view of the Ligurian Sea
A stretch of road-walking 
Valpromaro
Teleporting?
A bit of uphill. There's usually a bit of uphill. 
Downhill from Piazzano
Off-road section of the Via Francigena, downhill from Piazzano 
Downhill on the Via Francigena 
Watch out- pedestrians on the road
Today's lunch spot
Above the canal at Ponte San Pietro
Approaching the Ponte San Pietro
The Via Francigena took us alongside the Serchio River for a while
About to enter Lucca via the Porta San Donato
Lucca
Bits and pieces 
Birds

Day 58 - Map

Day:                               58
Distance:                      27.19 km
Walking time:               5 hrs 41 mins
Elevation gain:             397 metres
Cumulative distance:  1192.00 km

Comments

  1. Anonymous18 June 2026 at 07:36

    Today’s birds: Eurasian Jay, Italian Sparrow, Hooded Crow, Yellow-legged Gull (adult), Yellow-legged Gull (young ones)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Barkers19 June 2026 at 05:51

    Excellent!

    ReplyDelete

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