If you’re wondering when to walk the Via Francigena for the most pleasant weather, the best starting months are April to early May, or late July to early September. These periods consistently align with stretches of the route that offer comfortable temperatures, stable weather patterns, and relatively dry conditions—ideal for long-distance hiking.
Spring offers a refreshing atmosphere with crisp mornings and gradually warming days. The weather is mild enough to stay comfortable while walking, and the trail is often quieter during this time. You’ll also enjoy the added beauty of blooming landscapes as you move through northern France and Switzerland.
This time of year brings long days and clear skies. While summer can be intense in other regions, this part of the Via Francigena tends to avoid the extremes, offering reliably good walking conditions. Trails are more lively, but the weather tends to be consistent and dry.
As summer winds down, the early days of autumn bring some of the most enjoyable conditions for hikers—still warm, but without the intensity of peak summer. The landscapes start to shift with the season, and the route remains largely dry and pleasant underfoot.
Whether you're drawn to the fresh air of spring or the golden calm of early autumn, these months offer the kind of weather that makes a long walk feel like a pleasure rather than a challenge.
Of course, while these recommendations provide a solid starting point, everyone's preferences and circumstances are unique. For example, if you prefer walking in the cooler morning hours to avoid midday heat, you might prioritize dates with drier conditions. On the other hand, if you are more accustomed to colder climates, you may choose to avoid hotter periods - even if it means encountering more rain. Our search tool allows you to customize your journey to align with your specific needs and preferences, ensuring the best possible experience on the trail.
Furthermore, if your plan differs from walking the standard stages from Calais to Lausanne, then you can edit the Search Settings below accordingly.
This ensures you won’t be walking in overly hot weather.
Similarly, this ensures you won’t be walking in cold weather.
This might sound similar to the first step – but instead of looking at averages, it filters out extreme temperatures that don’t happen every year. In other words, you’re excluding those parts of the year when there might be a heat wave.
Like the previous step, this applies to extremes instead of averages – but this time you’re excluding cold snaps.
This step excludes those times of year which might have storms or intense showers.
If the previous steps haven’t narrowed down the search to 20%, you can further limit the dates by finding the overall driest periods.
Feel free to use this guide as a starting point to find the time of year that best suits your personal needs and preferences. By tailoring the filters to your specific situation, you can discover the perfect time of year for your hike.
Below is our weather search tool, with the filters already set up according to this process.
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