Frequently Asked Questions

Borgoway is a specialist service that organises self-guided multi-day treks on specific Italian walking routes. We handle the logistics — accommodation booking, luggage transfer, itinerary preparation, and Italian-language communication — so you walk independently but with everything arranged in advance. We are not a guided tour company; you walk at your own pace, on your own schedule.

You walk alone or with your group, without a guide accompanying you each day. You decide your pace, your rest stops, and whether to take detours. Borgoway provides everything you need before you leave — a stage-by-stage itinerary, accommodation confirmed at each end of day, stage notes with key waymarking information, and emergency support by phone throughout your walk.

It varies significantly by route. The Via degli Dei and Cammino di San Benedetto are suitable for regular walkers with some hill-walking experience — you don't need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable walking 5–7 hours on consecutive days before you set out. The Sentiero dei Ducati is a different category entirely and requires genuine mountain trekking experience. We have an honest conversation about fitness with every enquirer — it's one of the most important things we discuss.

April to June and September to October are the ideal windows for most routes — mild temperatures, lower humidity, and less competition for accommodation. July and August are walkable but hot, particularly on the Via degli Dei and Santa Barbara coastal route. The Sentiero dei Ducati is a summer-only route (June–September) due to high-altitude snow and path conditions outside that window. The Cammino di San Benedetto can be walked as early as March.

Solo walkers, couples, and small groups (up to 8 people) are all welcome. Very large groups (10+) can sometimes be accommodated but may require more lead time and some flexibility on accommodation, particularly for popular routes in peak season.

With the Standard and Premium tiers, we arrange for your main bag to be transferred from your overnight accommodation each morning to your next accommodation, arriving before you do. You walk with a day pack only. The transfer is handled by local operators and is included in your tier price — you don't need to organise or pay for it separately.

It varies by route and stage. The Via degli Dei uses a mix of rifugi (mountain huts), agriturismi (farm stays), B&Bs, and small hotels. The Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara uses B&Bs and agriturismi. Premium-tier walkers get upgrades to more characterful and comfortable accommodation where it's available. All accommodation we book is personally verified by us.

Breakfast is included at almost all accommodation. Dinner can be arranged at or near each accommodation as part of the Standard and Premium tiers. We don't manage lunch — we recommend restaurants and cafes in the stage notes, and packed lunches can usually be ordered from accommodation on request for long stages with limited services.

We understand plans change. Our cancellation policy is tiered based on how close to your dates you cancel and what has already been committed with accommodation providers. The full terms are set out in your booking confirmation. We always aim to recover as much of your deposit as possible if you need to cancel due to circumstances beyond your control.

Yes. Borgoway exists precisely because this is a genuine barrier for many foreign walkers. We handle all communication with Italian-speaking service providers on your behalf. The stage notes and itinerary we provide are written in plain English for non-Italian speakers, with key phrases and contacts included. English is spoken at many accommodation options on the more established routes, but we don't rely on it.

Because the planning conversation matters. A trekking holiday involves real decisions about fitness, equipment, timing, and expectations. A booking form can't have that conversation; we can. All bookings start with a brief contact form, after which we respond within 48 hours with a personalised proposal and, if needed, a short call to make sure everything is right.