Via Francigena: Orvieto to Rome

Via Francigena: Orvieto to Rome

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10 Days From

$1420

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Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey along Stage 8 of the Via Francigena from Orvieto to Rome, traversing Italy's stunning landscapes and historic towns. This self-guided walking tour takes you through the picturesque towns of Orvieto, Viterbo, and Rome, with highlights including Lake Bolsena, ancient Etruscan villages, and the Roman amphitheatre in the Regional Park of Sutri. Enjoy the charm of small, family-run accommodations and savor delicious regional specialties. The sense of achievement as you enter Rome and reach St. Peter's Cathedral is unparalleled. With a digital information pack, luggage transfer, and emergency support, this tour offers a perfect blend of adventure and comfort. ...more ...less

Highlights

  • Stage 8 of the Via Francigena in Italy

  • Visiting the beautiful towns of Orvieto, Viterbo, and Rome

  • Exploring the spectacular landscapes and fascinating countryside including Lake Bolsena and the tuff gorges

  • Walking through charming ancient Etruscan villages and historical sites

  • Discovering the Regional Park of Sutri and its Roman amphitheatre

  • The sense of achievement entering Rome to reach St. Peter's Cathedral

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 Orvieto (Or Acquapendente)

Corrado

Location: Orvieto

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Today you will need to make your own way to the first hotel in Orvieto. Orvieto is a beautiful town sitting atop a tufaceous cliff in the middle of the Umbrian countryside. There are many interesting sites to visit including the impressive Cathedral or Duomo, a work of architecture and religious harmony considered to be among the most important in Italy. The medieval town centre is well-preserved and the underground city set deep in the tufa (volcanic rock) can be visited with a guide. The multitude of secret passageways and tunnels will remind you of the vast history of this town. Enjoy dinner and a glass of the local great wine in one of the many restaurants in town.
*Alternatively if you are continuing on from the previous section from Siena you may walk from Acquapendente, where the Southern Tuscany section finishes.
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Day 2 : Descend To Bolsena (5Hr)

Location: Bolsena

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

If you're starting in Orvieto the walk begins at the Duomo and crosses the whole old town. You'll soon enter the countryside and pass a recently discovered Etruscan necropolis. Some trails are on quiet asphalted roads and will bring you to the other side of an ancient crater with exceptional panoramic views over the Bolsena Lake.
If you're starting in Acquapendente you'll walk across a plain to reach the village of San Lorenzo Nuovo, which is located on the edge of the ancient crater, before continuing on a gradual descent to Bolsena.
Whatever your starting point, your destination for today is the charming old town of Bolsena on the banks of the beautiful lake of volcanic origin. Bolsena is known for the miracle of Corpus Domini.
Distance: 16km/10mi, ascent: 535m/1755ft, descent: 526m/1725ft.
The walk from Acquapendente is 22.8km/14.25mi, Ascent: 220m/721ft, Descent: 290m/951ft and will take between 7-8hr

Day 3 : Walk Along The Crest Of Hills To Montefiascone (5Hrs)

Location: Montefiascone

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you will walk from Bolsena, following along the crest of the hills surrounding the eastern part of the lake. You'll walk along parts of the ancient Roman Via Cassia. This afternoon you will arrive in Montefiascone, a lovely village in a prominent location with great panoramic views over the lake, the surrounding plain and the Cimini Mountains. The Fortress of the Popes in Montefiascone is well-worth a visit. Overnight in Montefiascone.
Distance: 18km/11.2mi, ascent: 603m/1978ft, descent: 329m/1080ft

Day 4 : Continue To Viterbo (6Hrs)

Location: Viterbo

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

The route to Viterbo today is along the plain that divides the Bolsena Lake from the Cimini Mountains. You'll be able to see the outline of the hills as you walk, as they border the whole territory. There are no residental areas along the route today but there are some old drinking fountains. When you arrive in Viterbo this afternoon you can take some time to visit the charming old town.
Distance: 18km/11mi, ascent: 174m/571ft, descent: 430m/1410ft.

