Stroll
Via Francigena Camino Italy: Last 100km to Rome - 8 Days

Via Francigena Camino Italy: Last 100km to Rome - 8 Days

8 Days
Moderate

Overview

Walk the final stage of one of the world's great routes on this journey into the Eternal City, following the last 100 kilometres of the Via Francigena from the medieval lakeside town of Montefiascone to Rome. First documented by Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury in 994 AD, this ancient path has carried sovereigns, emperors, clergy and commoners to the gates of Rome for over a millennium. The walk follows ancient Roman roads through the Etrurian landscape, past the volcanic shores of Lake Bolsena, through the medieval streets of Viterbo and on through forests, parishes and hilltop towns before Rome finally appears on the horizon. Few walks in the world end with a finale quite like this one.

The total distance walked is closer to 130 kilometres, with the route simply taking its name from the popular tradition of walking the last 100 kilometres to Rome. Shorter daily options are available on most stages.

Highlights

  • Walk on the Via Francigena and visit the Cistercian Abbey of St Martins in Cimino
  • Visit the ancient stone theatre carved into the rock at Forcassi
  • Explore fascinating landscapes, the Italian countryside and historical sites along the way, including the Necropolis – the Fortress of the Popes
  • Walk via nature reserves, including the regional park of the ancient city of Sutri and its Roman amphitheatre
  • Walk into Rome to the Piazza San Petro and enjoy all the other amazing Roman buildings, including the Colosseum
  • Stay in comfortable, family-run accommodations and enjoy delicious Italian culinary specialties

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers

Meals

6 breakfasts, 1 lunches, and 1 dinners

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

3

Stroll Walking Grade

Moderate

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Expect some hills and longer walking days. A reasonable level of fitness will help you enjoy the experience.

View Fitness Guide

6

Days on the trail

18-38 km

Average per walking day

125-650 m

Gain per day

5/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Nights are spent in small family-run boutique guesthouses and three-star hotels, each chosen for their character, location and connection to the region. Your hosts are genuinely knowledgeable about the history and culture of the towns you pass through and are always happy to share recommendations. Occasional substitutions of equivalent quality may be made — these will always be discussed during the booking process.

What You'll Eat

Seven breakfasts, one picnic lunch and one dinner are included throughout the walk. On all other days, lunch and dinner are yours to explore independently, with cafes, food stores and excellent restaurants available in the towns along the route. Your hosts will happily provide a list of local dining recommendations each evening. Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking — if you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended.


More About This Trip

The walk starts in Montefiascone and finishes in Rome. The most convenient airports are Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA), from where trains reach Orvieto in around 1 to 1.5 hours, with a bus or taxi onward to Montefiascone taking around 25 minutes. Florence (FLR) is a well-connected alternative, with trains to Orvieto in around 2 hours. Book Italian rail tickets in advance through Trenitalia.

The walk ends in Rome, which has extensive onward rail and air connections worldwide. Remember to stamp your ticket at the platform machine before boarding any train in Italy.


This walk is available from 1 March to 31 October, with no fixed start days. Spring and autumn are the finest seasons. Spring brings mild temperatures and comfortable conditions for long walking days through the Lazio countryside. July and August can see afternoon temperatures well into the 30s on exposed stretches with little shade, so early starts are essential. Autumn coincides with truffle season, the olive harvest and the wine harvest, making it a particularly rewarding time to walk. September and October bring quieter paths and golden light on the final approach to Rome.

