St Francis Way: Rieti to Rome

St Francis Way: Rieti to Rome

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8 Days From

$1390

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Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating journey along the St Francis Way from Rieti to Rome, tracing the steps of ancient pilgrims through the breathtaking Apennine mountains and Italy's best-preserved forests. This self-guided walking tour offers a blend of natural beauty and historical richness, with stops in the ancient towns of Rieti and Monterotondo, culminating in the Eternal City of Rome. Enjoy comfortable stays in charming hotels, B&Bs, and agriturismos, with luggage transfers and a digital information pack to guide your way. Delight in the serene landscapes, from olive groves to panoramic hilltop views, while immersing yourself in the rich cultural heritage of this timeless route. ...more ...less

Highlights

  • Following in the footsteps of pilgrims from centuries ago

  • Discovering the wild slopes of the Apennine mountains and the best preserved forests in Italy

  • Rieti and Monterotondo, ancient towns rich in history and Rome, the Eternal City

  • Arriving in Rieti, considered by Romans to be "the geographical centre of Italy"

  • Walking among rows of linden trees, fields, and streams along the ancient Via Salaria

  • Exploring the Roman amphitheatre and the Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria

  • Walking through olive groves and oak forests to the town of Nerola

  • Enjoying panoramic views extending to the hills of Sabina enroute to Palombara Sabina

Places You'll See

St Peter's Basilica Over The Aelian Bridge, Rome, Italy

Sunset View Over Piazza Navona In Rome, Italy

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrive Rieti

Location: Rieti

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Arrive in Rieti, considered by Romans to be “the geographical centre of Italy”. St Francis sojourned more than once in the valley surrounding this historical town, which is why it is known as “Valle Santa”, meaning “Holy Valley”.

Day 2 : Short Transfer To Maglianello Basso And Walk To Poggio San Lorenzo (6Hrs)

Location: Poggio San Lorenzo

Accommodation Name: Agriturismo

Meals Included: Breakfast

A short transfer this morning takes you to Maglianello Basso, the starting point of today's walk. Set off on foot among rows of linden trees, fields and streams along the ancient Via Salaria, which used to connect Rome to the Adriatic Sea. On your way there is a Roman bridge dating from the 4th century BC. Your destination is the pretty village of Poggio San Lorenzo. Overnight agriturismo. Dinner is available a la carte and will need to be paid for locally (not included in the price)
Walking: 18km/11.25mi, +459m/-360m.

Day 3 : Continue Past The Sanctuary Of Santa Vittoria To The Village Of Poggio Moiano (5Hrs)

Location: Poggio Moiano

Accommodation Name: Agriturismo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today you will walk from Poggio San Lorenzo to Poggio Moiano. Along the way you can see traces of the rich historical past of the region, including a Roman amphitheatre and the Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria. Your destination for today is the ancient hamlet of Poggio Moiano. Overnight agriturismo with dinner.
Walking: 10km/6.2mi, +470m/-468m

Day 4 : Walk Through Olive Groves To Nerola (6Hrs)

Location: Nerola

Accommodation Name: Agriturismo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

The walk takes you along secondary roads and dirt paths, among olive groves and oak forests, to the town of Nerola. Guarded by an imposing 10th century castle, Nerola was an outpost of the Papal State in the 1860s because the valley below the town was part of the Kingdom of Italy. In 1867 Garibaldi's failed attempt to conquer Rome began with the seizure of Nerola. Overnight agriturismo with dinner.
Walking: 14km/8.7mi, +431m/-515m

Day 5 : Enjoy Views Extending To The Hills Of Sabina Enroute To Palombara Sabina (7Hrs)

Location: Palombara Sabina

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Another great panoramic stage, taking you from Nerola to Palombara Sabina, with impressive views to the hills of Sabina. A little detour takes you to the village of Moricone, with another interesting castle that was built for defensive purposes. Own dinner arrangements this evening.
Walking: 22km/13.75mi, +775m/-845m

Day 6 : Walk To The Historic City Of Monterotondo (6Hrs)

Location: Monterotondo

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you'll be immersed in the rich nature of the Sabina area. At the end of your walk you have a special treat, Monterotondo, a city with an important historical heritage. Located on a hill, it dominates the river Tevere valley and is surrounded by vineyards that produce great wines.
Walking: 18km/11.25mi, +375m/-578m

Day 7 : Walk To Cesarina And Take The Bus And Subway To Rome (4Hrs)

Location: Rome

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

A shorter walk on an asphalt road will take you from Monterotondo to Cesarina. From here you can take a bus to the subway station that takes you to the Eternal City of Rome, the destination of thousands of pilgrims throughout the centuries.
Walking: 12.5km/7.8mi, +251m/-317m

Day 8 : Trip Concludes

Location: Rome

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

The trip concludes after breakfast. There’s much to see and do in Rome, if you’d like to
add any extra nights please ask for our rates.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    7 nights agriturismo/B&B's/hotels

  • 7 breakfasts, 2 dinners: Breakfasts are usually continental inclusive of breads, tea, coffee & juices. Dinner will consist of 3 courses, usually starting with a salad or pasta dish, followed by either a chicken, red meat or fish dish with seasonal vegetab

  • 7 nights in 3 star hotels, B&Bs or Agriturismo on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities.

