Walking tours in Italy are becoming more and more popular as old tracks through the countryside are being re-opened and maintained. The coming Holy Year, proclaimed by Pope Francis, due to begin on December 8th 2015, has spurred increasing interest in the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrim's route from Canterbury (England) to Rome and beyond towards the Holy Land.
Lazio regional authorities have announced that they plan to promote Karol's Path, a heritage route dedicated to Karol Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II. A newly opened portion of the track links the Castelli Romani town of Rocca di Papa, a hill town some 30 kms south of Rome, to the mountain sanctuary of La Mentorella one of late Pope's favourite retreats. The objective is to link this route up with the southern tract of the Via Francigena that extends for 40 kms between the towns of Velletri and Giulianello, a trek that is already popular with hikers.
Info: www.viafrancigena.org www.viabenedicti.it
