What you get on this adventure: Self-guided tour of Via Francigena from Viterbo to Rome Pre-departure virtual meeting Breakfasts Accommodation during the tour (2-3* hotels or B&Bs or equivalent) Downloadable walking notes and vouchers with all the information about your accommodation Pilgrim pack 24/7 Customer service What’s not included: Transportation to and from the starting/end point Insurance Luggage transfers — available upon request Lunch, dinners, and drinks — available upon request Premium accommodation — available upon request Airport pick-up — available upon request Additional nights — available upon request Day tours — available upon request If you have any special dietary requirements, let us know in time so we can make arrangements. Please remember to mention it once again upon check-in, it’s always best to double check.

How fit do I need to be?

The most important thing about walking the Via Francigena from Viterbo to Rome is that you enjoy the journey at your own pace . Whether you’re a very fast or a slow walker, we encourage you to enjoy the trail. Having said that, being in good walking shape and having solid hiking experience is still required (even though the trails have plenty of opportunities to rest and recover!) You’ll be doing between 18 and 28 km a day (11 to 17 miles) with little elevation changes and while carrying a daypack of things you might need on the trail. You’ll be walking for 5 consecutive days. Hiking consecutive full days can be quite strenuous. In preparation for your hike, we recommend doing some 5-10 mile (8-16 km) walks – including some uphills and downhills with a loaded backpack.

When will I receive information about my accommodation and route?

You’ll be sent the walking notes and vouchers and you’ll have a virtual pre-departure face to face meeting. The walking notes are here to assist you. Although the Via Francigena is pretty well-marked, there are sometimes variations on the routes or some of them are more difficult to follow than the others. We recommend that you always familiarize yourself with the daily journey ahead. The vouchers contain all the information about your confirmed accommodation —there will be an address, their phone number, any special instructions on how to get there, and a small map. You will find a 24/7 support phone number on the bottom of each voucher. Keep in mind that there’s no need to print out the vouchers , as your reservations will be confirmed.

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of clothing we recommend bringing: Hiking clothes made from quick-drying fabrics (avoid cotton) Leisure clothing and footwear for the evenings Spare clothes for layering Waterproof rain jacket Fleece pullover or jacket Quick-dry short-sleeved and long-sleeved tops Quick–dry walking pants (consider the ones that zip off to make shorts) Waterproof pants — optional (unless it’s very cold, it’s usually best to hike in shorts, but feel free to bring these pants if you’d feel more comfortable) Hiking boots or shoes Hiking socks Sunhat Gloves Here’s a list of other equipment we suggest you bring: Daypack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (10-15L) Hydration bladder or a water bottle Sunglasses Hiking poles — optional Earplugs — optional Basic first aid essentials, such as blister protection Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, etc.) Camera — optional (but recommended)

What does a self-guided tour entail?

By going on a self-guided tour, you’re able to walk the Via Francigena at your own pace and enjoy the journey without worrying about the logistics of it all. The guiding company who put this all together is Follow the Camino. They’ve been leading pilgrims along their journeys since 2007 and they were the first ever operator to organize tours along Camino de Santiago. There are many perks of choosing a self-guided tour. Apart from not having to adjust to the group, you’ll have the accommodation, breakfasts and route instructions sorted . You’ll be staying in carefully-selected 2-3* hotels and guesthouses and there’s no need to print out anything upon checking-in—your guides booked and arranged everything for you, all you have to do is show your I.D. This is a hassle-free trip so if you want to focus on enjoying your hiking pilgrimage in the Italian bucolic countryside, these self-guided tours are the perfect match.

What will the accommodation be like?

Accommodation for the duration of your tour is based on a number of criteria, including location, comfort, services, price, and character. Your guides will always try to book something that is in the historical center of the town you’ll stay in. Expect 2* or a 3* hotels or guesthouses with an included breakfast . If you want premium accommodations, you can contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

What about my luggage?

