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Via Francigena

Cycling the Via Francigena

In the summer of 2022, my husband and I cycled from Aosta to Crete for our honeymoon. The first leg of our trip was the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage that starts in Canterbury and ends in Rome (although walkers can continue to Brindisi).

We joined the route in Aosta and followed it all the way to the Eternal City. The journey took us through the Aosta valley, across Piedmont’s rice fields and along the Po River in Lombardy. Then we entered the green pastures of Emilia-Romagna, cycled up and over the Cisa Pass and into the rolling hills of Tuscany. After a three-night stop in Siena to enjoy the palio festivities, we continued through the Val d’Orica, with its medieval hilltop towns and rows of cypress trees. Eventually we reached Lazio in the midst of a heatwave, arriving in Rome after 13 days of touring.

Read on for a day-to-day trip report. But first, some frequently asked questions…

What is the Via Francigena?

The Via Francigena is a pilgrimage route that starts in Canterbury, UK, and ends in Rome, Italy. However, walkers can actually continue to Brindisi, which is traditionally where pilgrims would set sail to Jerusalem. For cycling pilgrims, there is a bike route from Jougne to the Great Saint Bernard Pass in Switzerland, then from the Great Saint Bernard Pass to Rome in Italy.

Should I take the bike route or the walking route?

There are two routes on the Via Francigena: the hiking route and the cycling route. They follow roughly the same direction, and each stage starts and ends in the same destination. Otherwise, they are very different beasts. You would need a mountain bike to pedal along the hiking route, and even then, I’ve heard that you would need to carry your bike for certain stretches. The bike route is, obviously, designed for cycling.

Tuscany, Via Francigena
Cycling under the Tuscan sun

Is the bike route on-road or off-road?

Both. The creators of the Via Francigena bike route have clearly tried to make use of cycle paths and quiet country tracks where available. That being said, there is still a lot of road cycling, which occasionally involves busy cities or state roads. It’s important to be confident cycling in traffic, especially as Italian drivers are not the most forgiving.

Cycling the Via Francigena
It’s not all paved roads on the Via Francigena

What kind of bike do you need?

The Via Francigena bike route has every type of terrain imaginable: cycle paths, forest trails, busy state roads, farmers tracks and everything in between. At times you’ll want a mountain bike, and at times you’ll want a road bike. With this in mind, my conclusion is that you’re best off with a gravel bike. A mountain bike would be way too slow, as there are long sections of smooth asphalt. An all-out road bike would be a little delicate, and you’d likely have to push through some of the rougher stuff. We took a sports hybrid and a gravel bike. Both stood up to the test.

Via Francigena
Cycling through corn fields

Can you take an e-bike?

Yes! We met a Kiwi couple who were cycling from Aosta to Rome along the Via Francigena on e-bikes. They hired hardtail e-bikes in Rome, then rented a car and drove to their starting point in Aosta. They were taking it very slowly, only doing around 50km a day, which meant they didn’t need to worry about running out of battery.

Is the Via Francigena bike route signposted?

The Via Francigena is signposted, although the signs are not always obvious/frequent until you reach Tuscany. The bike route is marked with blue and white stickers, whereas the hiking route is red and white.

Via Francigena signpost
Follow the blue and white stickers for the bike route

How do you navigate along the Via Francigena bike route?

Download the Via Francigena app. Open the app and select routes, then scroll down to the bottom and select 04B-from the Great Saint Bernard Pass to Rome by bike (or 3B cycling in Switzerland if you intend to start in Switzerland). You will see that the entire route is broken down into stages. Each leg has its own map which you can expand and use offline. Each leg also has a description, although the English translation is a little hit and miss.

Is the Via Francigena bike route hard?

Obviously, this question is subjective. The app categorises each leg as easy, medium or very challenging. The very challenging sections are usually hilly – and hills there most certainly are, particularly in Tuscany. However, even the easy or medium sections can present difficulties. Some of the flat areas are very windy, while others follow sandy tracks that make for slow progress. There is also the odd bit of technical riding. The day-to-day trip report below gives you a better idea of what each section involves.

Via Francigena
Eyeing up the Chianti hills in Tuscany

Is there accommodation along the Via Francigena bike route?

The app shows accommodation along the route, although we discovered that some places had permanently closed due to Covid. The app often provides a phone number or email address, so you can contact your preferred destination in advance to check availability. Be warned that very few people speak English.

The accommodation listed on the app consists of ospitales, ostellos and private accommodation.

The ospitales are geared towards pilgrims. They are often by donation or have a set price of around €15 per person, per night. Sometimes this includes dinner and/or breakfast. You must have a pilgrim passport or ‘credential’ to use these facilities. The ospitales we stayed in were very clean and had dormitory style accommodation. It helps to have your own sleeping bag/sleeping bag liner.

The ostellos we found to be a mixed bag – some were for pilgrims and required a pilgrim passport. Others were not.

The facilities at both the ospitales and the ostellos were varied. Some had laundry, some had a small kitchen, some provided dinner, and some provided just a bed and bathroom facilities.

You can also arrange your own accommodation through platforms such as booking.com and AirBnB.

Do you need to book accommodation in advance?

We never booked our accommodation in advance, but rather opted for the ‘turn up and hope for the best’ approach. We were lucky that this almost always proved fruitful, but occasionally we did have to resort to plan B (or sometimes plan C), which meant more cycling than originally intended.

Really, it’s advised that you contact your preferred accommodation in advance because the custodians do not always live on-site. We also took to arriving earlier, rather than later, to make sure we bagged a spot.

One word of warning: we got turned away from the ospitale in San Gimignano because the custodian said they didn’t take cyclists. He instead walked us to a working convent, which turned out to be the most expensive place we stayed at €30 per person, per night. We didn’t get discriminated against for being cyclists anywhere else though!

Via Francigena
That time we stayed in a convent

Is there camping along the Via Francigena bike route?

We expected to do a lot more camping than we actually did. In fact, we only camped in Lucca and Siena. There were precious few campgrounds along the way, and we didn’t really want to deviate miles from the route in order to find one.

Wild camping is illegal in Italy. We thought we might still pitch up in a farmer’s field every now and then, but ultimately decided against it. You are never far from a road or a house. Also, the desire for a shower at the end of each day was too much to bear!

Where can I get a pilgrim passport or credential?

You can buy a pilgrim passport in advance of your trip on the Via Francigena website, but you’ll have to pay shipping. To avoid this, you can pick up a credential at one of the distribution points listed on the website. We got ours at the Aosta tourism information centre.

Via Francigena
Clutching my pilgrim passport

How long does it take?

It took us 13 days to cycle from Aosta to Rome along the Via Francigena bike route. This included a three-night stop in Siena to enjoy the Palio festivities.

What’s the best bit?

We got asked this question so many times, but honestly, it’s hard to say. Every day was so varied and interesting. For me, the best bit was probably the food, closely followed by the pretty towns and quaint villages we rode through – there are so many it would be hard to list them all. However, if you just want to do a section of the route, I’d say my favourite parts were between San Gimignano and Radicofani.

