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. Seraucourt-le-Grand has no station; the Montescourt halt is about 5 km away. Saint-Quentin, whose western edge the route passes about 10 km before the end, has a station with regional trains, including to Tergnier.
What the season does
April to October, partial shade. At 42.6 km this is still a long day: 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, with little seasonal pressure on beds.
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.
Water and food
Water is moderate and the stage data notes few services mid-route. Péronne is the place to buy lunch. The Vermandois villages are small, and along the canal there are locks but no shops for long stretches. Saint-Quentin, about 1 km off the route some 10 km before the end, has shops and cafés. Carry two litres in summer.
Where pilgrims sleep
At Seraucourt-le-Grand our directory lists the Camping Le Vivier aux Carpes, beside the stage end, and earlier the Camping des Hortensias, 12 km in. For a room, the hotels we list in Saint-Quentin, among them Le Florence, Le Picardy and the ibis budget, are about 1 km off the route roughly 10 km before the end, which also makes Saint-Quentin a natural place to break this long day. We don't list a pilgrim gîte on this stage yet; ring ahead, as the Confraternity advises for all of France.
Sources: Wikipédia — Gare de Péronne-Flamicourt · 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 Seraucourt-le-Grand stage?
It is 42.6 km (26.5 mi) and takes about 11.5 hours of walking, from Péronne to Seraucourt-le-Grand.
How hard is Péronne to Seraucourt-le-Grand?
It is rated moderate with 227 m of ascent and 205 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Péronne to Seraucourt-le-Grand 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 Seraucourt-le-Grand?
Péronne is reached only by Trans'80 buses from the stations at Amiens, Albert, Cambrai and Saint-Quentin. Seraucourt-le-Grand has no station; the Montescourt halt is about 5 km away. Saint-Quentin, whose western edge the route passes about 10 km before the end, has a station with regional trains, including to Tergnier.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Seraucourt-le-Grand?
At Seraucourt-le-Grand our directory lists the Camping Le Vivier aux Carpes, beside the stage end, and earlier the Camping des Hortensias, 12 km in. For a room, the hotels we list in Saint-Quentin, among them Le Florence, Le Picardy and the ibis budget, are about 1 km off the route roughly 10 km before the end, which also makes Saint-Quentin a natural place to break this long day. We don't list a pilgrim gîte on this stage yet; ring ahead, as the Confraternity advises for all of France.
Walk this stage
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