Luggage transfers are not included in the price of this tour, but your tour operator can help you find the best solution and organize transfers upon booking. Here is some general advice if you’re doing it on your own: The luggage transfer is usually limited to 1 bag per person with a maximum weight of 15 kg per bag. Boots or smaller bags attached to the main bag count as an extra bag and will be charged accordingly. Always write your trip reference and your mobile phone number on your bag.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing It’s possible to arrange self-guided tours for both solo travelers as well as large groups. The cost does not decrease as the group grows. Hiking the last section of Via Francigena can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Viterbo, the starting point of the tour, most people first fly into Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport . From there, you can easily get to Viterbo by train. There is a train line connecting the airport and the Rome Trastevere station, which has an hourly line stopping in Viterbo (Viterbo Porta Romana station). The entire journey from Rome to Viterbo should not take you longer than 3 hours. Upon your arrival, check into your accommodation in the afternoon.

Safety measures along Via Francigena in Italy

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the trail, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

Unrecognizable full body Latin woman traveler tourist in Altar of Fatherland in Rome, Italy during vacation

Capranica hilltop village in Lazio, Italy.

Rome’s Sain Peter’s Basilica during sunset..

Italian town of Sutri, with a tall bell tower, seen during the Via Francigena walk.

Bearded male tourist in red top and shorts, wearing sunglasses sitting on concrete wall in front of historical structure Colosseum, resting elbow on backpack and holding map, looking into distance at beautiful sceneries

Via Francigena sign by the sea, in Lazio, Italy.

Monte Gelato Waterfall, seen during the via Francigena walk.

Monte Mario Park in Rome, with characteristic pines and views of Saint Peter’s Basilica.

Ruins of an ancient amphitheater in Sutri, Italy.

Street in the town of Vetralla, near Rome.

The Via Francigena that led from Canterbury to Rome is an itinerary of history, a route traveled in the past by thousands of pilgrims traveling to Rome. Here is a milestone in his journey in Tuscany, in the province of Siena, near San Gimignano

VIA FRANCIGENA | ITALY

Self-Guided Via Francigena Walk: Last 70 Miles to Rome

5.00 ()

Season

Year-round, but mostly March through November

Duration

7 days

Accommodation

2* or 3* hotels or B&Bs

Difficulty

Self-guided tour

Includes accommodation, extensive route notes, and 24-hour support

Guide

Follow the Camino

Questions, additional dates, private groups

Book a call

From $860 () / 7 days

Book now

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Reviews
Things to know

All roads lead to Rome, including the 1,300-year-old Via Francigena. This is exactly how you’ll get to the Eternal City—walking the last 70 miles of this ancient route! Once traversed by pilgrims en route to the Holy Land and the tombs of Saint Peter and Paul, it’s a living testament of European history, blending stunning landscapes with rich cultural heritage. Picture yourself meandering through the picturesque Central Italian countryside, passing by charming medieval towns and ancient archaeological sites that whisper tales of bygone eras. And let’s not forget about the culinary delights that await you along the way! Join this week-long self-guided Via Francigena walk and become a part of history yourself.

Adventure highlights

Tradition spanning over a millennium

Via Francigena was first documented in 725AD!
Gorgeous scenery

You’ll encounter rolling hills, olive groves, forests, rivers, a waterfall and so much more on your way to Rome!
Italian culture

From vineyards to hilltop villages; from archeological sites to the birthplace of Latin culture—you’ll experience it all

Itinerary

Walk in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims along the historic Via Francigena on this self-guided adventure from Viterbo to Rome. Over seven days and 70 miles, immerse yourself in the rich history and stunning landscapes of Central Italy. From fortified towns to ancient ruins, each day brings new discoveries. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and breakfast provided, with detailed walking notes for each leg of the journey and 24-hour customer support. And finally, experience the magic of the Eternal City as you conclude your pilgrimage at the iconic St. Peter's Square.

Upon your arrival in Viterbo, check into your accommodation. You will stay in a traditional hotel in the heart of the town. Viterbo is a city of ancient origin and historical traditions, lying close to the Cimini Mountains, between the Lakes of Bolsena and Vico. The city offers many alternatives from art to traditional cuisine, from medieval and renaissance architecture to thermal spas nearby.
Leaving Viterbo, you will take on country lanes that pass through vineyards and olive groves. Along the route and not far from the city, it may be possible to visit an ancient Etruscan tomb. The rest of the road proceeds smoothly through fields and woods to Vetralla, a fortified town in the heart of the ancient Etruscan territories.

