Local and regional trails
The Via Columbani offers a great range of local and regional walks, in every country, across hugely varied landscapes.
There are attractive day or weekend walks, including for families or older people, but also hikes suitable for experienced ramblers, for a few days, a week or longer.
Those interested, whether walkers, cyclists or motorcyclists, can choose the stretches of the Via Columbani that they wish to follow, by using the Via Columbani route guide, or by getting in touch with the local members of the Partnership, identified on this site.
France
Bretagne:
Tro Breizh de Colomban:
The Tro Breizh forms a wide loop around Brittany, linking 45 sites that perpetuate the memory of Saint Columbanus, of his companion Saint Gall and of other monks of the Irish Movement that came to Brittany.
This 1700km route is divided into five parts that can be traveled separately or successively. They can be accessed through the following links:
19. Brittany Region (1/5)
20. Brittany Region (2/5)
21. Brittany Region (3/5)
22. Brittany Region (4/5)
23. Brittany Region (5/5)
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Grand-Est:
Luxeuil to Basel link:
This trail runs through the Franche-Comté and then Alsace regions. It was not travelled by Columbanus, but it forms a link for pilgrims arriving in Luxeuil to reach Basel, on their way to between Carlow and Bobbio.
This attractive trail, through a rich and varied landscape, runs for 140km; and is accessible through the following link:
Luxeuil-Saint Valbert-Luxeuil:
This day's walk, mainly in the forest, links Luxeuil, a major site in the history of Saint Columban, to a hermitage where Saint Valbert (595-668), the third abbot to head the Luxeuil abbey, retreated.
This 18km route can be accessed via the following link: