Cycling the Via Francigena from Siena to Rome

Day 1: Siena
Your journey will start in Siena, one of the most beautiful cities along the Via Francigena, famous for its Palio: you will be able to spend the day walking through its paved streets, looking for coats-of-arms on the walls of the contradas, or climbing the Torre del Mangia to enjoy a unique view over the roofs of the city; not to be missed is a visit of the Duomo,
which will impress you with its amazing black and white columns. If you are lucky you will be able to witness a festival in one of the contradas, and see the work of the skilled flag-throwers, before sitting down at a table in Piazza del Campo to enjoy a plate of pici all’aglione for dinner, admiring the illuminated Palazzo Pubblico.

Day 2: Siena – San Quirico d’Orcia (54 km; +650/-490 m)
Let’s hope that the sun will be shining during the first day of your journey, because the Crests of the Val d’Arbia offer unforgettable views. After saying goodbye to Siena, resting on the hills on the horizon, you will travel along the typical dirt roads of Siena as far as the fortified village of Lucignano, with its fine Church. At the gates of Monteroni d’Arbia you will be able to admire the impressive Grancia di Cuna, a fortified farm which held the reserves of wheat destined to the Republic of Siena. From Lucignano you will continue your journey through the Valle dell’Ombrone to Buonconvento. You will cross the gate of the walls and enter the fine old town centre of the village, discovering why its name means happy fortunate place, before jumping again on your bicycle and continue towards San Quirico on dirt roads and some asphalted ones: you will be compensated by the beautiful views of the Val D’Orcia, among hills tinted with charming shades and scattered with vineyards and cypress trees. At San Quirico you will stand enchanted before the gate of the Collegiata, trying to spot the various architectural styles that blend into its decorations, before enjoying a rest among the green hedges of the Horti Leonini, a fifteenth century garden.

Day 3: San Quirico d’Orcia – Radicofani (37 km; +650/-650 m)
You will continue your journey across the fabulous views of the Val D’Orcia: just after San Quirico you will enter a timeless world visiting Vignoni Alto, and you will be able to enjoy a reinvigorating rest in the thermal waters of Bagno Vignoni. Today you will test your strength with a short but demanding leg of your journey which will take you as far as Radicofani: stick it out because admiring the view from the Radicofani fortress, tired but satisfied, will repay all your efforts. You will also be able to visit the Pieve di San Pietro, a little jewel dating back to the thirteenth century, and take an evening walk in its old town centre, admiring the magic of the illuminated Fortress.

Day 4: Radicofani – Bolsena (55 km; +840/-610 m)
From Radicofani you will walk towards one of the most exciting sections of the Via Francigena, leaving the fortress behind you and travelling along the old Via Cassia, surrounded by scenery of infinite hills dominated by Monte Amiata. You will be able to walk in silence in the Romanesque crypt beneath the Basilica del Santo Sepolcro, among decorated capitals and arches. Here, according to tradition, some stones bathed in the blood of Christ are supposed to have been kept. Your journey will continue gently as far as the first views of Lake Bolsena: from there you will descend into a volcanic crater and you will continue along dirt tracks, alternating thick woods with meadows scattered with olive trees, as far as Bolsena. If you are curious to see proof of the miracle of the Corpus Domini, for which Bolsena is famous, in the Cappella del Miracolo some marble slabs stained by the blood pouring from a Host in the thirteen century are kept. If, instead, you are more interested in the typical cuisine. you can taste the products offered by the lake, such as the Sbroscia, a typical soup made from lake fish and tomatoes.

Day 5: Bolsena – Viterbo (33 km; +545/-420 m)
You will continue through woods and olive groves, on a route that will offer constant views of the lake. You will cross an area famous for the production of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which we recommend you taste on the a piece of fragrant local bread before arriving in Montefiascone: not to be missed, a climb up to the Rocca, where you will be enchanted before boundless views. After descending from the Rocca, you can go into a typical wine bar and taste a glass of Est!Est!!Est!!!, which is even better here because it is zero km. If you want to spoil yourself a little more, you will be able to enjoy a pleasant halt at the spas of Bagnaccio, recharging your batteries in its thermal waters before proceeding towards Viterbo, which is your final destination today. Do not miss visiting the picturesque pilgrim’s quarter, before admiring the splendid Palazzo dei Papi and enjoying the silence of the Longobard cloisters of Santa Maria Nuova. And to end on a sweet note, celebrate the end of the day with the delicious local frittellacce!

Day 6: Viterbo – Sutri (38 km; +420/-510 m)
From Viterbo the journey continues towards Vetralla, town in the heart of the ancient Etrurian territory. You later continue through the green countryside of Lazio and you come to Sutri, a small town rich in attractions. The Roman amphitheatre, completely dug out from the tufo, is something not to be missed. Decide whether to sit on the terraces or to get up onto the stage, but as you leave, remember to sign the visitors’ register: it is very important for the custodian, and if he is there he will invite you to do so. After this, proceed to the church of Santa Maria del Parto, the tufo walls of which are decorated in well preserved frescoes. Look for the group of pilgrims among the images, depicted in prayer with sticks in their hand.

Day 7: Sutri – Formello (34 km; +534/-590 m)
From Sutri we go on towards Campagnano and Formello: during the journey you will flank the Mount
Gelato Waterfalls, where you can stop for a reinvigorating dip. A panoramic road of the Veio Nature Park will bring you to the gates of Campagnano. Here you can rest in the Venturi Park, the home of a three-hundred year old Yew tree the locals call the Tree of Death: but don’t worry, you can sit in its shade without any danger! You will continue through the Veio nature park with its woody hills, before entering the enchanting Valle del Sorbo. Along the way you will be able to admire the sanctuary of the Madonna del Sorbo and later arrive to Formello, with its medieval buildings.

Day 8: Formello – Roma (34 km; +155/-280 m)
Get back on the saddle and face the last leg of your
journey which separates you from the Eternal City. The leg continues across the countryside of Lazio, but you could never guess to be so close to a metropolis. You will have to cross a brief trait of trafficked roads to reach the cycle path of River Tevere, an enchanting slow path which will lead you to the gates of Vatican City, where you will be able to end your journey in St. Peter’s Square. Do not forget to take a triumphant photograph in front of the Basilica, before celebrating the end of the journey fortifying yourselves with spring lamb, pecorino romano cheese, and perhaps a delicious maritozzo with cream…you’ve deserved it!

Day 9: Rome
After breakfast end of services.