Meals: Breakfast
Mileage: 18 km / 11 miles
From Vetralla, you pass through a forest to the Church of the Virgin of Loreto. Then you walk through extensive hazel groves, passing monumental oaks, to arrive at the Orlando towers, ruins of an ancient monastery. You continue to the charming town of Capranica, and you finally reach the walled town of Sutri, known for its Etruscan amphitheater and archaeological park.

Meals: Breakfast
Mileage: 22 km / 14 miles
You start by walking along country lanes and tracks to the village of Monterosi, near a beautiful lake with an expanse of water lilies. You then continue your journey through fields to Monte Gelato waterfall in a park area where you can rest and have a refreshing paddle. Then you enter Veio Park, a protected area, and you follow a riverside track through woodland to the hilltop town of Campagnano.

Meals: Breakfast
Mileage: 28 km / 17 miles
Leaving Campagnano you have panoramic views over the beautiful countryside of Lazio before entering Veio Park where you can visit the Sanctuary of Madonna Del Sorbo. You then pass through the walled old town of Formello and you take tracks through fields down to the river Valchetta, and on to charming Isola Farnese and onwards to La Storta.

Meals: Breakfast
Mileage: 21 km / 13 miles
This last walking stage of your trip crosses the suburbs that lead to the center of Rome. You also pass through Monte Mario Park where you have amazing views of the entire city of Rome and can admire for the first time the dome of St Peter’s church. Then you descend to St Peter’s square – your final goal!

Meals: Breakfast
Mileage: 20 km / 12 miles
Your adventure officially finishes after breakfast. However, on the last day you can explore the ancient city and its many churches. As you will have walked the Way of St Francis (Via Francigena) be sure to visit the Basilica of St John Lateran where, in the 4th chapel, there is a painting of St Francis receiving the stigmata and also in the park outside there is a large statue of St Francis that if you stand behind at a certain distance it looks as if St Francis is holding up the church. You can extend your stay here for a few days to give you time to see some of the magnificent art and architecture of the city. Contact us prior to booking so that we can book your accommodation for a few nights longer.

Meals: Breakfast

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Meet your guide

5.00

Follow the Camino

Follow the Camino has been leading the way since 2007 and was the first-ever tour operator to lead along Camino de Santiago. They’ve been making the Camino more accessible, enjoyable, and achievable for thousands of pilgrims and travelers from all around the world. Their focus is on respecting this ancestral pilgrimage, its spirit, and its values.

5.00 (1 reviews)

Via Francigena - a great 5 day walk ending in historic Rome!

John F (October 2022, source: Tripadvisor)

It was a great 5 days walking, and our group of 5 all felt it was a moderate to tough walk at times. Early October – Good time of year to walk 23-25 degrees each day..wonderful towns and villages along the way. Via Francigena was not busy and the terrain was hard on the feet ( some blisters!) at times, so definitely wear good walking shoes.. Take a stick for some of the climbs and surfaces. There are often 2 routes out of the towns and we always took the more scenic route which meant we covered 127km and not the 110k advertised. Signposts were pretty good all the way and we are glad we forwarded our big luggage each day.
Overall a great walk ending in historic Rome!. We stayed on for 3 days to see some sights and do some more walking !!.

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - Self-guided tour of Via Francigena from Viterbo to Rome
  - Pre-departure virtual meeting
  - Breakfasts
  - Accommodation during the tour (2-3* hotels or B&Bs or equivalent)
  - Downloadable walking notes and vouchers with all the information about your accommodation
  - Pilgrim pack
  - 24/7 Customer service
What’s not included:
- - Transportation to and from the starting/end point
  - Insurance
  - Luggage transfers — available upon request
  - Lunch, dinners, and drinks — available upon request
  - Premium accommodation — available upon request
  - Airport pick-up — available upon request
  - Additional nights — available upon request
  - Day tours — available upon request
If you have any special dietary requirements, let us know in time so we can make arrangements. Please remember to mention it once again upon check-in, it’s always best to double check.
The most important thing about walking the Via Francigena from Viterbo to Rome is that you enjoy the journey at your own pace. Whether you’re a very fast or a slow walker, we encourage you to enjoy the trail. Having said that, being in good walking shape and having solid hiking experience is still required (even though the trails have plenty of opportunities to rest and recover!)

You’ll be doing between 18 and 28 km a day (11 to 17 miles) with little elevation changes and while carrying a daypack of things you might need on the trail. You’ll be walking for 5 consecutive days.