Via Francigena
Cycling through the beautiful Val d’Orica

Trip report

Day 1 – Aosta to Verres

  • Distance: 49.5km
  • Accommodation: Ostello della Gioventu “il casello”

We blagged a lift with my mum who was driving her van from the UK to Italy. She dropped us off in Aosta. I would have loved to start from the Great Saint Bernard Pass so we could say we’d done the entire Via Francigena in Italy – but we weren’t far off!

Our first task was to find the tourist information centre to pick up our pilgrim passports. We initially went to the administration office near the bus station, but were told we actually needed the tourist information centre in Piazza Porta Pretoria. We spent ages trying to find it, which didn’t bode very well for the next 30 days to come.

After that little hiccup it was finally time to hit the road, excitement and anxiety squirming in my stomach. We rode to the south of Aosta, over the train tracks and found the Via Francigena – not that you’d know it! There were no Via Francigena signs, although it is clearly a cycle path. The route follows the banks of the river, occasionally crossing back and forth over bridges. It’s an easy pedal, and had it not been for the stiff wind whipping up the valley our progress would have been much faster.

We then encountered the first of several path closures. The re-routes would have added a significant amount of time to our journey, and we had already set off much later than intended. So we decided to ignore the closures where possible and break through the barriers instead. The workmen weren’t too happy about it, but it saved us a lot of hassle.

This stage is classed a ‘very challenging’ and I was wondering why, as the cycle path was very flat and easy-going, aside from the windy conditions. However, we soon faced a couple of very steep hills that worked their way up the side of the valley. These hills were interspersed with terraces, providing a great vantage point across the rooftops and down to the river below.

Via Francigena
Cycling along the terraces between Aosta and Verres

We arrived in Verres later that evening. The strong wind had made the going very tough and we’d also had a bit of rain, all in all suggesting that a storm might be imminent.

We got a room at the Ostello della Gioventu “il casello”, which is the first accommodation you reach if arriving by the bike route. The ostello is by the train tracks and you have to call the buzzer on the locked gate to be let in. The staff were lovely and allowed us to store our bikes inside. But honestly, the place has a slightly creepy vibe! It was also quite expensive at €55 for a double room and breakfast. We were too late for dinner, so walked into town for a pizza.

Day 2 – Verres to Vercelli

  • Distance: 94km
  • Accommodation: Hospitale Sancti Eusebi

This was our first full day and I was interested to see how my legs would stand up to the test, having never cycled more than around 50km in one go before. We got an early start, although of course had to stop at the café near the ostello for supplies. The pistachio croissant comes highly recommended.

The route starts on tarmac roads. We had just got going when the storm that had been threatening finally broke. We were treated to a long day of rain, thunder and lightning, although thankfully the air temperature was warm enough.

Bard Fortress on the Via Francigena
Cycling through Bard on the Via Francigena

We passed through Bard, with its imposing fortress looming over the valley. The terrain got a little bit more technical, with some short, steep ascents and descents. The route really keeps things interesting, sometimes following roads, sometimes gravel paths, and sometimes farmers’ fields, often with all three featured within the space of 30 minutes. We became increasingly accustomed to spotting the blue and white Via Francigena bike route signs, but they were by no means obvious. Sometimes they’d be hidden or located past the turning we wanted to go down. It became apparent that we’d have to rely on the app to navigate.

Via Francigena
Soggy riding along puddle-strewn paths

We stopped in Ivrea for hot drinks, by now thoroughly drenched and feeling the cold. We continued on towards Viverone, where we could see the lake below us. It looked like a big diversion to reach the lakeshore, and we weren’t exactly gasping for a swim, what with being drenched to the bone and all. So, we carried on to the end of the stage in Roppolo.

Viverone Lake on the Via Francigena
Viverone Lake in the distance

The stage between Roppolo and Vercelli is dominated by flat gravel tracks passing through rice fields. There’s a lot of birdlife, but otherwise it’s a long and very bumpy ride. And I mean seriously bumpy, so much so that my bottle cage rattled loose.

Via Francigena
The rice fields – flat and very lumpy!

We stopped at Decathlon outside Vercelli for a few supplies before making our way to Hospitale Sancti Eusebi, which is by donation and includes breakfast and dinner. This was hands down the best accommodation we stayed in along the Via Francigena. The hosts were incredibly welcoming, and we managed to get a dormitory room all to ourselves. They also let us store out bikes inside.

After a few beers in the beautiful town square, we returned to the ospitale and joined the other pilgrims for a slap-up dinner cooked by a genuine Italian Mama. On the menu was courgette and asparagus risotto, lemon and tomato salad, frittata and a bread cake. Breakfast the following morning was equally as lavish.

I was pleased to find that my body was thus far standing up to the test. Tom, however, was suffering from saddle sore, probably not helped by the copious amounts of rain we’d encountered. Trying to explain the problem to an Italian pharmacist proved especially funny, but we were soon armed with enough chamois cream to see us through to the end.

Day 3 – Vercelli to Spessa al Po

  • Distance: Approx 100km*
  • Accommodation: Ostello Artemista

After a hearty breakfast we cycled out of Vercelli, soon turning off the main road and onto yet more gravel tracks. We made good progress in the morning until cycling through the village of Palestro, where a man drove after us and stopped us in a frenzy. We’re not sure to this day what he was saying, but he seemed concerned about ‘mucho traffico’ and insisted we follow him. So we did. He led us to a corn field and was adamant that we push our bikes along the narrow dirt track. Tom stood on a live adder and my legs got scratched to pieces. We fought our way through the crops and quickly made a bee-line for the nearest road to Robbio!

Subsequently the route features a lot of sandy tracks, which are incredibly difficult to pedal along. We had a coffee in Mortara and picked up a €1 pizza as a snack – you’ve got to love Italy! Then we joined the next leg, making our way to Pavia, occasionally following the river. At one point we were both ogling at a riverside café when we cycled into each other, causing me to fall off. This turned out to be the only ‘crash’ of the trip, thank goodness.

We ducked into Pavia town centre for a much needed can of something cold and sugary. The route became easier in the afternoon, although we did have to manoeuvre over an abandoned pipe that had been left to flood an agricultural field. But in the main, the roads to Spessa al Po were fast and quiet, with lots of sunflower fields.

Via Francigena
Navigating the agricultural fields on the Via Francigena
Via Francigena
Sunflower fields on the Via Francigena

We got a room at Ostello Artemista, which is a hostel and cultural centre. This was the only place that didn’t ask to see our pilgrim passports (aside from the campsites), suggesting that it’s not exclusively used by pilgrims. The ostello itself is a group of beautiful red brick buildings. We locked our bikes in an old barn, but I doubt there’s much crime round these parts.

