Via Francigena first stage • Cycling from Aosta to Parma

• The Saint Bernard Pass, the Italian gateway to the Via Francigena
• Towering alpine peaks and deep valleys
• Piedmont’s unique landscape with fairytale castles and vineyards;
• Parma the foodie’s mecca
• The 14th-century Chartreuse of Pavia, one of Italy’s largest monasteries

The first part of the Via Francigena cycling itinerary takes you from the snowy peaks of Grand St. Bernard to the fertile Pianura Padana plain, cycling throughout the rolling Piedmont hills. Admire the unique scenery of the “Checkered Sea” around Vercelli, take your time to sunbathe on the fluvial beaches, contemplate the Alps that dominate the scenery as you cycle in the valleys descending through orchards and woods. At the end of each cycling day, reward yourself with foodie treats: each of the cities you will encounter on the way offer delights for the palate. The Saint Bernard Pass is open from June to September: in the other months, the trip starts directly from Aosta.