This July, we’ll be walking over 500 kilometres along the Via Francigena, beginning in Rome and making our way south through the Italian countryside—all in support of men and women on their journey out of poverty.
Our goal is to raise $150,000 to provide small loans, training and support that empower families to build lasting livelihoods. Thanks to a generous supporter, when we reach $100,000, a $25,000 matching gift will be unlocked, extending the impact of every donation.
Every step we take represents the journey millions are making to leave poverty behind for good. Join us by making a gift today and help walk people out of poverty.
Check back weekly for a video recap, or follow Dan's blog for updates.
Our itinerary
Walking pilgrimage
Via Francigena del Sud
Rome to Monte Sant'Angelo · Stages 1–22 + MSA23–MSA27
~506 kmDistance
27 stagesWalking days
~8,800 mTotal ascent
~150 hrWalking time
Day 1
Rome → Castel Gandolfo
Leaving the Eternal City, rising into the Castelli Romani hills
26.2 km7 hr↑552 m ↓145 m
Day 2
Castel Gandolfo → Velletri
Papal summer residence to the Colli Albani plateau
21.5 km5¾ hr↑481 m ↓582 m
Day 3
Velletri → Cori
Descent toward the Pontine plain with hilltop views
18.9 km5 hr↑344 m ↓266 m
Day 4
Cori → Sermoneta
Medieval hilltowns above the reclaimed Pontine Marshes
20.3 km5½ hr↑534 m ↓708 m
Day 5
Sermoneta → Sezze
Short, easy stage — natural buffer or rest opportunity
11.0 km3 hr↑307 m ↓240 m
Day 6
Sezze → Abbazia di Fossanova
Arriving at the 12th-century Cistercian abbey — a highlight of the route
20.9 km5½ hr↑241 m ↓513 m
Day 7
Abbazia di Fossanova → Terracina
Flat coastal approach with views of the Tyrrhenian Sea
20.6 km5¼ hr↑130 m ↓104 m
Day 8
Terracina → Fondi
Coastal route passing the Monte Circeo promontory
22.0 km6 hr↑378 m ↓407 m
Day 9
Fondi → Itri
Through the Aurunci mountains — rewarding shorter stage
15.1 km4¼ hr↑336 m ↓170 m
Day 10
Itri → Formia
Descending to the Gulf of Gaeta — a key Roman port city
21.1 km5½ hr↑358 m ↓516 m
Day 11
Formia → Marina di Minturno
Easy coastal leg — lowest ascent on the whole route
19.8 km5 hr↑100 m ↓115 m
Day 12
Marina di Minturno → Sessa Aurunca
Crossing from Lazio into Campania — entering the Volturno valley
24.2 km6½ hr↑372 m ↓170 m
Day 13
Sessa Aurunca → Teano
Through the ancient Sidicini territory
15.4 km4¼ hr↑314 m ↓312 m
Day 14
Teano → Roccaromana
Rolling hills along the edge of the extinct Roccamonfina volcano
20.6 km5¼ hr↑114 m ↓164 m
Day 15
Roccaromana → Alife
Into the Matese mountains foothills — dramatic scenery begins
21.4 km5½ hr↑302 m ↓347 m
Day 16
Alife → Faicchio
Valley walking through the Sannio wine country
19.3 km5¼ hr↑325 m ↓252 m
Day 17
Faicchio → Telese Terme
Short stage ending at a thermal spa town — natural rest day candidate
12.6 km3½ hr↑255 m ↓370 m
Day 18
Telese Terme → Vitulano
Steepest ascent of the route — 796 m gained through the Taburno hills
16.6 km5½ hr↑796 m ↓398 m
Day 19
Vitulano → Benevento
Descending to the historic Samnite capital on the Calore river
17.1 km4½ hr↑187 m ↓493 m
Day 20
Benevento → Buonalbergo
Long climb into the Sannio uplands — one of the harder days
23.3 km6½ hr↑766 m ↓357 m
Day 21
Buonalbergo → Celle di San Vito
Longest stage — entering Puglia, the landscape opens wide
29.0 km8 hr↑873 m ↓708 m
Day 22
Celle di San Vito → Troia
Arriving at the magnificent Romanesque cathedral — main route ends here
17.4 km4¾ hr↑314 m ↓599 m
Day 23
MSA23Troia → Lucera
Heading into the Tavoliere plain toward the Angevin fortress town
21.7 km5½ hr↑122 m ↓340 m
Day 24
MSA24Lucera → San Severo
Flat Puglia tablelands — big skies and wheat fields
24.2 km6¼ hr↑115 m ↓246 m
Day 25
MSA25San Severo → Stignano
Climbing toward the Gargano — the landscape dramatically changes
21.3 km5¾ hr↑447 m ↓283 m
Day 26
MSA26Stignano → San Giovanni Rotondo
Hardest MSA stage — major ascent to the Padre Pio pilgrimage town
19.7 km6 hr↑885 m ↓503 m
Day 27
MSA27San Giovanni Rotondo → Monte Sant'Angelo
Final stage — arriving at the ancient sanctuary of the Archangel Michael
24.2 km6½ hr↑533 m ↓342 m
Got questions?
Walking People Out of Poverty is organized by Opportunity International Canada. We are a registered Canadian non-profit with a 25-year history of providing microfinance, training, and support to alleviate poverty, for good. We are part of the Opportunity International Global Network.
Opportunity International Canada is a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency #87751 6385 RR0001.
When you donate $20 or more to Opportunity International Canada, you will receive a tax receipt.
Tax receipts will be issued in the following tax season.
After you’ve registered, be sure to check your inbox for an email with important links and details.
The email will include your personal fundraising link to share with your network as well as a link to your fundraising profile. On your profile, you will be able to create/change your name for your fundraiser, upload a picture, set a goal and add a personal message.
Share your fundraising link with your network to start raising funds. You can speak with people one-on-one, send personal emails, or post about your fundraiser on social media.