  • Digital information pack including smartphone app with maps and route book

  • Luggage transfer (max 1 piece, max weight 20kg and max size 60 x 50 x 40 cm per person). Supplement applies for excess

  • Transfer from Santuario Santa Maria della Foresta to Rieti on day 6 and from Rieti to Maglianello Basso on day 2

  • St Francis Way pilgrim passport

  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to Rieti and from Rome

  • Meals not listed as included, drinks

  • Travel insurance - mandatory

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What's Not Included

  • Travel to Rieti and from Rome

    Travel to Rieti and from Rome is not included.

  • Meals Not Listed

    Meals not listed as included, such as lunch daily and dinners not noted as included, are excluded. Allow EUR20-25 for dinner and EUR5-10 for a picnic lunch.

  • Drinks

    Drinks are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included.

  • Guide

    This is a self-guided walking holiday; a guide is not included.

  • Single Room Supplement

    A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees to museums, galleries, etc., are not included.

  • Transfers Not Listed

    Transfers not listed as included are excluded.

  • Transfers to Skip a Stage

    Transfers if you need to skip a stage are not included.

  • Tourist Tax

    Tourist tax is not included. Allow EUR10 per person, payable directly to the hotel.

  • Subway and Bus Tickets

    Subway and bus tickets, such as those needed on day 7, are not included.

  • Excess Luggage

    Excess luggage is not included.

  • Items of a Personal Nature

    Items of a personal nature, including drinks, souvenirs, phone calls, internet, and laundry, are not included.

Grading

MODERATE – GRADE 3
This is a moderate grade walk along paths that are well defined and clearly marked. The whole itinerary is mainly on paths and gravel roads (strade bianche), and some sections on asphalted road. You should be able to walk for up to 22km per day although there are some options to shorten walks. The walks may in part be during hot sun on stony tracks. The Lazio landscape of rolling hills (although sometimes steep and long), olive groves and vineyards, are traversed each walking day.
A good level of fitness is required and prior experience is advisable. As with all of our trips it is important that you are well prepared. We suggest that you undertake regular exercise – swimming, cycling, and jogging, three to four times a week for three months prior to your departure.
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What You Carry

As the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, water bottle, lunch supplies, mobile phone and sun protection etc.

Mode of Transport

The tour includes transfers from Santuario Santa Maria della Foresta to Rieti on day 6 and from Rieti to Maglianello Basso on day 2, as well as luggage transfer (max 1 piece per person).

Accommodation

Enjoy 7 nights in comfortable 3-star hotels, charming B&Bs, or agriturismo accommodations, all on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?

    You will stay in 3-star hotels, B&Bs, or agriturismo on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    The tour includes 7 breakfasts and 2 dinners. Breakfasts are usually continental, inclusive of breads, tea, coffee, and juices. Dinner will consist of 3 courses, usually starting with a salad or pasta dish, followed by either a chicken, red meat, or fish dish with seasonal vegetables. ...more ...less

  • Is luggage transfer provided during the tour?

    Yes, luggage transfer is provided with a maximum of 1 piece per person, weighing up to 20kg and with maximum dimensions of 60 x 50 x 40 cm. A supplement applies for excess luggage.

  • What kind of support is available during the tour?

    An emergency hotline is available for support during the tour.

  • Is this a guided tour?

    No, this is a self-guided walking holiday. A digital information pack, including a smartphone app with maps and a route book, is provided per room booked.

  • What should I carry during the walks?

    As the walks are fully supported, you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements, including wet weather gear, water bottle, lunch supplies, mobile phone, and sun protection.

  • What is the difficulty level of the tour?

    The tour is graded as moderate (Grade 3). It involves walking on well-defined and clearly marked paths, gravel roads, and some sections on asphalted roads. You should be able to walk up to 22km per day, although there are options to shorten walks. A good level of fitness is required, and prior experience is advisable.

  • Are there any additional costs not included in the tour price?

    Yes, additional costs not included in the tour price are meals not listed as included, drinks, travel insurance, entrance fees, transfers not listed as included, tourist tax (allow EUR10 per person), subway and bus tickets (e.g., on day 7), excess luggage, and items of a personal nature.

  • What kind of terrain will we be walking on?

    The itinerary is mainly on paths and gravel roads (strade bianche), with some sections on asphalted roads. The Lazio landscape of rolling hills, olive groves, and vineyards is traversed each walking day.

  • What happens if I need to skip a stage of the walk?

    Transfers are available if you need to skip a stage, but this is not included in the tour price.

  • How fit do I have to be?

    Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.

  • What happens if something goes wrong?

    On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.

  • I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?

    Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

H. De Burgh(Newtown, NSW)  

St Francis Way: Rieti to Rome

24 Oct 2019

The Full St Francis Way trip with UTracks was yet another fabulous experience for me. Everything went like clockwork and when it didn't it was entirely my own fault! Got lost one day and had to be plucked out of my predicament UTracks' representatives in Italy, and it was done with great efficiency and no dramas! A wonderful month of walking in beautiful Italy to add to my two earlier experiences with UTracks on the Via Francigena from Gran San Bernardo Pass to Rome. Highly recommended. ...more ...less

A. Gammon(Bow, United Kingdom)  

St Francis Way: Rieti to Rome

29 Mar 2023

The walk from Rieti for three days was fabulous. Less keen on some bits of the walk for the last two days. Very beautiful to start.

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

St Francis Way: Rieti to Rome

8 Days Starting in Rieti, Italy and ending in Rome, Italy

Visiting: Rieti, Poggio San Lorenzo, Poggio Moiano, Nerola, Palombara Sabina, Monterotondo, Rome

Tour operator:

UTracks

Tour code:

SW5

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

moderate

Tour operated in:

English
From: $1390 (USD)

NB: Prices correct on 22-Feb-2025 but subject to change.