Holidays

Walking Camino - Via Francigena - Montefiascone to Rome

Italy
Available Departures: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

8 days from

US$1,140

without flights
Walk & Trek
Self-Guided
MODERATE MODERATE

Immerse yourself in the history of the Via Francigena pilgrim route as you walk the final 100km to Rome on this one-week self-guided holiday

Trip Code: SGMR
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Walking Camino - Via Francigena - Montefiascone to Rome

Highlights
  • Discover pretty Montefiascone and the nearby volcanic landscapes of Lake Bolsena, and enjoy the beautiful Est! Est!! Est!!! wine produced from its fertile soils

  • Hike through typical Italian countryside with all the romantic connotations it brings to mind: rolling hills, photogenic villages, and perfectly aligned cypress trees

  • Relax in the ancient thermal baths of Bagnaccio along your way

  • Stand proud in Saint Peter’s Basilica, having completed your pilgrimage to Rome


At a Glance
  • Self-Guided
  • 6 days walking and sightseeing
  • Final 100 km of the Via Francigena
  • Daily departures
  • Join In Montefiascone / End in Rome

Accommodation & Meals
  • 7 Breakfasts
  • 2 Lunches
  • 1 Dinner
  • 6 nights Hotel
  • 1 nights Guesthouse
Overview

Get under the skin of Italy as you follow in the footsteps of the Romans, famous emperors and clergymen, on this one-week self-guided holiday walking the Via Francigena from Montefiascone to The Eternal City of Rome. Dine on exquisite fresh produce washed down with Montefiascone’s famous Est! Est!! Est!!! wine; breathe in the beautiful tapestry of the Italian countryside that surrounds you as you stand in awe, gazing out from hilltop villages; experience a spiritual journey as you meander your way to Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.


Walking up to 8 hours a day along well-signposted routes, and staying in a mix of small, family-run accommodations, you will be sure of a warm welcome at the end of each day. Your walk will take you to ancient ruins, along Etruscan holloways, and to the majestic Monte waterfalls - so inviting that they have featured as the backdrop for several films. You’ll even have the opportunity to bathe in the naturally-heated warm waters of the ancient Bagnaccio thermal baths en-route. This really is a walking holiday for mind, body, and spirit (and your taste buds!). If you want to savour La Dolce Vita a little longer, you can add additional nights in Rome, or easily pair this trip with our self-guided Walking in Cinque Terre holiday that is just a train journey away – or both! Just ask our Sales Team for details.

Is this holiday for you?

If you want to experience rural Italy, are seeking a spiritual challenge or your first long distance route, then this is the perfect trip for you. Walking between picture-perfect villages and fuelled by the unbeatable Italian cuisine, this is not just a pilgrimage for Catholics – it is also a hiking trail for anyone looking to immerse themselves in romantic Italy. Following excellent signage …

If you want to experience rural Italy, are seeking a spiritual challenge or your first long distance route, then this is the perfect trip for you. Walking between picture-perfect villages and fuelled by the unbeatable Italian cuisine, this is not just a pilgrimage for Catholics – it is also a hiking trail for anyone looking to immerse themselves in romantic Italy. Following excellent signage along your route, you should be comfortable walking 6-8 hours with up to 550m of ascent per day, on consecutive days. Staying in a selection of great hotels and guesthouses, we will transport your luggage for you so all you need to do is relax and enjoy your journey on foot. Plus, completing your Via Francigena in Rome allows you to blend a city break with your walking holiday, or make use of Italy’s excellent rail system to pair your trip with our self-guided Walking in Cinque Terre itinerary.

Itinerary

Arrive at your hotel in the enchanting hilltop town of Montefiascone, set above beautiful Lake Bolsena. Once settled into your home for the night, take a stroll through the captivating cobbled streets with their pretty pastel and stone buildings. Depending on your time of arrival, we recommend a visit to the Basilica Santa Margherita with its imposing dome that can be seen for miles around, and the Rocca Dei Papi (Fortress of the Popes). Once home and office to Popes, its surrounding gardens give what are arguably the most spectacular panoramic views over all of Tuscia and its colourful patchwork-quilt countryside.

WINE FESTIVAL: The annual wine festival celebrates the famous Est! Est!! Est!!! white wine produced in the area, and the streets come alive with outdoor dining and festivities. Legend has it that the wine's name came about after a famous German bishop and his servant who travelled to Rome in 1111. The servant, Martino, would travel ahead and write "Est!" (Latin for "it is") on the doors of inns where he found good wine, as indication to his master that it was worth stopping by for. Where the wine was even better, he would write "Est! Est!!". When the wine was spectacular, he would write "Est! Est!! Est!!!". The festival takes place every August.

Accommodation

Hotel
Waking to beautiful hilltop views, you can enjoy a typical Italian breakfast before beginning your pilgrimage to Rome. Today's target is the magnificent town of Viterbo, as you follow the ancient paving of the via Cassia, an important old Roman road, through the vast plain that divides Lake Bolsena from the Cimini Mountains, whose silhouette can be seen in the distance. Along your way, you will come across old drinking fountains, providing the perfect refreshment break to pause and take in your surroundings. As you approach Viterbo, you will encounter the welcoming waters of the Bagnaccio thermal baths. Dating back to Roman times, these natural hot springs have been refreshing the bodies and spirits of pilgrims since the medieval period, and of Roman soldiers before that. Now it is your turn to reward yourself with a soak in these warm waters before completing the final few kilometres of today's journey.

