Highlights
- Taro river valley
- Transition to Apennine foothills
- Medesano village
- Fornovo Romanesque church
Stage conditions
| Section | Apennines (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Abundant |
| Shade | Full |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Fidenza is a junction on the Milan–Bologna line with branches to Cremona, Salsomaggiore and Fornovo. Fornovo di Taro, at the end, has a station on the Parma–La Spezia (Pontremolese) line and the single-track Fidenza–Fornovo branch, so you can return to Fidenza directly or reach Parma in about twenty minutes; there are three pairs of trains a day on the Fidenza branch, so check times. TEP buses also serve Fornovo. Medesano, on the route, has a station on the Fidenza–Fornovo branch if you want to shorten the 32 km.
What the season does
Best months are April to June and September to October; the stage data drops July and August. The stage leaves the plain and climbs into the first Apennine foothills, marked full shade, with the terrain becoming hilly in the second half. Spring is the best time, green and cool with the Taro running high; autumn is mild with chestnuts and the first fog in the valley. The source stage page notes that between km 19 and 20 high summer grass hides the path through the fields, another reason to avoid July and August.
Safety on this stage
The stage notes warn of a long stage with increasing elevation: 32 km with 601 m of ascent, eight hours, and the climbing comes when you are already tired. The source stage page flags a 200 m stretch on Via Ponte Nuovo at about km 3, a narrow and heavily trafficked road, where you should keep in and face the traffic. After Medesano the path is rural and can be overgrown in summer, so carry the GPX. Fornovo is a small town at the foot of the mountains with an easy arrival at the Pieve.
Water and food
Water is marked abundant, and the source stage page confirms fountains in every inhabited centre: Cabriolo, Siccomonte, Costamezzana, Medesano and Felegara. Medesano, about two-thirds of the way, has bars and shops and is the natural lunch stop. The foothill sections between villages are shaded but without services, so carry a full bottle. Fidenza has supermarkets for the start; Fornovo has shops for the evening and for tomorrow's hard climb, which is the last easy resupply before Berceto.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory has no listing yet at Fornovo di Taro. The parish of Santa Maria Assunta runs a pilgrim hostel with seven beds in two rooms, entered from the courtyard of the Pieve on Piazza IV Novembre: overnight only, with bathroom and shower, no kitchen, but breakfast and dinner at the ACLI club in the same courtyard if you give notice; open all year, booked by phone with Mario or Paola. The regional route site lists the Hotel Cavalieri in Fornovo and agriturismi at Sivizzano and Medesano.
Sources: Wikipedia — Fidenza railway station · Wikipedia — Fornovo railway station · Camminando sulla Via Francigena — IT19 Fidenza – Fornovo di Taro · Camminando sulla Via Francigena — Parrocchia Santa Maria Assunta, Fornovo di Taro · Cammini Emilia-Romagna — Fornovo di Taro – Cassio, dove dormire
Common questions
How long is the Fidenza to Fornovo di Taro stage?
It is 32.0 km (19.9 mi) and takes about 8 hours of walking, from Fidenza to Fornovo di Taro.
How hard is Fidenza to Fornovo di Taro?
It is rated moderate with 450 m of ascent and 350 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Fidenza to Fornovo di Taro stage?
Water is abundant along this stage.
How do I get to Fidenza and away from Fornovo di Taro?
Fidenza is a junction on the Milan–Bologna line with branches to Cremona, Salsomaggiore and Fornovo. Fornovo di Taro, at the end, has a station on the Parma–La Spezia (Pontremolese) line and the single-track Fidenza–Fornovo branch, so you can return to Fidenza directly or reach Parma in about twenty minutes; there are three pairs of trains a day on the Fidenza branch, so check times. TEP buses also serve Fornovo.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Fornovo di Taro?
Our directory has no listing yet at Fornovo di Taro. The parish of Santa Maria Assunta runs a pilgrim hostel with seven beds in two rooms, entered from the courtyard of the Pieve on Piazza IV Novembre: overnight only, with bathroom and shower, no kitchen, but breakfast and dinner at the ACLI club in the same courtyard if you give notice; open all year, booked by phone with Mario or Paola. The regional route site lists the Hotel Cavalieri in Fornovo and agriturismi at Sivizzano and Medesano.
Walk this stage
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