This walk is graded moderate. Daily walks average around 21 kilometres with up to 300 metres of ascent and descent. Trails are well-defined and varied, taking in forest tracks, gravel paths, rolling farmland, and vineyards, with some short steep sections and occasional rough surfaces underfoot. As is common throughout Italy, dedicated footpaths are not always available, so some road walking is unavoidable. Please remain mindful of other road users at all times. Good walking boots are essential. A regular walking routine of two to three times per week in the months before departure is advisable preparation. Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

Travel insurance is required for all Stroll walking holidays, covering cancellation costs, loss of luggage and injury. For international trips, your policy must also include medical evacuation coverage. A cancellation fee applies if you cancel after your holiday has been confirmed.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

July 2026

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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Via Francigena reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

The Via Francigena is one of Europe's great ancient pilgrimage routes, stretching from Canterbury in England to Rome. Stroll offers several sections of this historic walk, ranging from alpine stages through Switzerland and northern Italy to the rolling hills of Tuscany, and the final 100km into Rome through the ancient Etruscan countryside. Each section is distinct in character — the alpine itineraries involve mountain passes and valley descents, while the Tuscan and Roman sections move through cypress-lined roads, medieval hilltop towns, and open farmland.

Your main luggage is transported between accommodations each day, so you only carry a daypack on the walk. One bag per person is included, with a maximum weight of 20kg and maximum dimensions of 65 x 50 x 40cm. Bags should be clearly labelled with your name and the name of your next accommodation, and left at reception by 8:30–9:00 AM. They'll be delivered to your next property by 4:00 PM. Do not pack valuables in your transferred luggage — the transfer service cannot be held responsible for the contents. Carry cash, cards, medication, and important documents in your daypack at all times. On some days (notably Day 2 of the Lucca to Siena itinerary), you'll need to take your luggage with you on a train transfer — your walk notes will flag when this applies.

A comfortable daypack is essential. Key items include well-worn waterproof walking boots (never use new footwear on this walk), a rain jacket or poncho, warm layer, sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, at least 1.5 litres of water, snacks and lunch supplies, a personal first aid kit including blister treatment and painkillers, your identification and insurance details, and cash. Walking poles are strongly recommended — two poles are ideal and make a real difference on both ascents and long descents, protecting your joints and improving balance on uneven terrain.

The Via Francigena passes through countless churches, abbeys, and sacred sites that are central to the pilgrimage tradition. Dress modestly — covered shoulders and knees are generally expected when entering religious buildings. Speak quietly, be respectful of any services in progress, and follow any posted guidelines about photography.

Tipping is not obligatory in Italy or Switzerland, but a small gesture is always appreciated for good service — rounding up a restaurant bill or leaving a few Euros is perfectly appropriate. There are no fixed expectations.

The Via Francigena passes through communities with a strong sense of local identity and pride. Support local businesses where you can — eat at family-run restaurants, buy from local shops, and engage respectfully with the people you meet along the way. The route has been walked by pilgrims for over a thousand years, and many of the communities along it are deeply connected to that tradition. A respectful and curious approach goes a long way.

Flag any allergies or dietary needs at the time of booking and remind your hosts again at check-in. The route passes through areas with deeply traditional cuisine where complex dietary requirements can be harder to accommodate. If your needs are specific, bring supplementary snacks from home. Most towns along the route have food shops and supermarkets where you can pick up supplies, and your hosts will always have restaurant recommendations for evenings when dinner isn't included.

Very much so, particularly if your walk ends in Rome. Arriving in the Eternal City after days or weeks on the road is a remarkable experience, and a few extra days to explore properly is highly recommended. Stroll can arrange additional nights in Rome, Siena, Montefiascone, or other end points depending on your itinerary.

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The Via Francigena Experience

Wonder
Follow Archbishop Sigeric’s ancient pilgrimage through Val d’Elsa hilltop villages
See Lucca’s Volto Santo, then wander to San Gimignano’s medieval towers
Arrive in Rome via Monte Mario Belvedere and Piazza San Pietro
Wellness
Moderate graded trails through Val d’Elsa vineyards, olive fields and forest
Revive weary legs with a dip beneath Monte Gelato waterfalls
Family-run boutique B&Bs, generous breakfasts and Tuscan culinary specialities nightly
Nature
Volcanic ridgelines above Bolsena Lake and the plain below the Cimini Mountains
Streamside paths, shaded forests and serene country trails towards Rome
Etruscan thermal pools at Caldane and wooded Renai Forest approaches

From

£900/person