Accommodation on the Via Francigena
Ostello Artemista on the Via Francigena

By now we had realised that every single village in Italy contains a church, a pharmacy and a bar (the Holy Trinity). So it was that we made our way to the only bar in town, where we sat amongst a group of local men who seemed to be shouting at each other, but were probably just having a good old chat (Italian style, with raised voices and hand gestures).

Spessa al Po is a quiet, peaceful village with no eateries, and we didn’t have any food with us. Thankfully, we could order a takeaway pizza to the ostello, which Tom managed to achieve with broken Italian.

The terrain had been pretty much flat until now, but hills were clearly visible in the distance.

Day 4 – Spessa al Po to Medesano

  • Distance: approx. 100km*
  • Accommodation:

After what can only be described as a disappointing breakfast at the ostello, we followed the Ciclo al Po to Piacenza. This is a cycle path that follows the banks of the River Po and lends itself to some speedy kms. And speed is what we needed, as we were desperate to get to a bike shop in Piacenza before they closed for lunch (as is customary in Italy).

We stopped at Gaga Bike shop and received a 5* service. After 45 minutes, Tom had a new bottom bracket, I had new grips, and we were back on the road. After leaving Piacenza we joined onto quiet country roads, but my god was it ever windy. This was the first real test for me, as it was a struggle to keep going, both physically as well as mentally.

I bought some fruit along the way and was gifted four free bananas by the shopkeeper, which later proved to be absolutely crucial. We finished the stage in Fiorenzuo d’Arda and not a moment too soon, as I was gasping for an intake of calories. Lunch was yet another pizza – luckily, it’s not something I’ll ever get bored of eating.

Via Francigena
Another day, another pizza

Refuelled, we pedalled to Fidenza, where I was keen to stop for the day, feeling well and truly beaten by the wind. However, there were no accommodation options, so onwards we pushed. By now we had passed into Emila-Romagna, which was obvious from the change in landscape. Flat rice paddies and corn fields had given way to rolling green pastures, hay bales and hilltop villages.

Via Francigena
The rolling pastures of Emilia-Romagna

Our intended destination was Costa Mezzane. We rang on the ostello buzzer, only for a man to pop his head out from an upper story window and shout ‘no’ at us. Great. We explored a few other options in the area to no avail, including one we think is a modern-day convent. It looked more like a terrifying gated boarding school, so chose to give it a miss.

Eventually, we arrived at the ostello in Medesano, which is on the top floor of a children’s youth centre. It was locked but Tom called the number on the door and waited for the host to arrive. He was incredibly warm-hearted, but told us that we were lucky, as he could easily have been away. He said that’s we should always call ahead. In any event, we paid €15 each, which got us a bed with a bottom sheet, a shower, a small kitchen and laundry facilities for an extra €3. We were allowed to store our bikes downstairs in the youth centre.

We were the only ones there, so decided to have a night in. We’d picked up some pasta and pesto which I cooked in the dinky little kitchen while Tom popped out and sourced some beers. It had been a long and difficult day with the wind, and it was a relief to stay somewhere clean and comfortable. The only issue was the ostello’s location right next to the church, which meant a long night of being woken up by the church bell every half an hour.

Day 5 – Medesano to Aulla

  • Distance: approx. 100km*
  • Accommodation: Abbazia di San Caprasio

Today was the day we tackled the Cisa Pass, a mountain pass that sits between the Ligurian and Tuscan Appenines. Not that we realised what was to come until we were in the thick of it!

But first, we cycled along fast roads to Fornovo di Taro where we stocked up on supplies. We asked the lady in the salumeria to make us a sandwich, and picked up a few croissants for breakfast. Soon after Fornovo we began pedalling uphill – and we didn’t stop for quite some time. The gradient to begin with is incredibly steep, so much so that we had to zig zag the bikes back and forth across the road or we’d have gone backwards. There we stumbled upon Maxim, a French guy we’d met at the ostello in Verres who was also cycling the Via Francigena. He’d broken a spoke so Tom gave him a zip tie to keep him going.

Via Francigena
The start of a long day of climbing

Up and up we continued, frequently being overtaken by large groups of motorcyclists who had come to ride the pass. It was certainly ‘very challenging’, as the app suggests, with the one consolation being the gorgeous views across the countryside. Finally, we enjoyed a long free-wheel down to the pretty town of Berceto. We ate our sandwiches and had a cup of tea at a café, where we were joined by two other cycling pilgrims – a lovely Kiwi couple from New Zealand. They explained, to my horror, that we hadn’t actually done the Cisa Pass yet – that was just over the horizon.

Via Francigena
Enjoying the views

Feeling a little afraid, we filled our water bottles from the fountain in the town square, which turned out to be sparkling water (honestly, these Italians!) We then had to retrace our steps out of Berceto, which of course, was up a bloomin’ great big hill. There followed yet more climbing until we once and for all reached a sign confirming that we were at the Passo della Cissa, with an altitude of 1,041m. What goes up must come down, as they say, and down we went for what felt like an age. So, that was the Cisa Pass done and dusted.

The Cisa Pass on the Via Francigena
The Cisa Pass

We continued on our way to Aulla, where we still encountered a few hills, but all very tame in comparison to the previous exertions of the day. We passed through some pretty villages and towns, with Pontremoli in particular stealing our hearts. There is a cobbled section over a bridge that we had to walk, and we spent five minutes deliberating whether we should jump in the river below for a swim. In the end we decided to press on to Aulla.

Pontremoli on the Via Francigena
Pontremoli on the Via Francigena

By the time we reached Aulla, I too was suffering from saddle sore. Thankfully, we had just a short stretch of cycle path until we got to the end of the stage. Initially, we couldn’t find the ospitale, but knew we were in the right vicinity from the app. It was then that I spied a priest who led me in the right direction (literally, not spiritually). Turns out you have to check in at the museum first, where (as per usual) they photocopy your ID documents and stamp your pilgrim passport. We were asked for €15 each and shown where to lock our bikes up. Then we were led to another building and given beds in a shared dorm.

Aulla on the Via Francigena
Riding into Aulla

This was our first time sharing with others, and ear plugs would have been useful, especially as the hikers tend to get up at 4am to start their day. And, as would become a theme of our trip, the accommodation was right next to a church bell – which duly rang all through the night.

Maxim found us later at the ospitale, spoke now fixed. We all headed out for some beers and dinner. He expressed some surprise that I was managing so well on a sports hybrid. It’s true that I was supposed to be using a gravel bike, but an issue with the airline meant it didn’t arrive in time. I certainly missed my gravel bike today, as it was all roads. But still, it just goes to show that you don’t need a fancy bike to complete these challenges.

Day 6 – Aulla to Lucca

  • Distance: 108km
  • Accommodation: Il Serchio campground

We grabbed some breakfast at Bar Sport in Aulla, which does pilgrim prices. Then we were straight into a steep climb out of Aulla. It’s a challenging ascent, but the road was quiet and shady, and the views extend across the tree-covered hills that dominate the landscape.