Arriving in Viterbo, you can check into your accommodation then explore this beautiful town with its magnificent historic centre. We recommend making time to visit the charming medieval San Pellegrino quarter (Saint Pilgrim neighbourhood) with its central square, keep towers, and thirteen-century buildings.

FLOWER FESTIVAL: Each May, the San Pellegrino Flower Festival takes place in Viterbo, with the medieval quarter transformed into a colourful garden in celebration of spring and nature's beauty. Beautiful!

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

Ascent

175 M

Descent

430 M

Time

5 - 6 hours

Distance

18 KM
Feeling refreshed, your route today will take you along the unique Etruscan holloways - a series of pathways carved into the walls of the region's tufa stone creating narrow, almost canyon-like walkways. These fascinating pathways, dating back around 2,500 years, are found mainly in the area north of Rome and in Tuscany - and some are up to 30m deep!

Emerging from the holloway, you will be greeted by typical Etruscan countryside as you make your way towards your final stop of the day - Vetralla. Sitting on the slopes of Monte Fogliano, the town of Vetralla holds a prominent position at the crossroads of three important Roman roads - via Cassia, via Clodio, and via Aurelia - and even has historic links with England. Its importance resulted in the town being passed as a trophy amongst the nobility over the years, being donated by Pope Julius II to King Henry VIII, who put it under British protection, where it remained for hundreds of years. You will have the opportunity to explore this well-preserved town, wandering though alleyways leading to lovely piazzas. When you have finished exploring, you can settle in to your hotel for the evening and enjoy a home-cooked dinner.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Ascent

550 M

Descent

550 M

Time

7 hours

Distance

21 KM
Today is a big day as you make your way to Sutri. Re-joining your pilgrimage, you first walk along the flanks of a volcano that is home to the crater lake of Lake Vico, following the pilgrim markings that lead you on your way across the pretty countryside and towards the hilltop village of Capranica - yet another beautiful village filled with photogenic buildings and history. You will have time to visit the ruins of Le Torri d' Orlando for a glimpse into Capranica's ancient past. These two funerary monuments date back to the 1st century BC, and the bell tower once belonged to a Benedictine church. After perhaps enjoying a coffee stop, you will continue on your way.

Leaving Capranica, you descend a tuff gorge as you follow the stream towards Sutri, experiencing a striking contrast with the open plains where your pilgrimage began. Finally, you arrive in the picturesque town of Sutri, with its spectacular amphitheatre, archaeological park, and welcoming Piazza del Comune where you can enjoy a coffee or maybe an aperitif. When you have finished watching the world go by, it is time to check into your hotel and then head out for a well-earned dinner.

Accommodation

Guesthouse

Meals

B L

Ascent

380 M

Descent

380 M

Time

7 hours

Distance

24 KM
Your route today takes you across rural Italian countryside, through Monterosi where you can enjoy a morning coffee stop, and on to the majestic Monte Gelato waterfalls. These mesmerising little waterfalls, nestled within dense woodland, have featured in several films and this is a popular place to relax in nature. This is a lovely spot to sit and think about your journey, and enjoy a picnic accompanied by the soothing sounds of the falls, or perhaps enjoy a cooling paddle. When you are ready to continue your pilgrimage and say farewell to the falls, you continue your journey towards Rome.

Walking along a dirt track accompanied by beautiful vistas, you make your way to your final stop of the day, Campagnano di Roma. Entering the town through the ancient Porta Roma (gateway into the city) and walking down the photogenic main street lined with pastel Palazzi, you arrive at the pretty Piazza where you can enjoy a refreshment in one of the welcoming cafes - and perhaps even some cake. This evening, you will be able to soak up the atmosphere of Campagnano with fellow pilgrims and sample some of the local fare at a nearby restaurant.

If you prefer to shorten today's walk, it is possible to pre-arrange a morning transfer to the picturesque village of Monterosi (additional cost), from where you can walk to Campagnano di Roma.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

Ascent

280 M

Descent

300 M

Time

7 hours

Distance

24 KM
Today's walk begins with beautiful views over the Lazio countryside on your way to the Veio Regional Park, some 15,000 hectares of nature steeped in history of the Romans, Etruscans, and pilgrims. As you make your way along the gentle country trails, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the archaeological relics scattered throughout the park, reminding us of the region's deep past. Crossing the river in the wonderful Valle del Sorbo, you begin your climb up towards Formello, with its lovely historic centre. You will have time to explore before continuing towards La Storta, named after the series of curves that the ancient via Cassia makes through the town. Take a moment to enjoy refreshments in a café before the final stage of today's walk to La Giustiniana, known for its production of exquisite Gavi di Gavi wines from the Cortese grape. Originally, this land was part of a Benedictine convent and, in the 10th century, the monks cultivated the first vines and produced its first wines. Much later, in 1625, the land was bought by the Giustiniani, a military family from the Republic of Genoa. Wine production today is focused on the estate's two vineyards - Lugarara and Montessora. Although the vineyards sit next to each other at 300m above sea level, they have very different soils giving rise to two very different expressions of the Cortese grape. Once checked into your hotel, it is time to venture to one of the nearby restaurants and perhaps enjoy a glass with dinner tonight!

