Signs along the Via Francigena

I found that the signage along the Via Francigena varies from non-existent to excellent. One of the standard signs looks like this.  Sometimes there are signs for different modes of transport.

           

This one was quite amusing.

But sometimes these signs lead you astray from a shorter more direct path and are intended for people on short weekend walks. On one occasion I followed my guidebook and two other pilgrims followed these signs and arrived very tired at the hostel two hours later.

Another common sign is this “milestone” type one. Not a confidence inspiring milepost !

or this type. 

There is also a coloured arrow system in use in some places, with a yellow arrow pointing towards Rome and a white one in the other direction towards Santiago de Compostella. Its actually hard to walk in the reverse correction. I came across one guy who thought he was heading away from Rome, when in fact he was heading towards Rome. These rock signs will give you the idea.

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Rome to the right , Santiago to the left !

Sometimes the Via Fracigena coincides with the red and white signs of the Club Alpina Italiana or “CAI” but then again sometimes they don’t !

     

      

Then there are all sorts of variants.

   

    

And there are guide boards, but often they show circuitous routes taking in lots of interesting sites.

I think this was my favourite sign, with a little grotto.

And this one – well it had the pilgrim’s shells !

My final sign – the hostel in Rome !