The route
The terrain along the route is not particularly challenging, but you will experience a hilly landscape with occasional ascents and descents. The surface varies between trails, gravel roads, country roads, and pavements. What may be challenging for some are the daily distances, which range from 18 to 26 km.
Itinerary
You'll arrive in Bolsena. Depending on your arrival time, you can take a short visit to the beautiful old town, dominated by the large castle, or take a leisurely stroll along the banks of the beautiful volcanic lake. Bolsena is known for the miracle of Corpus Domini and the churches are well worth a visit. If you also walk the Siena-Bolsena section of the Via Francigena, you'll get there on foot, past the castle and through the old medieval town.
Hotel (example): Hotel Royal
The first day of walking takes you out of Bolsena along the eastern side of the lake. Avoiding the busy Via Cassia and walking mostly through the hills that are full of Etruscan remains, today's walk starts uphill and leads from the lakeside to the old town of Bolsena. You'll then head through the hills over the eastern shore of Lake Bolsena all the way to the pretty little town of Montefiascone.
The route is mostly through rolling hills, through olive groves, forests and orchards, along forest paths and so-called strade bianche (dirt roads). This is where the wine ‘Est-Est-Est-Est’ was born. Montefiascone is a beautiful town well worth a visit. It sits on a hilltop with a wonderful view of the entire Lago di Bolsena below it, including the islands and the surrounding hills.
Hotel (example): Hotel Urbano V
After visiting the ‘Rocca’ and gardens of Montefiascone with a few ‘Belvederes’ from where you can enjoy beautiful views of Lake Bolsena, you will continue your walk southwards today. After leaving the outskirts of the city and avoiding the busy Via Cassia, you'll walk on smaller roads through the rolling hills. For those who fancy it, after about 10 kilometres you'll pass the ‘Bagnaccio’ thermal pools where you can relax for a while in the steaming water.
From here it's less than two hours to Viterbo, a cosy little town where you can stroll around and perhaps have a drink in one of the pleasant squares. Take time to visit the Palazzo dei Papi (‘Palace of the Popes’), which is almost a small town in itself. Here you'll settle into your centrally located accommodation.
Hotel (example): Hotel Viterbo Inn
After a relaxing breakfast, you leave Viterbo heading south. There are two possible “Via Francigena” routes from here, but we have chosen the route that takes you to the beautiful crater lake Lake Vico. The first part of the route leads you along the impressive city walls of Viterbo (you can leave the city either through Porta San Pietro or Porta Romana – proof that you are heading in the right direction!). Once you leave the outskirts behind, you walk through the pleasant landscape of the Cimini Mountains, mostly along beautiful forest trails.
After around three hours of walking from Viterbo, you reach the rim of the crater surrounding Lake Vico, which is now a nature reserve. From here, you have several options for descending into the crater to the lakeshore before settling into your lovely agriturismo located inside the crater.
Hotel (example): Valle di Vico
Today's route takes you through some of the most interesting towns in this part of Italy, Vitorchiano and Sutri. But first you have to get out of the volcano. The tour starts with a relaxed, almost flat stretch along the lakeshore, but then you'll climb back up to the crater rim. On the edge of the crater you'll find the stunning village of Vitorchiano, which boasts one of the best preserved medieval town centres.
A short descent follows, bringing you back onto the ‘original’ Via Francigena. The first village you pass is Capranica, where you arrive at lunchtime. You'll cross the entire ‘centro storico’, which is located on a narrow ridge, and then descend to Via Cassia again. Of course, we avoid this busy road as much as possible: in fact, you'll walk almost entirely through forests and fields until you reach the city walls of Sutri.
If you still have the energy, take a look around the old town and visit the Madonna del Parto chapel, an ancient pagan temple that was converted into a Christian church and has very interesting frescoes depicting wandering pilgrims!
Hotel (example): B&B Platea Cavour
Today is a long hike, but mostly along easy, quiet roads. At the exit of the town of Sutri, don't miss the great amphitheatre, one of the best preserved in Italy. Then continue southwards through a landscape full of testimonies to the glorious 2500 years of history: Etruscan heritage, Roman artefacts and Renaissance villas. The first parts are mainly through rolling hills, but with a tendency to go downhill. Halfway through the afternoon you'll pass the Monte Gelato waterfalls.
Then continue through the Veio Regional Park until you reach the village of Camapagnano Romano with a final steep climb, where you'll spend the night. Take a walk through the Venturi Park where you can rest under a 300-year-old yew tree known locally as the ‘Tree of Death’.
Hotel (example): Hotel Righetto
Today, another relatively long yet rewarding day of walking awaits you. Most of the route passes through Parco di Veio, a beautiful regional nature park north of Rome. The first part of the day’s stage takes you through peaceful forests and green landscapes, including the idyllic Valle del Sorbo and the atmospheric Madonna del Sorbo sanctuary.
Further along, the landscape becomes livelier and more populated as you pass through the charming medieval town of Formello. From here, the route continues towards the most fascinating part of the archaeological area of Veio, where you can take both shorter and longer detours to explore the historic surroundings in greater depth.