Day 5 : Through Etruscan Countryside To Vetralla (8Hrs)

Location: Vetralla

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

The medieval walls, the seven entrances to the old town, the churches and the aristocratic palaces of Viterbo are must-sees before setting out today. There are no villages along today's standard route, as you walk through the countryside and forests and pass an Etruscan underground tomb. By choosing to walk the official, more challenging route through the forest and along the slopes of the Cimini Mountains, you will pass by the village of San Martino al Cimino. Reach the gates of Vetralla, where you can visit the ruins of the Pieve of Saint Marie di Forcassi, a typical example of the architecture of the area. Dinner and overnight in Vetralla.
Distance: 21km/13mi, ascent: 548m/1798ft, descent: 548m/1798ft.

Day 6 : Walk To Sutri Via The Tiny Village Of Capranica (7Hrs)

Location: Sutri

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The walk today is quite long so we recommend leaving early. From Vetralla you'll walk along the volcano side of a crater which was once occupied by Lake Vico. You'll continue through Etruscan countryside until you reach the tiny village of Capranica. From here you descend to a tuff gorge, following the stream. This track is very striking, but can be difficult in places depending on the water level. Finally you'll arrive in Sutri where you can enjoy a nice dinner in your choice of restaurant in town.
Distance: 24km/14.9mi, ascent: 376m/1233ft. descent: 383m/1256ft

Day 7 : Walk Across Fields To Monterosi And On To Campagnano Di Roma (7Hrs)

Location: Campagnano di Roma

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

The first section of the walk today takes you across fields until you reach the picturesque village of Monterosi and the Monte Gelato waterfalls. You can stop for a rest here or even swim on a warm day. Continue walking along a panoramic trail that leads to Campagnano di Roma. It is possible to shorten the walk by taking a bus or with a morning transfer to Monterosi (taxi must be pre-arranged). Distance: 24km/14.9mi, ascent: 279m/915ft, descent: 302m/991ft

Day 8 : Follow Country Trails To La Giustiniana (8Hrs)

Location: Rome

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you'll walk through the Roman countryside, walking on mainly flat dirt roads or country trails. There are a few hills towards the end of the day. Continue to La Giustiniana where you will stay overnight. Option to shorten by taking the bus from La Storta. (Subject to availability overnight may be at Isola Farnese, 5km less walking today, 5km more tomorrow).Distance: 27km/16.9mi, ascent: 451m/1480ft, descent: 636m/2087ft.

Day 9 : Final Walk Into Rome (5Hrs)

Location: Rome

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast you will set off on the final leg of your pilgrimage. You can choose to reach Rome either by public transport or on foot. Part of the walk today is through the Insugherata park, a beautiful natural reserve a short distance from the bustling city. As you approach the 'Eternal City' you can stop for a triumphant photograph at the Monte Mario Belvedere. From here you'll catch your first glimpse of the dome of St Peter's Basilica. You'll then make your final descent to reach the Piazza San Pietro, your ending point and that of many pilgrims through the centuries.
Distance: 18km/11.2mi, ascent: 360m/1181ft. descent: 450m/1476ft

Day 10 : Trip Concludes

Location: Rome

Meals Included: Breakfast

The trip concludes in Rome, with arrangements ending after breakfast.
With much to do and see in Rome, it is well worth extending your stay so you can explore the city. We can book extra nights, please ask for our rates.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    9 nights in 3 star hotels and agriturismo / B&Bs.

  • 9 breakfasts, 1 packed lunch, 1 dinner: 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 s

  • 9 nights in 3 star hotels and agriturismo / B&Bs on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities (hotel taxes extra, payable locally - allow approx €22 in total per person)

  • Digital information pack including smartphone app with maps plus an electronic 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

  • Emergency hotline and SMS alert

  • Pilgrim Passport

  • Travel to Orvieto or Acquapendente and from Rome

  • Meals not listed as included, drinks

  • Travel insurance - mandatory

  • Guide – this is a self-guided walking holiday

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What's Not Included

  • Travel to and from Destinations

    Travel to Orvieto or Acquapendente and from Rome.