Via Francigena
Climbing out of Aulla

The app offers a word of warning that the ‘rise to Ponzanello is quite demanding’ and those unprepared for the ascent should take the train. It is demanding, but it’s not exactly a mountain stage on the Tour de France. I find you just have to keep plodding at your own pace. However, the number of men in Lycra had suddenly increased, indicating that this is most definitely a hotspot for cyclists wanting to torture themselves on the steep stuff.

We ‘topped out’ and could see the sea, after which there was a long descent. From Sarzana the route becomes more urban and is tantalisingly close to the ocean. There was another ridiculously steep but short climb before Massa. Being a Sunday, there was very little open. We had a bit of pizza left over, but that wasn’t enough to satisfy our hungry bellies. Thankfully we found what appeared to be the only place open in Massa, where we stocked up on treats and grabbed a few bits from their deli section for dinner, just in case.

Via Francigena
Sea views from the top of the hill

After throwing back several budini di risos, we started the next stage to Lucca. One more big climb awaited us, this time on a busier road. The gradient was manageable, so I got into a gentle rhythm and slowly made my way to the top. There was a long descent the follow, which finished Tom’s brake pads off completely. He’d been struggling to find any spares since we arrived and all the shops were shut, as is customary on a Sunday in Italy. So, he had no choice but to use his feet to control his speed. Watching him whizz down a huge hill with his shoe pressed up against the front wheel was terrifying to say the least. He survived, but the same can’t be said of his shoe.

Via Francigena
Oops

We rode into Lucca along the Serchio River, where the locals were out in force, having BBQs on the banks and playing in the water. It was a warm day – the hottest so far on our trip – and we were keen to join them. But we’d been calling the ospitale in Lucca all day without answer, so were concerned about finding a bed for the night.

We cycled along the city ramparts into town to the Pellegrinaio San Davino, but found it to be shut. It had closed during Covid and never reopened. We therefore retraced our steps and returned to the campsite near the river, which charged €25 for two people and a tent. The shower block was dirty and seemed to have a ‘bring your own toilet paper’ policy, and the camping area was a bit overgrown. But it had a lovely swimming pool and very cold beers available to purchase at reception, both of which were bliss after such a long day. The food we’d picked up from the deli proved essential, and we cooked up a dinner of pasta, pesto, mozzarella and anchovies. That turned out to be the only time we’d use the camping stove!

It had been a long day at over 100km, with a lot of climbing to boot. We patted ourselves on the back for a successful day, now just with two concerns in our minds: firstly, to get some new brake pads for Tom; and secondly, to work out why I had started to suffer from tendonitis in both Achilles.

Day 7 – Lucca to San Gimignano

  • Distance: 89km
  • Accommodation: Monastery of San Girolamo

The toughest day so far. The temperature had ramped up to 40°c, and there was a lot of road cycling to be had. The heat radiated off the asphalt, and even the wind was hot, making it feel like an oven.

Luuca on the Via Francigena
Yummy breakfast in Lucca

At least we had made an early start (after an excellent breakfast in Lucca), and made quick progress to Fucecchio where Tom was able to replace his brake pads at a bike shop. We then slogged our way up a hill to San Miniato, a charming historic town where we sourced some mozzarella and focaccia for lunch. Tom says it was the best focaccia of the trip, which is saying something because we ate a lot of it.

The afternoon to San Gimignano was full of relentless, rolling hills – this is Tuscany, after all. But the heat by now had become unbearable, so much so that we actually took refuge in an air-conditioned service station for a while. Tom’s inner tube even exploded during one hill climb, necessitating a very sweaty pit stop. To make matters worse, the route to that point hadn’t been particularly inspiring, and the tendonitis in my Achilles’ heels was nearly unbearable.

Via Francigena
San Gimignano in the distance

Things took an upward turn later in the day, particularly once we could see the towers of San Gimignano standing tall in the distance. Now it was beginning to look a little more like the picture-postcard Tuscany we all know and love. One last hill brought us to the heart of the old town. Tom found the Ospitale dei Santi Agostino e Giacomo, but received a hostile reception. The host said they didn’t accept cyclists – even if they were cycling pilgrims – and turned him away. It was the first and only time this happened to us, and it was a real blow after what had been a seriously challenging day. At times I’d really wondered whether I was able to go on. All I wanted was to wash the slick layer of salt off my skin and have a lie down.

The host of the ospitale walked Tom out, and I suspect he had a slight pang of guilt upon seeing me looking totally desperate and bedraggled. So he said he’d walk us to another pilgrim accommodation – a monastery nearby. He rang ahead and warned them we were on our way. However, on arrival the nun didn’t seem too happy to see us. There followed a long period of negotiations between said nun and the unwelcoming ospitale host, with us looking dumbly on, unable to understand a word of what was being said.

Eventually the nun handed us a key and told us to lock up our bikes over the road in the walled garden. We then returned to check in, where she asked for €30 each plus a €1 tourist tax. This seemed quite a lot of money to sleep in a working convent, but we were in too deep by that point, and the desire to just get some accommodation sorted was too great. We stumped up the cash and I explained in broken French that we’d recently got married, which seemed to break the ice between us.

We were shown to a large en-suite dormitory which we had to ourselves. To be fair to these nuns, the views across the Tuscan landscape were stunning – particularly while sitting on the lavatory! Tom did a good deed by fixing the toilet in the neighbouring dorm, after which we went out to explore the medieval town. It had been a really hard day for me, but San Gimignano was the reward, with the delicious porcini mushroom pasta I had for dinner being the cherry on top.

Views from our dormitory in San Gimignano

Day 8 – San Gimignano to Siena

  • Distance: 49km
  • Accommodation: Camping Colleverde

We had a short day today because we’d planned to meet up with my mum in Siena for three nights. We rose early to beat the heat, having been traumatised by the previous day’s sauna-like conditions. But in fact, the temperature was much cooler and it even rained in the afternoon.

Leaving Siena in the beautiful morning light was a real treat. There was a warm, golden glow across the Tuscan landscape, which was rife with vineyards and cypress trees. There were hills all day, with a mixture of road cycling, bike paths and gravel tracks.

San Gimignano on the Via Francigena
San Gimignano in the morning light

A walled town came into view, which I excitedly thought was Siena, but it transpired to be Monteriggioni. We approached the town via dirt tracks and forest trails before joining onto the main road once again.

Via Francigena
Monteriggioni in the distance

We pushed on to San Martino, arriving in Siena at 10.30am. There’s said to be a lovely ospitale in Siena, but we had a pitch pre-booked at the campground.

We spent the rest of the day catching up with my mum, drinking tea and sorting through our gear. After eight days on the road, we’d discovered what we did and did not need, so offloaded a few things into my mum’s van. My body was feeling fatigued and my Achilles’ tendons were incredibly sore, so much so that I couldn’t really walk properly. We suspected the cause was the saddle being too high. I hoped I’d be on the mend after two days’ rest and an adjusted seat position.