The day ends with yet another steep climb, and at the top awaits the village of Isola Farnese, beautifully situated on a ridge overlooking the Veio Valley. The village is dominated by the impressive Castello Farnese, from where you can enjoy magnificent views of forests, valleys, and the surrounding countryside.
Hotel (example): Tempio di Apollo
One final stretch of the Via Francigena will bring you to the ultimate destination of your journey. Tonight, you can celebrate your arrival in Rome! Naturally, the closer you get to the centre of Rome, the more urbanised the surroundings become. However, you may be surprised by how much nature you encounter today.
The route we have chosen takes you through a series of natural areas that quite literally extend into the heart of Rome. First, you pass through the unusual wilderness of the Insugherata Nature Reserve, before continuing through the nature reserve of Monte Mario, Rome’s very own mountain. From the Belvedere viewpoint on Monte Mario, you will catch your first glimpse of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica! From here, you descend to the Tiber River, which flows through the entire city. By following the pleasant walking and cycling path along the river, you will soon reach the heart of the city.
You pass by Castel Sant'Angelo, and suddenly find yourselves face to face with St. Peter's Basilica. The monumental Via della Conciliazione leads you to the grand square where thousands of pilgrims have gathered over the centuries. Take a photo, buy a postcard from Vatican City, and then take the time to relax – and enjoy the Eternal City!
Hotel (example): Hotel San Pietro
After breakfast you check out of the hotel.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
The price includes
ACCOMMODATION
- 8 nights in 3-star hotels
FOOD & DRINKS
- Breakfast every day
HIKING
- 7 days of hiking (approx. 150 km in total)
- Detailed descriptions of the carefully selected routes (route maps, route descriptions, information about relevant tourist attractions and important phone numbers – in English)
- Credenziale (pilgrim passport)
- Access to the route in our GPS app, which also works offline (one access per person)
- Option to receive GPX files for use in your own GPS
TRANSPORT
- Luggage transfer between the hotels
OTHER
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
GENERAL
- Transport to/from Italy
- Travel insurance
- Handling fee (€25)
REQUIRED AND PAID LOCALLY
- Any tourist taxes at the hotels
Use the button "Calculate price" on this page to see what the tour will cost with your wanted inclusions.
PARKING
It is possible to park at the first hotel or nearby. Parking cannot be reserved in advance and must be arranged directly with the hotel (expect a cost of approximately €10–20 per day).
Practical information
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill out any forms. Here’s how:
- Click on the "Calculate Price" button (you’ll find it in the "Dates and Prices" section) – this will take you to the first pages of the booking form
- Select your preferred date, number of people, room distribution, any extra nights, and any available add-ons you may want
- See the price
Get a quote
If you would like a flight included, or changes made to the trip, you can request a customized offer by clicking the "Get Quote" button at the top of the page. Remember to describe in detail what changes you would like.
The booking process
When you book the trip, we will begin booking hotels and arranging all the practical aspects of your tour. This process typically takes 5–8 working days, but in some cases it may take longer for certain bookings. If you arrange your own transportation, we recommend waiting until we have confirmed your booking before making any arrangements.
Dates
If you can select a date in the trip calendar (in the booking form), then this is a possible start date. We regularly update our trips with sold-out dates; these dates will then appear in red/grey and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Pisa or Rome are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
Get a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.
On this trip, you will stay in 3-star hotels where breakfast is included.
When booking, you can choose whether you want accommodation in a double room or a single room. Please note that if you are traveling alone, it is necessary to choose a single room.
Breakfast is included every day. It is easy to find both lunch and dinner in the towns along the route.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
This trip has difficulty level 2-3, which means that most hiking days are level 2, with a few at level 3.
Grade 2
Easier hikes on reasonably good trails. Daily hikes will last 4-6 hours in hilly terrain. Anyone in generally good physical condition can participate. Luggage is transported, and you only carry a light daypack. Requires well-fitting footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Grade 3
Hiking in mountainous terrain with longer ascents and descents. You will hike 5-7 hours a day. Requires generally good fitness and health, but no special technical skills or prior experience. Requires good shoes, such as trekking or mountain boots.
Read more about our grading system here.
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
Starting in 2025, travelers from visa-exempt countries will need an ESS or ETIAS authorization to enter EU nations. This system enhances border security while simplifying entry procedures. Ensure compliance by applying online before your trip to avoid delays.
You can read more about it here.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
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When you book a trip with us, we plant a tree in Kenya.
Bering Travel partners with Growing Trees Network, which has been planting trees in Kenya since 2020 in collaboration with Seniorer uden Grænser (Seniors Without Borders). The trees are planted with small-scale local farmers in the Mount Kenya region, as well as at schools, where the fruit helps supplement students’ diets and is incorporated into their learning.
The trees are planted using the shamba method – a sustainable approach that combines reforestation with agricultural crops. This keeps the soil covered with vegetation throughout the year, helping to prevent nutrient loss and reduce erosion.
The contribution to tree planting comes directly from Bering Travel’s own earnings and is not added to the price of your trip.
This initiative is not intended as a carbon offset for travel, but as a way to make a positive contribution.
"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"