Hiking consecutive full days can be quite strenuous. In preparation for your hike, we recommend doing some 5-10 mile (8-16 km) walks – including some uphills and downhills with a loaded backpack.
You’ll be sent the walking notes and vouchers and you’ll have a virtual pre-departure face to face meeting. The walking notes are here to assist you. Although the Via Francigena is pretty well-marked, there are sometimes variations on the routes or some of them are more difficult to follow than the others. We recommend that you always familiarize yourself with the daily journey ahead.

The vouchers contain all the information about your confirmed accommodation—there will be an address, their phone number, any special instructions on how to get there, and a small map. You will find a 24/7 support phone number on the bottom of each voucher. Keep in mind that there’s no need to print out the vouchers, as your reservations will be confirmed.
Here’s a list of clothing we recommend bringing:
- - Hiking clothes made from quick-drying fabrics (avoid cotton)
  - Leisure clothing and footwear for the evenings
  - Spare clothes for layering
  - Waterproof rain jacket
  - Fleece pullover or jacket
  - Quick-dry short-sleeved and long-sleeved tops
  - Quick–dry walking pants (consider the ones that zip off to make shorts)
  - Waterproof pants — optional (unless it’s very cold, it’s usually best to hike in shorts, but feel free to bring these pants if you’d feel more comfortable)
  - Hiking boots or shoes
  - Hiking socks
  - Sunhat
  - Gloves
Here’s a list of other equipment we suggest you bring:
- - Daypack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (10-15L)
  - Hydration bladder or a water bottle
  - Sunglasses
  - Hiking poles — optional
  - Earplugs — optional
  - Basic first aid essentials, such as blister protection
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, etc.)
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
By going on a self-guided tour, you’re able to walk the Via Francigena at your own pace and enjoy the journey without worrying about the logistics of it all. The guiding company who put this all together is Follow the Camino. They’ve been leading pilgrims along their journeys since 2007 and they were the first ever operator to organize tours along Camino de Santiago.

There are many perks of choosing a self-guided tour. Apart from not having to adjust to the group, you’ll have the accommodation, breakfasts and route instructions sorted. You’ll be staying in carefully-selected 2-3* hotels and guesthouses and there’s no need to print out anything upon checking-in—your guides booked and arranged everything for you, all you have to do is show your I.D.

This is a hassle-free trip so if you want to focus on enjoying your hiking pilgrimage in the
Italian bucolic countryside, these self-guided tours are the perfect match.
Accommodation for the duration of your tour is based on a number of criteria, including location, comfort, services, price, and character. Your guides will always try to book something that is in the historical center of the town you’ll stay in. Expect 2* or a 3* hotels or guesthouses with an included breakfast.

If you want premium accommodations, you can contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Luggage transfers are not included in the price of this tour, but your tour operator can help you find the best solution and organize transfers upon booking. Here is some general advice if you’re doing it on your own:
- - The luggage transfer is usually limited to 1 bag per person with a maximum weight of 15 kg per bag.
  - Boots or smaller bags attached to the main bag count as an extra bag and will be charged accordingly.
  - Always write your trip reference and your mobile phone number on your bag.
Group sizes and pricing
- - It’s possible to arrange self-guided tours for both solo travelers as well as large groups. The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
Hiking the last section of Via Francigena can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Viterbo, the starting point of the tour, most people first fly into Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport. From there, you can easily get to Viterbo by train. There is a train line connecting the airport and the Rome Trastevere station, which has an hourly line stopping in Viterbo (Viterbo Porta Romana station).

The entire journey from Rome to Viterbo should not take you longer than 3 hours. Upon your arrival, check into your accommodation in the afternoon.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.

With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the trail, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to.

If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
A non-refundable 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 2 months (60 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
- - If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to sixty (60) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund minus the deposit.
  - For cancellations fifteen (15) to fifty-nine (59) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
  - After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.
Client can transfer their booking to a person who satisfies all the requirements, having first given the Guide reasonable notice in writing to do so before the departure date (such notice must be given more than 21 days prior to the date of departure). Client who transfers the Booking shall be jointly and severally liable with the transferee to the Guide for the payment of any balance due in respect of the holiday and for a substitution fee of €30.00 per person substituted, subject to a maximum of €120.00 per booking (or such other greater sum as may be authorized).