Days 9 to 10 – Siena

  • Distance: 0km
  • Accommodation: Camping Colleverde

The next two days we spent enjoying the palio festivities. The palio is a horse race that takes place twice a year in Siena’s historic square. It’s a real spectacle, and I thoroughly recommend getting a guided tour in advance to learn more about both the race and the city. It’s absolutely fascinating, but it would be very difficult to understand the ins and outs without an insider’s perspective.

In my opinion, Siena is a must-see destination at any time of year. But the buzz of the palio really brings it alive. The atmosphere was electric, with all the contradas decorated in their flags, and all the locals out in force wearing the scarf of their district. We watched the horse ballot from a third storey window overlooking the square. Each contrada would invade the arena one by one like an army, singing at the top of their lungs and waving their arms. They would leave the same way, this time led by their horse, as though they were preparing for battle.

Siena on the Via Francigena
Watching the horse ballot

We weren’t able to stay for the actual race, as we had to be in Rome by a certain date. However, we did witness a practice race, which provides a flavour of the real thing. The square was packed out, and we arrived early to secure a good spot by the start and finish line. There was a long wait while each contrada marched in. Then we were treated to one lap from the cavalry band. At last, the jockeys and their steeds arrived adorned in traditional dress…and trainers, which seems a bit anachronistic! There was a false start, after which they were of. In the end, it wasn’t much of a race. Some of the riders weren’t really trying, presumably to save their horse for the real deal. Even so, it was great to see, and to experience all the excitement, the sense of community and the age-old traditions.

Day 11 – Siena to Radicofani

  • Distance: 89km
  • Accommodation: Osptiale dei Santi Pietro e Giacomo

We left the campsite at 6am as Europe was by now in the grips of a heatwave. The scenery was 10/10 from the word go. We left Siena on tarmac roads, with the city skyline outlined behind us.

Via Francigena
Riding out of Siena

Soon we turned onto gravel roads, and were encompassed by golden wheat fields, sunflowers and rows of cypress trees. The pretty town of San Querico was our first stop, where we picked up some supplies from the panifico (bakery) and sat down at a local’s café for yet more treats.

San Querico on the Via Francigena
Riding into San Querico

After leaving San Querico we passed through the Val d’Orica, a UNESCO world heritage site. This is the Tuscany that everyone dreams about: beautiful countryside peppered by sleepy, medieval villages. We stopped in Contignano to eat lunch, arriving just in time to buy a can of soda from the village shop before it closed for lunch. Other than the shopkeeper, we didn’t see a single soul.

I had been eyeing up a hilltop fortress in the distance, which was sat atop a distinctively shaped lump of rock. It dominates the landscape for miles, and as it turns out, that was our destination. The app warns that there is a ‘very steep slope on unpaved road’ during this leg. This caused me some anxiety, but it’s a downhill slope and it’s perfectly manageable if you have good brakes and a bit of bike confidence.

Via Francigena
Radicofani is visible from miles away

There were more asphalt roads in the afternoon. A long hill brought us to Radicofani, which sits at an altitude of 814m. We bagged a couple of beds at the ospitale, which was by donation. The accommodation is small but perfectly formed, with two dormitories and a bathroom. We were lucky to arrive early, as it was full by about 5pm. There isn’t anywhere to store bikes, but they seemed safe outside round the side of the church.

After a shower, we set off to explore the village – and what a gem it is! The streets are lined with pretty brick buildings, all adorned with gorgeous floral displays, as though everyone here is a budding gardener. We walked up to the fortress where the Italian Robin Hood supposedly lived and had a mooch around. The views from the top are second to none, stretching right across the valley.

Radicofani fortress on the Via Francigena
Views from the fortress at Radicofani

Then we returned to the village for a few beers, the first of which we purchased from a deli in the old Jewish quarter.

Radicofani on the Via Francigena
The Jewish quarter in Radicofani

We weren’t too sure what we were going to do about dinner, until we bumped into some fellow pilgrims who told us that the ospitale hosts were cooking. This was a relief! It once again emphasised how rubbish our language skills are, as we hadn’t understood anything we’d been told when we checked in.

When we returned, the hosts asked to wash our feet, it being a nod to Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. We all lined up while they recounted a verse to each of us, after which they poured some water over one foot and ‘kissed it’. Thank goodness we’d showered.

Dinner was pasta, salad and fruit. The ospitale was full, and the other pilgrims knew each other, having been walking together in the same direction for many days. It was then that we calculated that one day’s cycling amounted to about five days of walking. Hat’s off to them! We hit the hay early, and I was so tired that the disco blaring outside in the square didn’t cause too much annoyance.

Day 12 – Radicofani to Viterbo

  • Distance: 88km
  • Accommodation: Ospitale del Pellegrino

We ate breakfast at the ospitale, again provided by the hosts, after which we got on the road early. It promised to be another scorcher, although the long descent out of Radicofani was almost chilly at that hour of the morning. It was fun to see the fortress behind us get further and further away. Before long, we passed into Lazio, the final region of the Via Francigena.

Lazio on the Via Francigena
Entering Lazio

It was fairly plain sailing, despite the ever-present hills – Italians do love to build their communes on top of hills! Once Bolsena Lake came into view I started to get frustrated, as it felt so very close, but we seemed to take an age to get there, going up and down through endless olive groves.

Bolsena on the Via Francigena
Riding through olive groves towards Bolsena

We rode into Bolsena old town for coffee amongst the quaint cobbled streets, after which we dropped down to the lake for a refreshing swim.

Bolsena on the Via Francigena
Bolsena on the Via Francigena
Bolsena Lake on the Via Francigena
Bolsena Lake

The next leg was, quite frankly, miserable. The route follows a busy state road out of Bolsena, which heads uphill all the way to Montefiascone. This might be an opportune moment to mention that Italian drivers are not the most courteous to cyclists. It was hot, I was rattled and then a car pulled out in front of me at a T-junction. I gave him what-for – it was in English, but I think he got the gist!

The saving grace of this horrible climb is the view from the top of Montefiascone. After a rest in the shade, we dropped downwards, after which the route veers off the main road. That’s when things got interesting once again. We encountered some rough terrain that you’d really need a mountain bike to enjoy. Then we joined an old Roman road. Large stones are slotted together in a Tetris-style jumble, making it lumpy to ride along. So lumpy, in fact, that Tom broke a spoke.

Roman roads on the Via Francigena
Roman roads don’t make for smooth riding

We popped out in the outskirts of Viterbo, which don’t look like much. However, the historic centre is beautiful, with medieval architecture round every corner. We found the pilgrim’s accommodation, but had to wait over an hour for the host to show up. There’s a water fountain outside, and I swear it’s the same stuff as the bottled San Pellegrino – it tastes exactly the same, but without the carbonation.

Once the host arrived there was the usual check-in procedure, with passports and pilgrim credentials having to be produced. The ospitale was technically by donation, but there was a set price of €12 each. We were allowed to store our bikes in the art shop next door. Our room had a tiny window, which made for a very sweaty night’s sleep. But then we were alone, rather than sharing with other snoring pilgrims – sometimes it’s a trade-off.

