Europe's Most Iconic Trains: 17 Legendary Routes to Take by Train
by
Published today
How do we process your data?
We use cookies to improve your browsing experience and personalize our content. They are mainly used for statistical purposes.
Inspiration and great deals for your next low-carbon trips
What if slow travel truly became accessible to all? The Via Francigena, a thousand-year-old route linking Canterbury to Rome, crosses Piedmont, an Italian region known for its mountains, gastronomy, and deep spiritual heritage. Today, thanks to the Via Francigena for All project, this section of the trail is now open to everyone: families, people with reduced mobility, curious travellers, hikers, or simple wanderers seeking authenticity. A more human, conscious way to travel. Let’s dive into the Piedmont section, where heritage, nature and regional cuisine meet.
It’s one of Europe’s oldest pilgrimage routes, stretching over 2,000 km from Canterbury to Rome and crossing four countries: the UK, France, Switzerland and Italy.
In Piedmont, the path winds between valleys, lakes and hills, dotted with Romanesque churches and medieval villages.
© Elsa Beaudeux
Thanks to the Via Francigena for All project, the Piedmont section is now accessible to everyone, including people with reduced mobility. A true milestone for inclusive tourism.
Concretely:
The Via Francigena for All label is not just a promise — it’s real on the ground.
Elsa confirms: “The churches have ramps, the paths are well maintained, and there are even small cabins where you can rest, read, or charge your phone.”
© Elsa Beaudeux
And for fans of symbols, there’s a bonus: you can collect stamps for your pilgrim passport throughout the Via Francigena, not only in Piedmont. A charming - and motivating - souvenir!
In short: an invitation to walk differently, free from exclusion or performance pressure.
Because it’s one of northern Italy’s hidden gems: a landscape of mountains, terraced vineyards and hilltop villages. During her trip, our journalist Elsa crossed Vaie, Carema, Ivrea and Bollengo, always keeping an eye on the majestic Sacra di San Michele perched on its rocky peak. Even beneath the clouds, the guided tour revealed the full symbolic power of this mythical place.
© Elsa Beaudeux
The Piedmont Via Francigena proves that you can travel slowly, locally and inclusively, without sacrificing beauty or meaning.
“I was struck by the diversity of the route: in just two days, you go from a medieval monastery to a wine tasting, from a mountain village to a high-tech cathedral. All at a human pace.”
- Elsa, reporter for HOURRAIL!
Elsa’s first stop: the Sacra di San Michele, a thousand-year-old monastery perched atop a rocky peak.
“It’s an impressive place, full of history,” she explains. “The clouds hid the valley, but the guided tour helped me understand its spiritual and historical importance.”
© Via Francigena
But Piedmont’s charm also lies in its people.
The next day, in the small village of Vaie, tasting the local canestrelli (little shortbread cookies) with the village mayor turned a simple coffee break into a moment of genuine conviviality.
From Vaie, the trail offers breathtaking panoramas of the Alps, a valley surrounded by mountains, and the unmistakable silhouette of the Sacra di San Michele.
© Elsa Beaudeux
You can also explore the region’s Romanesque heritage, including the Pieve di San Lorenzo and the Baptistery of San Giovanni.
Elsa met Margherita there, a passionate guide:
“An absolutely captivating visit! Margherita knows every fresco, every stone. It’s like attending a live history lesson.”
© Elsa Beaudeux
Further along, Elsa climbed to the vineyards of Carema:
“The terraced vineyards are incredible. And the wine tasting at the top was such a surprise!”
Heritage lovers won’t be disappointed. In Ivrea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Via Francigena crosses a human-scale town where nature and culture coexist. Elsa visited the Santa Maria Cathedral, which is part of the Churches with Open Doors program.
© Elsa Beaudeux
It’s very easy to reach the region by train from France: head to Turin (via TGV Inoui or Trenitalia high-speed trains), then take a connecting regional train to Susa, Vaie or Ivrea, depending on your chosen starting point.
Best seasons? Spring and early autumn: mild temperatures, bright landscapes, vivid colours, ideal for walking or leisurely exploration.
All practical information (maps, accommodation, points of interest, stamp locations) is available on the official Via Francigena website.
In the evening, head to Certosa 1515, a former monastery converted into a hotel.
Elsa’s take? “It’s a beautiful place, right in the middle of nature. It’s incredibly peaceful, the rooms are simple but comfortable… Special mention for the excellent breakfast.”
We also tested La Maison du Charme for you: a tiny independent hotel with only four rooms, offering all the comfort you need, just steps from the river!
© Elsa Beaudeux
For something original, don’t miss the Balmetti: mountain-carved houses used as natural cellars, perfect for ageing wine and cheese.
According to Elsa, “the restaurant Balmetto Mercando is a must-stop. Local products, a thoughtful concept, and a passionate owner.”
© Elsa Beaudeux
Another culinary favourite: La Mugnaia, in Ivrea, an affordable gastronomic restaurant with tasting menus between €46 and €50. Expect a modern twist on classic Piedmont cuisine.
Elsa particularly recommends the vegetarian tasting menu, which she found excellent.
© Elsa Beaudeux
The Via Francigena in Piedmont is more than a historic route: it’s an invitation to slow down, connect and experience inclusion. A path where everyone has their place — whether to walk, contemplate, taste… or simply breathe.
In short, this itinerary brings together everything we love at HOURRAIL!: meaning, connection and time to look around.
This article was written in partnership with Via Francigena. To learn more, visit their official website: viefrancigene.org!
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
