Via Francigena. Cycling on or near the official route Part 00 Canterbury - Dover

This Route part 00 from Canterbury to Dover

You can drive from Canterbury to Dover in half a day. There is a campsite in Dover, but it is often closed. The nearest is 10 km north of the Ferry Port. That is why it might be a good idea to make the crossing to Calais on the same day in Dover and spend the night there. For the addresses see Part 01.

Overview

District: Kent, England

Landscape : hilly with sometimes steep slopes.

Campsites in Canterbury. The campsite in Dover is often closed. Howthorn Farm is an alternative. Distance 3.5 km from the route and 10 km from the Ferry terminal (See Poi or waypoint on the map)

Lodging in: Canterbury, Sheperdswell and Dover (see POIs and waypoints on the map)

Pilgrim hostels in: Canterbury see https://www.viefrancigene.org/wp-content/file%20upload/visitvf_england.pdf

Hospitality in: Canterbury, Aylesham, Woolage green, Eythorne, Sheperdswell and Dover. (see POIs and waypoints on the map).

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General.

In the Middle Ages, the via Francigena (old Frankenweg) connected Northern Europe with Rome.

The monk Sigeric of Canterbury Abbey made this pilgrimage to Rome along the Via Francigena to receive his pallium (a band with 6 black crosses worn around the neck) in the holy city in 990. Source: Wikipedia\en

The records of this trip still exist.

“The pilgrimage is one of the cultural routes created in 1987 by the Council of Europe. These routes, of which the route to Santiago de Compostela is the best known, show through a journey through space and time how the heritage of the different countries and cultures of Europe contributes to a shared and living cultural heritage.” (Source: European Council.)

The via Francigena is a hiking trail. This variant for cyclists goes on or near the official pilgrimage road, which in France is referred to as Grande Randonnée (GR)145.

Because the bicycle paths in France sometimes mean an attack for the bicycle, it has been decided to run the tour on quiet country roads and through as many villages and towns as possible through which the GR 145 also runs.

For each section of the route, the most important points of interest are listed as points of interest (POI) or as waypoints.

To make the road accessible to everyone, each part of the route starts and ends at a campsite. All pilgrims' hostels (Acqueils pèlerins) are included for people who want to travel a bit more luxuriously. They are recommended by the Via Francigena organization.

Cyclists who prefer more luxury will also find B&Bs, Chambres d'hôtes and hotels here.

The distances of each individual track vary. Because the routes connect to each other, you can make them as long or as short as you want.

Tip: Always make sure you have a full battery or take a power pack with you. E-bikers can usually connect their GPS device or telephone to the bicycle battery.

The via francigena requires a good physical condition and one has to be able to take a beating mentally.

Credential or stamp card.

As proof that you have walked, cycled or traveled the route on horseback, you can have a stamp or signature placed in various places along the way. This card is also valid as a ticket for the pilgrims' hostels (Acqueils pèlerins). You can then spend the night there for a reasonable fee (maximum € 20 in 2021).

Upon completion of the journey, this card is exchanged in Rome for a certificate (Testimonium).

You can request the card via this link: https://www.viefrancigene.org/en/pilgrims-credential/

Directional changes.

For those with a GPS device or a good application on the phone (for example Oruxsmaps GP or Locus), which give a signal when direction changes are made, the gpx file with those waypoints can be downloaded at https://www.gps-tour.info/ en/tracks/download.177682.html . Note: You will miss the added sights of Routeyou.