PHYSICAL PREPARATION
If you want to undertake a multi-day walk on the Columban Way, to best prepare yourself we recommend that you do a few walks with increasing distance in the weeks before departure, using the same shoes and socks that you will use on the journey. At the beginning, travel unloaded, and then start walking with a loaded backpack, in order to test the weight and adjustments over short distances. We suggest a simple training scheme, spread over a period of two or more weeks.

In the first week it may be enough to train three times in a week:
1st day 30 minutes of walking, then a day of rest
2nd day 30/40 minutes at a faster pace, then rest day
3rd day 40/50 minutes at a faster pace, then one or two days of rest.
Obviously nothing prevents you from walking every day, but without exaggerating the distances if you come from a period of sedentary life.

In the second week and in the following weeks you can gradually reach 50/60 minutes of walking a day at a more brisk pace, gradually starting to load the backpack until you reach a full load.
If you have never tackled a multi-day trek before, we advise you to try a two or three day trek, perhaps over a weekend, also to fine-tune the equipment and the effects of the weight of the backpack during a long journey.

WHEN TO LEAVE
The Columban Way crosses environments with very different climatic characteristics, from the 1458 m altitude of the village of Casaccia (near the Passo del Settimo) to the Po Valley, from the hills of San Colombano al Lambro at around 150 m to the Piacenza Apennines ( Pietra Parcellara at 836 m above sea level).
The best seasons to travel the entire itinerary are May and June, or September and October. Avoid the hottest months, especially in the Po Valley area, where shade is very scarce and the climate is muggy.

THE STAGES
The route is divided into stages with an average length of approximately 15-25 kilometres. The splitting of the stages depends above all on the possibilities of “pilgrim” accommodation in the places of arrival, but you can split the route differently, perhaps staying overnight in tourist facilities.

The FORD
The route crosses the ford of the Po in stage 14 from Corte Sant’Andrea (Senna Lodigiana) to Santimento, which for most of the year do not present particular difficulties, but which in the event of heavy rains can become treacherous or can even interrupt the path. So if it rained a lot in the days before your visit we advise you to find out daily about the state of the waterways.
To tackle it, we recommend contacting the ferryman to tackle the “Transitum Padi”, the Ford of Sigerico and Saint Columban, to be transported to the other bank in Soprarivo (reservation by telephone by calling Danilo Parisi at least one day in advance on 0523 771607 or cell: 3318768456). The “San Colombano” boat carries up to a maximum of 10 people or 6 people + 6 bicycles. The crossing preferably takes place in the morning and lasts about 20 minutes

SHADING
In many stages there is little shade. During the summer it is advisable to protect your head and use a sunscreen. It is best to leave very early in the morning, to avoid the hottest hours.

WATER AND REFRESHMENT POINTS ALONG THE ROUTE
The fountains and refreshment points are frequent in some stages, in others rather rare or even absent. We must carefully evaluate the availability of water and take it into account by filling the water bottles appropriately. During an average stage in the height of summer it is a good habit to drink at least two liters of water, possibly supplemented with mineral salts, to reduce the risk of heat stroke.
Most of the towns crossed by the Columban Way have bars or shops selling food. Their presence is indicated in the descriptive sheet of each stage.

THE TECHNOLOGY
Using technological devices can be very helpful along the way. Modern smartphones and tablets have become multifunctional devices, allowing you to view your location on maps via GPS, read the route guide or a novel in the evening, take photos and videos, read mail, surf the Internet and call home on Skype, watch TV, read the newspaper, listen to music. All with a very low weight, a fundamental aspect for those traveling with a backpack on their shoulders.
We advise you on the use of digital cartography and GPS

FOOT ROUTE  (Difficulty)
The route does not present particular technical difficulties. The level of difficulty is linked more than anything to the length, the difference in altitude, and the possible scarcity of water, which forces travelers to increase the weight of their backpack.

BICYCLE ROUTE (Difficulty)
Compared to the pedestrian route, which favors dirt roads, the bicycle route includes numerous asphalted secondary roads with little traffic and avoids bumpy dirt roads as much as possible. The itinerary is approximately 80% asphalted, and the dirt sections are mostly on “white roads” with stabilized surfaces. When there are no alternatives, short stretches of roads with intense vehicular traffic are traveled.
The itinerary is therefore suitable for adult cycle travelers who have a good command of the vehicle, good training and good travel experience; for long stretches and several stages it is also recommended for families with children or inexperienced or poorly trained people. The first part of the route up to Milan is characterized by minimal differences in height and is rather easy, almost entirely cycleable along waterways (Adda and Martesana). The second part, on the plains, in the southern Milan area is also facilitated by widely used cycle paths from the Apennine route with continuous ups and downs, is rather outskirts of Milan to Lodivecchio. The third part which includes the Piacenza challenging and requires good training.