  • Meals Not Included

    Meals not listed as included, drinks.

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees.

  • Guide

    Guide – this is a self-guided walking holiday.

  • Solo Traveler Supplement

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

  • Excess Luggage

    Excess luggage.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance.

  • Tourist Tax

    Tourist Tax - allow approximately EUR1-3.5 per person per day - payable directly to the hotel.

  • Personal Items

    Items of a personal nature.

Grading

GRADE 3 - Daily walks that are along paths that are well defined and clearly marked. There are not many changes to the height walked each day. Some walks are long but can be shortened if requested in advance. The whole itinerary is well-marked by the official signs of the Via Francigena. As this section of the Via Francigena enters larger towns and cities than other stages, there are some sections that follow main roads with traffic. 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. ...more ...less

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

Travel to Orvieto or Acquapendente and from Rome is not included, allowing you the flexibility to choose your preferred mode of transport.

Accommodation

Enjoy 9 nights in 3-star hotels and agriturismo/B&Bs on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities, offering a comfortable and authentic stay.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of accommodations can I expect during the Via Francigena tour from Orvieto to Rome?

    You will stay in 3-star hotels and agriturismo/B&Bs on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities. Note that hotel taxes are extra and payable locally, with an allowance of €14-17 in total per person.

  • What meals are included in the Via Francigena tour?

    The tour includes 9 breakfasts, 2 packed lunches, and 2 dinners. Breakfasts are usually continental, inclusive of breads, tea, coffee, and juices. Dinners will consist of 3 courses, usually starting with a salad or pasta dish, followed by either a chicken, red meat, or fish dish. ...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?

    The tour provides an emergency hotline and SMS alert for support. Additionally, you will receive a digital information pack including a smartphone app with maps and an electronic route book.

  • Is this a guided tour?

    No, this is a self-guided walking holiday. You will not have a guide, but you will receive a digital information pack and support via an emergency hotline.

  • What is the difficulty level of the Via Francigena tour?

    The tour is graded as moderate (Grade 3). It involves walking along well-defined and clearly marked paths with some long walks that can be shortened if requested in advance. A good level of fitness is required, and prior experience is advisable.

  • 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, a water bottle, lunch supplies, a mobile phone, and sun protection.

  • Are there any additional costs I should be aware of?

    Yes, additional costs include meals not listed as included, drinks, entrance fees, a supplement for solo travelers or single rooms, excess luggage, travel insurance, and a tourist tax of approximately EUR1-3.5 per person per day, payable directly to the hotel.

  • Can I extend my stay in Rome after the tour concludes?

    Yes, it is well worth extending your stay in Rome to explore the city. Extra nights can be booked; please ask for rates.

  • 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

A. Dickens(United States)  

Via Francigena: Orvieto to Rome

9 May 2023

Very happy with every aspect of the trip.

N. Tosic(White Sulphur Springs, United States)  

Via Francigena: Orvieto to Rome

19 Oct 2022

Wonderful trip. Accommodations were very nice. Great maps and trip notes. Food fantastic. Not crowded at all.

K. Hosker(Enfield, UK)  

Via Francigena: Orvieto to Rome

11 May 2022

Excellently organised trip. All accommodation of a very good level and our luggage always arrived in good time. The app was brilliant and avoided us getting lost, and it was helpful having the emergency number as a back up. Would highly recommend.

W. Diakow(BC, Canada)  

Via Francigena: Orvieto to Rome

16 Jun 2022

Well organized trip through great little Italian towns including very nice accommodation. UTracks employees were excellent with communication and all things including bag transport was expertly done. I wouldn't hesitate to book another trip with UTracks

G. Sargison(Taroona, Australia)  

Via Francigena: Orvieto to Rome

23 May 2024

The country we passed through was beautiful, the accommodation more than adequate and the service was first class. The bonus was the wonderful people we met on the trail.

