In the first two months of the 2026 season, 232 pilgrims completed the Camino Podolico route, including seven foreigners. One of the pioneers was Francesco, an Italian who learned about the Camino Podolico route in Ukraine only a few months ago.
He has been living in Kyiv since 2025 and works for an international organisation that supports Ukraine in these difficult times. He quickly decided to walk the entire route (250 kilometers from Vinnytsia to Kamianets-Podilskyi) and completed it even faster – in just four days. How he managed to do it alone and without knowing Ukrainian, Francesco shared in an interview for the Camino Podolico website.
How did you find out about the Camino Podolico route in Ukraine, and why did you decide to walk this route?
I discovered the Camino Podolico by chance, a few months ago. While visiting Vinnytsia I came across the sign of the starting point. Later I looked it up on internet. I knew about the Camino de Santiago and it is in my bucket list, but since I am here in Ukraine, I said «Why not?».
What was your route like?
I didn't have much time, and I didn’t have a companion, but I have experience with ultramarathons, so I decided to walk the Camino as fast as possible, completing 3 check points every day. I did it in four days, from the morning of May 23 in Vinnytsia to the night of May 26 in Kamianets-Podilskyi.
Was this your first journey of this kind, or have you done similar hikes before?
It’s the first of this kind, but I did a few one-hundred-mile ultramarathons in the mountains, including the famous «UTMB». I did not prepare specifically for the Camino, but I exercise in the gym every day.
What was your purpose for walking the Camino?
I wanted to be alone with myself and meditate. But given the challenging goal I put myself to, I was laser focused on walking, eating, getting a stamp and sleeping!
What challenges did you face? And how much of an issue was the language barrier?
It was difficult for me to understand where to go in the villages. I arranged with a friend in Kyiv that I would call her, and she would speak on the phone in Ukrainian with locals. Without her, I would not have found some checkpoints or places to sleep.
For non-Ukrainian speakers, try to travel with a native speaker or arrange for a native speaker to help you on the phone!
What did you enjoy most about the Camino Podolico? And was there anything you didn't like?
I liked the nature. I liked the landscape. I liked the people. I did not like some long stretches of roads with only asphalts and cars!
I see that Camino Podolico is developing, so I will walk it again for sure, and next time with a companion, and I will take the time to stop in every location, visit all the attractions and taste the local food!
