2023FN CicloVia Francigena Aosta - Fucecchio

CicloViaFrancigena Col du Gd. Saint Bernard/Aosta -Fucecchio
A good description of a bicycle version of the Via Francigena in Italy can be found in the Italian-language "Guida Alla Via Francigena in Bicicletta" by Roberta Ferraris and published by "Terre di Mezzo". This book not only describes the route, but also provides accommodation addresses.
In contrast to the CicloViaFrancigena in France and Switzerland, large areas in Italy are unpaved but still of reasonable quality. As a heavily loaded touring cyclist you won't get into trouble anywhere.
However, there are fewer youth and pilgrim hostels along the route than in France.
From the Alps to the Apennines we cycle through the Po Valley and it is fairly flat. After Costa Mezzana we cross the Apennines and continue cycling through a hilly landscape until Rome.
When you reach Rome, you can get a certificate in the sacristy of St. Peter's. With this certificate, the Plebane of St. Peter's declares that you have completed the pilgrimage to the grave of St. Peter. To obtain this "Testimonium Peregrinationis Peractae ad Limini Petri" you need a "Credenziale del pellegrino della Via Francigena" (pilgrim's pass) that you have stamped along the way at your overnight accommodation.
If you are a member of the Dutch association of pilgrims to Rome, you can order a pilgrim pass on their website. URL:"https://pelgrimswegen.nl/vereniging/winkel-voor-onze-leden/"
You can also buy a credential at the site of the "Fédération Française de la Via Francigena", URL: www.ffvf.fr (only French)
or at the main site of the via francigena (IT, EN and FR) URL: https://www.viefrancigene.org/en/pilgrims-credential/ (credential)
https://www.viefrancigene.org/en/accommodations-facilities/ (lodging)

Each stage lists where I spent the night. I use the following abbreviations:
AM Public hostel
AP Private hostel
AR Religious hostel (e.g. parish or monastery)
AJ Youth Hostel

Stages
Day 1 Aosta - Cascinette d'Ivrea 87.8 km - Ascent 719 m
B&B In Famiglia

Day 2 Cascinette - Castello d'Agogna 89.7 km - Ascent 307 m
Hotel Locanda La Castellana

Day 3 Castello - Orio Litta 101.0 km - Ascent 213 m
AM Ostello Grangia Benedettina

Day 4 Orio Litta - Costa Mezzana 93.0 km - Ascent 359 m
AP La Famiglia del Pellegrino

Day 5 Costa Mezzana - Pontremoli 83.3 km - Ascent 1546 m
AR Ospidale San Lorenzo Martire
Crossing the Apennines.
The Passo della Cisa (1045 m) is comparable in height to the climb from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles, but is still significantly more difficult because we reach an intermediate summit twice, which is followed by a descent. Only the third summit is the pass.
Take plenty of drinks with you because there are few places along the way where you can get water.

Day 6 Pontremoli - Capezzano Pianore 103.6 km - Ascent 1291 m
AP Casa La Nuova Selvaiana
Today we continue to cycle through the Apennines. We have several climbs, although not as high as the Passo Della Cisa. A stage of more than 100 km in this landscape is very long for a 75-year-old cyclist.

Day 7 Capezzano - Ponte a Cappiano 69.5 km - Ascent 597 m
AP Ostello Il Ponte de' Medici

Three kilometers after Ponte A Cappiano we arrive in Fucecchio. Here we leave the Ciclovia Fancigena and cycle to Firenze, where we continue on the Ciclovia Francesca.