J. Poteracke(Ventura, California)  

Via Francigena: Orvieto to Rome

19 Oct 2018

It was an amazing trip. A little more difficult than I anticipated but still manageable. The SloWays app was a great resource (don't forget to download the maps the night before while on wifi - it will help with your phone's battery life).

P. Rawlins(MoNTville, Australia)  

Via Francigena: Orvieto to Rome

19 Nov 2024

We completed the last stage of the Via Francigena at the start of November 2024. Overall we were very satisfied with the planned itinerary and got to enjoy the good accommodation in some marvellous towns especially in the old sectors . After recent rains the countryside was very lush with many pleasant views along the way. Our baggage delivery was flawless- always waiting for us. The map app for guidance was good and just followed the dot on screen and not the directions. It was only required on stage 1 from Orvieto to Bolsena and the final stage into Rome to the Vatican. The other sections were well sign posted. The stages are longer than published averaging about 25 km per day. The longest we had was 32 km as accommodation was before and after designated sector start and finish towns. This didn’t allow us to see the old Roman ruins at Sutri as we had to navigate a very busy main road with no footpaths in near dark conditions- not a problem in months with longer daylight hours. Apparently there is a path around this section of main road but it wasn’t on our designated route. For any person with sore knees I would advise the use of walking poles especially on the downhill of old Roman cobblestone roads . The only disappointing part to our trip was the rubbish dumped often in big bags at the side of minor roads and tracks once we were south of Sutri- not a problem to the north - or in other areas such as Tuscany. Rome has problems also with litter and the parks are not well cared for - but we did spend 4 days admiring the wonderful sights and food that Rome is famous for. The dinners we had on the walk especially the last 3 days were some of the best ever. Overall a very good trip. ...more ...less

P. Clark(Manchester, UK)  

Via Francigena: Orvieto to Rome

10 Oct 2018

An amazing experience and a great taste of Italy - its friendly people, the beautiful buildings, the food, peaceful countryside, especially the hazelnut groves. We met some fascinating people on the way and enjoyed visiting the Colosseum and Vatican City once we arrived in Rome. A holiday we'll never forget. ...more ...less

B. Wilson(Wingham, NSW)  

Via Francigena: Orvieto to Rome

21 Jun 2019

Walking the Via Francegena is more than a journey, it's a long reflective ramble through the quiet Italian countryside. On the Orvieto to Rome stage, I walked alone (self-guided) and saw maybe a dozen other walkers, and a few groups of mountain bikers. So it's very quiet and if you are a spiritual or reflective person, I recommend this trip. I passed through sublime peaceful woodlands and forests, skirted fields and olive groves, and each night stayed in traditional old Italian towns. Hardly a tourist to be seen, what bliss! Along the way, I saw numerous old hurches and some Roman roads and buildings. Also, there were information boards about the Via Francegena and the important role it played throughout the centuries socially and economically. The trail is quiet well marked, and UTracks' notes and phone ap are excellent. UTracks accommodation was really good and most nights I stayed in an atmospheric hotel or Agritourismo in great locations. I had two full days of rain but this trip is so interesting it wasn't a problem. If you want to see the real Italy away from the tourist hordes, and walk through delightful vistas all day, this is the trip for you. UTracks makes it very easy, this was my fourth walking trip with them. ...more ...less

I. Bogason(Reykjavík, Iceland)  

Via Francigena: Orvieto to Rome

27 Sep 2024

All went well, thank you very much. The tour was on the whole adventurous. The hotels were satisfying. The luggage transfer was superb. The overall itinerary was good.

Read all 16 reviews

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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.

Via Francigena: Orvieto to Rome

10 Days Starting in Orvieto, Italy and ending in Rome, Italy

Visiting: Orvieto, Bolsena, Montefiascone, Viterbo, Vetralla, Sutri, Campagnano di Roma, Rome

Tour operator:

UTracks

Tour code:

FR8

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

moderate

Tour operated in:

English
From: $1420 (USD)

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