Highlights
- Abbey of Sant'Albino
- Rice fields of the Lomellina
Stage conditions
| Section | Po Valley (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Abundant |
| Shade | Minimal |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Mortara is a rail junction with Trenord trains to Milan, Pavia and Vercelli and Trenitalia to Novara, Alessandria and Casale. The Vercelli–Pavia line shadows the stage, and Garlasco has a station about 500 m from the stage end, with trains to Pavia.
What the season does
Best months are April to June and September to October; the stage data drops July and August and warns the stage is flat and exposed. In spring and autumn it is a pleasant walk through poplar groves and paddies; in summer it is a heat problem, and the source stage pages advise a hat and plenty of water.
Safety on this stage
The source stage pages flag dangerous road crossings at about km 8.2 and km 13.8 entering Tromello, and note that waymarks between Mortara and Tromello are often removed. The rest is farm lanes and canal paths with agricultural traffic, with no shade.
Water and food
Water is marked abundant, but the source stage pages are more cautious: fountains only in the villages, at Remondò, Tromello and Garlasco. Leave Mortara with two litres and refill at Tromello.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory lists the Fondazione Exodus hostel in Garlasco, about 1.5 km from the stage end, and Casa Lucia near Tromello, about 6 km before it. Ring ahead.
Sources: Wikipedia (it) — Stazione di Mortara · Camminando sulla Via Francigena — IT12 Mortara – Garlasco
Common questions
How long is the Mortara to Garlasco stage?
It is 20.2 km (12.6 mi) and takes about 5 hours of walking, from Mortara to Garlasco.
How hard is Mortara to Garlasco?
It is rated easy with 70 m of ascent and 85 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Mortara to Garlasco stage?
Water is abundant along this stage.
How do I get to Mortara and away from Garlasco?
Mortara is a rail junction with Trenord trains to Milan, Pavia and Vercelli and Trenitalia to Novara, Alessandria and Casale. The Vercelli–Pavia line shadows the stage, and Garlasco has a station about 500 m from the stage end, with trains to Pavia.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Garlasco?
Our directory lists the Fondazione Exodus hostel in Garlasco, about 1.5 km from the stage end, and Casa Lucia near Tromello, about 6 km before it. Ring ahead.
Walk this stage
Open the full stage list to plan the legs either side, browse heritage along the route, or get the free Via Francigena Walk app for offline maps and GPS on the trail.