Planning your Romea Strata journey
Logistics and key information to walk the Romea Strata
Choosing the best time to walk the Romea Strata
The Romea Strata passes through seven countries, featuring different landscapes, climates, and environments. Some sections, especially in the Alps and Apennines, may be inaccessible during winter due to snow or adverse weather conditions.
Our advice: Carefully choose your departure period, considering your specific destination along the route and the anticipated weather conditions for that time of year.
Planning stages according to your abilities
Properly planning your daily stages is fundamental to enjoying your Romea Strata experience with peace of mind.
- Adapt the route and daily distances to your physical condition and walking pace.
- Avoid overly ambitious goals: your rhythm must be sustainable, especially on a multi-day pilgrimage.
- Factor in the distances between available pilgrim hostels (ostelli) and other rest stops.
Physical preparation
Embarking on a journey like the Romea Strata isn’t just about choosing a destination and slipping on a pair of hiking boots. It also, and crucially, means preparing your body and mind for a slow, long, and profound experience. You don’t need to be a top athlete, but a minimum amount of training is essential – and even before that, the desire to start.
Mental preparation
Mental preparation for your walk is fundamental to enjoy this experience, face the unexpected, and persevere through difficult moments. In this guide, you’ll discover how to train your mind before you depart and keep it strong throughout your entire pilgrimage.
Reading advice
In this section, you will find a selection of books designed for those preparing to walk the Romea Strata or wishing to delve deeper into the world of walking. These are true stories, personal accounts, and reflections on slowness, nature, and the profound meaning of walking. Reading before you leave is a way to begin the journey with greater awareness: it helps to prepare mentally, to be inspired, and to grasp new perspectives.
Hospitality along the Romea Strata
Where to sleep:
Accommodation facilities along the route are indicated on our website.
It is crucial to notify accommodations of your arrival in advance:
- Call ahead to confirm your overnight stay, ideally on a day-by-day basis or as recommended by the specific accommodation.
- If your plans change, please cancel your booking promptly. This is a mark of respect towards those offering pilgrim hospitality.
Signage and orientation on the trail
Along the Via Romea Strata, you will find official signage: a white arrow on a brown background featuring the words “Romea Strata” and its logo. However, as the route is very long and often overlaps with other local or national trails, especially in sections outside of Italy, you may also encounter other forms of local signage.
On the detailed pages dedicated to each country on our website, you will find specific information about the waymarking system to follow along that particular section of the Romea Strata.
Near significant points of interest, you may also find descriptive notice boards displaying the route map, along with cultural and spiritual insights, and sometimes biblical quotes to accompany your pilgrimage.
Important: If you reach an intersection and see no clear Romea Strata signs, the general rule is to continue straight ahead on the main path you have been following.
Stay safe on your journey
Walking the Via Romea Strata demands attention not only to physical preparation but also to safety. Having reliable tools to communicate your location and call for help can make all the difference, especially on more isolated stretches.
That’s why we recommend installing GeoResQ, the app from the Italian National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps. It’s designed for those traveling on foot or by bicycle along long-distance routes. The app allows you to track your itinerary, send a geolocated rescue request, and share your real-time position with rescuers.
GeoResQ is available for free on the App Store and Google Play. It’s a simple yet invaluable tool to help you tackle your journey with greater awareness and peace of mind.