As always, we weren’t really sure if dinner was provided, as I’d heard mention of ‘dolce’. As it turns out, dinner was not included, but the host did leave us breakfast for the morning. We wandered around the old city looking for somewhere to eat. There are so many options to choose from, but eventually settled on La Monestera, an amazing pizza joint that clearly draws the local crowd. Tom’s pizza was so big it came out on two plates!

Two plate pizza

Day 13 – Viterbo to Rome

Tom had fixed his broken spoke at a bike shop in Viterbo the prior evening, so we were all set for an early start. We had to be in Rome by the afternoon due to pre-arranged accommodation, so had no choice but to tackle three stages in one day. They were all categorised as medium on the app, but to begin with it was still very hilly with some steep gradients.

The route was a mix of on-road and off-road. Sometimes we’d be floating along a smooth road through woodland, and other times we’d be rumbling along olive groves or golden wheat fields.

Via Francigena
Smooth roads through the woods

During the second leg we passed by the Monte Gelato waterfalls. It was busy, being a Sunday, and there were even some police cars controlling the traffic. We chose to ride on by, and soon afterwards entered the Veio Regional Park. We spied a good place to have a dunk in the stream and refuel on arancini balls. The pit stop was much needed, as it was now over 40°c.

Via Francigena
Veio Regional Park

Revived by a swim, we carried on and quickly reached Formello. As we were cycling through the park, we had a close encounter will a bull on the loose. It was walking over a narrow wooden bridge, just as Tom was about to swing around a blind corner and collide straight into its horns. Had it not been for a well-time ‘moo’ from the bull, it could have been a much closer encounter. Obviously, I hid between two parked cars for the entire episode.

Via Francigena
Hiding from the free range bull

The last leg of the Via Francigena felt like a net downhill to Rome. Tom buckled his wheel on a drainage ditch, but otherwise the stage passed by without much to report. We were keeping our eyes fixed on the horizon, keen to see the first glimpse of the Eternal City. After two weeks of cycling, it was exciting to reach the finish line (at least, of this section of our journey). In fact, it was a slightly deflating experience. I don’t know what I’d expected, but I hadn’t considered the fact that Rome’s outskirts would be quite so dirty. There was broken glass and litter everywhere. This carried on for miles, as we pedalled up and down hills through increasingly disgusting areas.

Via Francigena
The approach to Rome

We then reached the bus terminal, but couldn’t find the cycle path into the city. We must have gone wrong somewhere, as we had to shimmy under a closed gate that stated ‘private property’ to join onto it. The cycle path is a long and exposed bike/pedestrian lane that eventually reaches the banks of the Tiber River. The scenery changed from fields of horses and equestrian centres, to peddlers selling their wares beside ancient bridges faced with marble. After cycling past the Castel Sant’Angelo, we realised that we had bloody well made it.

Rome on the Via Francigena
Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome

The route officially finishes in St Peter’s Square, so we felt compelled to see it through to the bitter end. We wound our way through the mad streets of Rome and rolled into the Vatican City.

Job done.

St Peter's Square, Vatican City
At the finish line in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City

Other things to be aware of

  • It’s very common for everything to close on a Sunday in Italy. Make sure you have enough food and bike supplies to see you through.
  • Shops also tend to shut in the middle of the day for an extended lunch break. Check opening hours, especially if you are heading for a bike shop.
  • Drinking water is easy to come by. There are frequent water fountains in the towns and villages.
  • Italy runs on a cash economy. It’s often hard to pay by card.
  • Every place we stayed wanted a photocopy of our ID document. We were told this information is sent to the police.
  • Some places also charge a tourist tax.
  • We called on a few bike shops for maintenance and found them all to offer a fantastic service.
  • English is not widely spoken. An Italian phrase book and a translation app both came in very handy.
  • Accommodation is not as widespread as it is on the Camino di Santiago. It is also not as popular. We only met three other cycling pilgrims and we were there during the height of summer.
  • Some restaurants offer pilgrim meals at discounted prices, although we didn’t see this until we reached Tuscany.
Via Francigena
There are lots of water fountains on the route

*Approximate distance as I rarely record rides!

Woman lies in blue hammock next to sea and forest

Bike Touring Mayne Island

While Mayne Island is just 21 square kilometres, it wants for very little. Fresh produce, locally brewed beer, artisan shops and quiet beaches can all be found on this little lump of rock. Combine this with well-paved roads reaching all four corners of the island and you’ve got yourself a wholesome, cyclist-friendly retreat.

Cycling on Mayne Island

There are lots of different types of cyclists. If you’re of the variety that likes to adopt a leisurely pace, snack on roadside berries and stop for a well-earned beer, then Mayne Island is for you. There’s no hard shoulder or bike lanes, and as always, there are hills a-plenty. But even so, this is a cyclist hotspot. During the summer months you’re guaranteed to see people packing panniers. The traffic is respectful and the roads are all rideable.

Woman rides bike loaded with panniers along road
Cyclist friendly roads on Mayne Island

Mayne Island is small enough to cycle around in one day, but it’s also big enough to explore over the course of a long weekend. I was glad to have three days, as I was quickly overcome by the relaxed pace of island life. From May to October, there’s also a calendar of events to keep you entertained. During one August weekend, I stumbled upon the weekly farmer’s market, an outdoor cinema and a live music concert – and I wasn’t even trying to find any of them.

Three-day itinerary

Conveniently, the road system is also circular in nature. This means you can loop around different parts of the island, rather than going back and forth on yourself. On the first day I pottered around the farmer’s market at Miner’s Bay before heading up to Georgina Point Heritage Park and lighthouse. This was followed by a relaxing afternoon on Campbell Bay beach and beers at Mayne Island Brewing Company.

Georgina Bay lighthouse
Georgina Point lighthouse
Campbell Bay on Mayne Island
Campbell Bay

On the second day I stopped for a coffee at the Shavasana café. Once fuelled with caffeine, I made a beeline for Bennett Bay and Campbell Point. Afterwards I cycled to St John Point Regional Park for a stroll amongst the arbutus trees and a nap on the beach. I cycled past the brewery on my way back, so it seemed rude not to stop for a second time.

Arbutus trees on Mayne Island
St John Point Regional Park

On my final day I headed straight to Mount Parke and hiked up to the viewpoint. Once I was back on my bike, I looped around the south of the island, stopping for a swim at Piggot Bay. Then it was a quick cycle back to Village Bay to catch the ferry.

Mount Parke Regional Park on Mayne Island
Mount Parke Regional Park
Piggot Bay

An artisan island

At all times, my progress was slowed by the relentless onslaught of fresh produce. Vast swathes of Mayne Island are given over to farmland, and they seem to be a prolific bunch. You can barely cycle 100m without another farm stand looming on the horizon. Some offer up flowers, others delicious fruit, veg and eggs, others homemade pickles, chutneys and other bounty. Many have even entered the modern era, allowing you to pay by either cash or e-transfer.

