Highlights
- Canal de Saint-Quentin towpath
- Somme valley
- Rural Picardy villages
Stage conditions
| Section | France |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Moderate |
| Shade | Partial |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Péronne is reached only by Trans'80 buses from the stations at Amiens, Albert, Cambrai and Saint-Quentin. Tergnier, by contrast, is a railway town: TER Hauts-de-France trains run to Paris-Nord via Chauny (K14), to Compiègne and Amiens (P14), to Laon (P20) and to Saint-Quentin. The LightFoot guide notes that Saint-Quentin, seven kilometres off the route, is a short train ride away if you want a bigger town for the night. The station is close to the town centre.
What the season does
April to October, partial shade. At 30 km the stage data suggests splitting the stage, and the canal towpath makes for fast walking when dry but is exposed to wind along the water. Summer is fine for the shaded valley sections; the towpath itself has stretches with no trees. Hunting from mid-September affects the fields and woods, not the towpath. The Aisne villages are quiet year round, so few seasonal bed pressures, but few beds either.
Safety on this stage
The stage data flags length and few services mid-route. The Canal de Saint-Quentin towpath is flat but unfenced: keep children and tired feet away from the edge, and share it with cyclists. The LightFoot guide describes pleasant off-road sections with short stretches on potentially busy roads, so take care where the route joins D-roads near the villages. Tergnier is a railway and industrial town; ordinary town care.
Water and food
Water is moderate and the stage data notes few services mid-route. Péronne is the place to buy lunch. Along the canal there are locks but no shops for long stretches; the villages in the Somme valley are small. Tergnier has shops, bars and a supermarket, and the campsite has facilities. Carry two litres in summer and do not expect a café until the end.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory lists the Hôtel des Voyageurs, the hotel Le Paon and the Camping de la Frette at Tergnier. The LightFoot guide describes the town as a former railway hub with some unusual accommodation choices, so check what is currently open. There is no pilgrim gîte we could confirm; Saint-Quentin, a short train ride away, has more hotels if Tergnier is full. Ring ahead, as the Confraternity advises for all of France.
Sources: Wikipédia — Gare de Péronne-Flamicourt · Wikipedia — Gare de Tergnier · LightFoot Guide to the Via Francigena, Canterbury to Besançon (PDF, 2014 edition) · Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome — Walking the Via Francigena · Le Montagnard — Calendrier chasse France 2025-2026
Common questions
How long is the Péronne to Tergnier stage?
It is 30.0 km (18.6 mi) and takes about 8 hours of walking, from Péronne to Tergnier.
How hard is Péronne to Tergnier?
It is rated moderate with 140 m of ascent and 150 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Péronne to Tergnier stage?
There is a moderate amount of water along this stage — carry enough between resupply points.
How do I get to Péronne and away from Tergnier?
Péronne is reached only by Trans'80 buses from the stations at Amiens, Albert, Cambrai and Saint-Quentin. Tergnier, by contrast, is a railway town: TER Hauts-de-France trains run to Paris-Nord via Chauny (K14), to Compiègne and Amiens (P14), to Laon (P20) and to Saint-Quentin. The LightFoot guide notes that Saint-Quentin, seven kilometres off the route, is a short train ride away if you want a bigger town for the night.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Tergnier?
Our directory lists the Hôtel des Voyageurs, the hotel Le Paon and the Camping de la Frette at Tergnier. The LightFoot guide describes the town as a former railway hub with some unusual accommodation choices, so check what is currently open. There is no pilgrim gîte we could confirm; Saint-Quentin, a short train ride away, has more hotels if Tergnier is full.
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.