Mayne Island Brewery
Be sure to stop in at Mayne Island Brewery

If you time it right then you’ll find the roadside hedgerows to be bursting with blackberries. There aren’t any bears here, so you can pick at will. If you need further supplies, the small community of Miner’s Bay has two grocery stores, a bakery, a few eateries, a café, a post office, a gas station, an ATM and even a library. More quaint stores can be found further along Fernhill Road, including a second-hand book shop.

Camping on Mayne Island

While there’s a variety of holiday rentals on Mayne Island, there is just one campground: the privately owned Mayne Island Camping. Located just above Miner’s Bay, it’s only a 12 minute cycle from the ferry terminal and a short pedal to the grocery store. Private pitches and group camping are available.

Subject to water shortages, the campground has a beautiful shower erected amongst the trees (with privacy screens), drinking water and grey water sinks. However, there are no trash cans or recycling facilities. You either need to pack your rubbish out with you, or pay to drop it off at the island’s recycling centre.

The campground is situated on the water’s edge. It has a little beach and boat launch. If you follow the trail through the forest behind the meadow, you’ll reach another stone beach with beautiful views across the ocean. It’s the ideal place to hang a hammock and kick back with a good book.

Mayne Island

What to do on Mayne Island

  • Visit the farmer’s market, held every Saturday between May long weekend and Thanksgiving, 10am to 1pm, on the grounds of the agricultural hall
  • Stroll around Georgina Point Heritage Park and lighthouse
  • Go for a swim at Campbell Bay beach – there’s a pontoon and the water temperature is manageable!
  • Hike up Mount Parke and enjoy the views. You can make it into a loop by hiking the halliday ridge trail, the old gulch trail and the lowland nature trail
  • Hike into St John Regional Park – my personal favourite
  • Visit Bennett Bay and Campbell Point
  • Take a look around the Japanese gardens
  • Eat your way around the fresh produce stands
  • Sample a flight at Mayne Island Brewery

Cycling to Mayne Island: know before you go

  • Get to Mayne Island via BC Ferries (Tsawwassen/Swartz Bay to Village Bay)
  • Most of the island’s amenities are centred around Miner’s Bay, including two grocery stores
  • Bring cash for the food stands
  • There is one campsite – Mayne Island Campground. It isn’t open year-round and reservations are needed
  • You’ll probably have to take your trash with you or drop it off at the island’s recycling centre
  • Mayne Island Brewing does bottles of beer to go
  • You can pick up a map of the island on the ferry
  • There aren’t many beach access signs – just follow your nose

Bike Touring Saturna Island

If each of the southern Gulf Islands has its own personality, then Saturna would be the brilliant introvert. Often overshadowed by its more popular neighbours of Salt Spring and Galiano, it sits quietly, largely unnoticed by the masses.

Yet take the time to explore this island, which is just 31 square kilometres in size, and you’ll find it has its own hidden virtues. Beautiful hiking trails, spectacular views, quiet bays and onshore whale watching are just some of the reasons that make Saturna one of my favourite summer-time destinations. There’s even a vineyard for goodness sake.

Those looking for bustling farmer’s markets, a choice of restaurants and a calendar chock-full of events will be disappointed. Saturna is a sleepy, rural island. One half sits within the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. The other half is home to just 350 full-time residents.

These characteristics, however, make it prime bike touring territory. The roads are quiet but there are enough hills to make it a challenge. I’ve bikepacked to Saturna on two occasions now, and while I’m adamant about visiting new places, I’d go again.

Bikepacking Saturna Island

Perhaps one explanation for Saturna’s isolated existence is that it’s not easy to reach. Ferries run between Saturna and Swartz Bay (Victoria) and Tsawwassen (Vancouver), but passengers typically have to transfer at Mayne or Pender. It’s also possible to get to Saturna from the other southern Gulf Islands, as I recently did after bike touring on Galiano Island.

In terms of accommodation, the island has a range of cottage rentals and B&Bs. For those wanting to sleep under canvas, there are two options available.

Arbutus Point Campground is conveniently located next to the ferry terminal at Lyall Harbour and, I might add, the pub. There are seven reservable sites, potable water and, in non-Covid times, a shower. It’s a short, sharp ride up to the General Store, which is surprisingly well-stocked and reasonably priced. But its proximity to the ferry, and its compact nature, mean this isn’t the most peaceful of sites.

That’s why my preferred choice is Narvaez Bay campground. A backcountry campsite run by Parks Canada, it’s billed as “one of the most beautiful and undisturbed bays in the southern Gulf Islands”. There are seven reservable sites, along with an overflow area that permits a maximum of three tents. There’s no potable water and you’re a long way from the island’s only grocery store. Given this, it’s best to stock up on all the essential items before pedalling the length of Narvaez Bay Road. During the final approach, the road becomes a little looser with more potholes. When you finally reach the end, there’s a 1km walk (or ride, if your bike’s up to it) to the campsite. There’s also a bike rack, should you want it.

Narvaez Bay campground
Narvaez Bay

What to do on Saturna Island

Regardless of whether you camp at Narvaez Bay, it’s well worth a visit. It’s a gorgeous spot and the hiking trails to Monarch Head and Echo Bay are stunning.

Monarch Head

Another must-see destination is East Point. The ride there is an event in itself. Another cyclist I spoke to said it was the highlight of her trip, and she’d been touring all over the southern Gulf Islands. On a clear day, Mount Baker looms large in the distance. Thanks to the geography of the area, sea life here is abundant. The road runs alongside the shore and it’s common to see harbour porpoises, seals, sea lions and otters as you pedal along.

Once you reach East Point, you’ll find a former fog alarm building perched amongst the grass, which is parched golden during the summer months. Inside you can read the harrowing story of Moby Doll, the first orca to be captured and kept in captivity. Afterwards, take a stroll along the whale trail where you stand a good chance of seeing orcas and humpback whales.

For views, nothing beats those on offer at the top of Mount Warbuton Pike. At around 400m high, reaching the summit is an uphill slog on a bike. The road is steep and fairly rough. Once you reach the end, expansive views open up in front of you, spanning all the way across to the San Juan Islands in the United States. The Brown Ridge trail runs parallel to the edge. It’s a relatively flat hike, and one that will have you reaching for the camera time and time again. Eagles and vultures usually soar overhead, and you may also bump into the wild mountain goats that live here.

Views from Mount Warbuton Pike

Other points of interest include Winter Cove, which has an easy 1.5km loop trail through the forest and along the shoreline. Saturna Beach in Thomson Park is great for a picnic and a swim. There’s also the disconcertingly named Murder Point hike, a cliffside trail which continues along to Taylor Point.

Cabbage Island

Should you be fortunate enough to have access to a seafaring vessel, you could ditch your bike for a night and sail, motor or kayak across to Cabbage Island. There are five rustic campsites, a sawdust outhouse and a food cache – erected not for the bears, but for the rapacious racoons. Be sure to take drinking water and cash so you can pay your fees using the self-registration envelopes.

One side of the island is exposed to the elements, and the black volcanic rock is strewn with logs and windswept trees. In contrast, the other side has a white sandy beach with calm waters, making it ideal for swimming. The wetlands and lagoon make this an important area for wildlife, and eagle and oystercatchers often nest here.

The rugged side of Cabbage Island

During peak season, you’ll probably have to share the view with other boaters who make use of the Parks Canada mooring buoys here. But should you get the place to yourself, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d landed on a desert island. You can’t see any signs of civilisation from the beach, and should the winds pick up – as they did when I went – you might just be marooned here.

boat on sandy beach
The sandy shores of Cabbage Island

I made it off Cabbage Island in the end. But had I missed my return ferry to Vancouver, I wouldn’t have minded too much. I’d be happy to pedal around Saturna with my panniers for a little while longer.

Know before you go

  • Get to Saturna Island via BC Ferries (Tsawwassen/Swartz Bay to Lyall Harbour).
  • There’s only one grocery store on the island – it’s located on Narvaez Bay Road, a 10 minute cycle from the ferry terminal
  • Narvaez Bay campground has no potable water
  • Hiking opportunities include Mount Warbuton Pike and Murder Point
  • The island has some steep hills – you’ll want all your gears!

Galiano Island

Bike Touring Galiano Island

If the Saturday morning ferry from Tsawwassen is anything to go by, the joys of cycling around Galiano Island are no secret. There are bikers of all varieties. Some are ultra-streamlined, carrying only a few snacks about their Lycra-clad bodies. A few have small backpacks, evidently having arranged accommodation on the island – no tent required. While others, like me, are heavily laden with panniers. Everything needed for my survival is strapped to my ancient hardtail, ranging from a sleeping bag to a paltry number of knickers.

Cycling on Galiano Island

This is my first stop on a week-long bike tour around the southern Gulf Islands, during which I’ll visit Galiano Island, Saturna Island and Cabbage Island.

As the ferry prepares to dock, I eye up the road leading from the terminal. Unusually, it doesn’t appear to feature a giant hill. But as I soon discover, there are other obstacles to overcome. Most notably, the array of cafés and shops located in the vicinity. In fact, I only manage to cycle approximately 100m before stopping at the Bowline Café for a coffee and cake. I figure I need the energy.

I finish the last crumbs of my scone and decide I’d better get moving. At 27.5km long and never more than 6km wide, Galiano is long and thin. I’m keen to see as much of it as my legs will bear. I cautiously manoeuvre myself onto my bike. It’s no joke having everything piled atop the back wheel, and my trusty steed is almost impossible to control until I’m sat on the saddle. I’m suddenly thankful for my unscheduled pit stop, as the ferry traffic has now passed by, leaving me an almost empty road to wobble along.

I soon encounter my first hill. And the second. And the third. As it turns out, this island is full of hills. But mercifully, most are fairly short. The only time I’m really gasping is during the climb from Montague Harbour to the Hummingbird Pub. This is all the more galling when the free pub bus passes by, on its way to collect revellers from the campground.

But despite the hills – and the absence of a hard shoulder – I can see why this is a cycling hotspot. Those out for the day can jump on the morning ferry from Tsawwassen, work up a sweat during the 55km out and back ride, before returning to the mainland in the evening. For bike tourers like myself, a more leisurely pace can be adopted. There are various coves, beaches and viewpoints to discover. There are walking trails dotted across the island, with Bodega Ridge and Mount Galiano offering spectacular views across the channel.

Woman looks out from ridge across the sea
Bodega Ridge

Camping on Galiano Island

After a day of exploration, I needed somewhere to pitch my tent. Galiano has two campsites to choose from, both of which are operated by BC Parks.

Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park

The first is Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park, which is just 8.3km from Sturdies Bay. The sheltered harbour offers safe mooring to boaters, while clear waters lap against a white shell beach. Across the lagoon, the Gray Peninsula has a gentle 2km loop hiking trail. More white shell beaches line the shores, giving it the feel of a tropical paradise on a hot summer’s day.

There are 28 walk-in/cycle-in sites which can be reserved, along with seven first-come first-serve sites. Campers have access to pit toilets, drinking water and fire rings. With drive-in sites also available, this campground gets busy during the summer, so reservations are highly recommended.

white shell beach
White shell beaches line the Gray Peninsula

Dionisio Point Provincial Park

The other option is Dionisio Point Provincial Park, which is roughly 25km from Sturdies Bay. The park is, in theory, marine access only. However, it can be reached via the eastern foreshore. It seems many people also make use of the private road that leads directly to the park boundary. This begins at the end of Bodega Beach Road and cuts across a hotly contested parcel of land. The details are complicated, but suffice to say that it’s been the focus of a long-running legal battle between the land-owners and the provincial government. Currently, the road remains the property of the land-owners – meaning anyone who uses it without permission is trespassing.

Access issues aside, there are 30 wilderness campsites spread across two campgrounds. Parry Lagoon Campground is closer to the beach and the water pump, while Sandstone Campground features waterfront sites. All are first-come, first-serve and can be paid for in advance through Discover Camping, or in cash upon arrival.

The park has a network of trails that guide you through the rugged beauty of this northerly outcrop. Dionisio Point offers a sweeping panorama of the North Shore Mountains, and the verdant forest contains stands of Douglas-fir, Western hemlock and arbutus. The park also has archaeological sites formerly used by the Penelakut First Nation. It’s a serene spot – a place to sit quietly and watch for herons, seals and deer.

woman sits on rock at sunset
Sunset at Dionisio Point
man walks through forest next to beach
Walking around Dionisio Provincial Park

The gem of the Salish Sea

After a few days spent swimming, hiking, fishing and, of course, cycling, it’s time to head to my onwards ferry. As I’m puffing my way up the final hill, I find Galiano Island has surprised me. Being so close to Vancouver, I expected it to be overrun and noisy. Sure, there are plenty of tourists here during the holidays. But there are pockets of tranquillity, an artisan atmosphere and unadorned natural beauty. The Galiano Island Chamber of Commerce dubs it the gem of the Salish Sea. That, I decide, is fair enough.

sunset across the sea
Views of Mount Baker from Galiano Island

Know before you go

  • Get to Galiano Island via BC Ferries (Tsawwassen/Swartz Bay to Sturdies Bay).
  • Grocery stores and other amenities are clustered in and around Sturdies Bay – stock up once you get off the ferry
  • Hiking opportunities include Mount Galiano and Bodega Ridge – both are beginner friendly and have great views
  • The ecological reserve is good for trail running – although there aren’t any maps, which makes navigating confusing
  • Other places to visit include the Tapovan Peace Park and Lover’s Leap viewpoint
  • Look out for beach access signs. Popular spots include Pebble Beach and Morning Beach

Interested to know more about the southern Gulf Islands? Read about my time bike touring Saturna Island and my Active Guide to Salt Spring Island.