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

Ascent

450 M

Descent

640 M

Time

8 hours

Distance

25 KM
Today you arrive in Rome. First, you must get there! After breakfast, you step out once again onto the Via Francigena, filled with anticipation about ending your day - and your pilgrimage - in The Eternal City. You will be immersed in the greenery of the Insugherata Park, a beautiful nature reserve that is a real treat for nature lovers with its rich flora and fauna, and splendid blooms providing a sweet aroma to your journey - it is hard to believe that this tranquil landscape is so close to the hustle and bustle of Rome. As you emerge from the forest and approach your final goal, you can pause for a triumphant photo opportunity at Monte Mario Belvedere, where you are rewarded with breathtaking views over the city and of the dome of Saint Peter's Basilica. Making your final descent, you soon arrive in Rome and reach Saint Peter's Square, bursting with pride in the knowledge that you have completed your Via Francigena. You will soon be captivated by this city, with its magnificent architecture, vast history, rich culture, and celebrated faith. In the evening, you can visit one of the many great restaurants the city has to offer and raise a toast to a great week. We recommend arranging additional nights here in Rome so you can really savour the atmosphere and visit the many sights.

NOTE: On presentation of your pilgrim pass, you can gain free entry to the Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. However, the Vatican is a key attraction here, and it is wise to book in advance to help avoid disappointment or long queues.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

Ascent

360 M

Descent

450 M

Time

6 hours

Distance

18 KM
Delight in a relaxed breakfast and, depending on your onward journey plans, explore more of this magnificent city. It is possible to arrange additional nights' accommodation if you would like to extend your time in Rome - please contact our Sales Team for more information.

Meals

B
Download Trip Notes
The Route
Point Point
Airport Airport
Direction Direction
Trek

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

  • All accommodation as described

  • Meals as described in the Meal Plan

  • Self-guided information pack containing your map and route notes

  • Luggage transfers

  • Pilgrim kit including a pilgrim passport

  • Travel insurance

  • Travel to Montefiascone

  • Travel from Rome

  • Visas (if applicable)

  • Tourist taxes may apply and are usually under 5 Euros per person per night

  • Some meals as described in the Meal Plan

  • Public buses and taxis

  • Personal equipment

  • Any additional activities/excursions indicated as optional

Each self-guided holiday comes with comprehensive route notes and a map or pocket guidebook of the area you are exploring. The route notes contain information about the places you will visit and the local transport you might need, along with the detailed route notes for your daily walks or cycle rides. We even include some tips for the best places to stop for lunch.

You can expect to receive your Self-Guided Pack containing your route notes, a map or guidebook, and all your relevant documents, no later than 3 weeks before your holiday start-date. We will send your documents using a signed-for courier so that you can track your package and know that it is safely on its way to you. For bookings of more than 4 people we will send an additional Self-Guided Pack. If you do not need this additional pack please inform our Sales Team. Your pack will be sent to the lead booker, so please remind them to pack it before setting off.

Should your self-guided trip be part of a longer adventure requiring you to leave home more than three weeks before your holiday start-date, please inform our Sales Team so that we can make alternative delivery arrangements.

Our Self-Guided Holidays are perfect for your next family holiday and are suitable for children of all ages.

Our partner hotels and accommodations are able to provide cots for young children, and some offer family rooms. We can also arrange hire of children’s bikes and tag along bikes for most of our self-guided cycling trips and with trips such as Lake Constance and the Danube offering routes on designated cycle paths you can rest assured in keeping your family safe.

As a parent we trust that you know your own child’s capabilities, so please read the itinerary details to ensure the distances covered each day are suitable for your family. If this is a first time walking holiday for your family, a centre based trip is a fantastic option as it allows you to easily opt out of a days walking if a day of building sand castles, swimming in the pool or visiting museums is calling instead.

Please discuss this further with our sales team who will be happy to assist in picking the best trip for your family.

The trip starts in Montefiascone and ends in Rome. All of our self-guided holidays are sold on a Land Only basis, allowing you the flexibility to choose the travel method that best suits you. The nearest airport for this trip is Rome, which is well-served with many departures from UK regional airports. It is also possible to use Florence or Pisa Airport.

The train connections are extremely good in Italy with many high-speed services available. This also makes it easy to combine your pilgrimage with one of our other trips in Italy such as self-guided Walking in Cinque Terre - please ask our Sales Team for details.

If you are flying into Rome, the journey to Montefiascone takes approximately 2-3 hours using a combination of rail and taxi.

First, take the train to Roma Termini where you will change onto the train for Montefiascone station. From there you will need to take a short 5-minute taxi journey to the village itself.

It is also possible to arrange a private transfer from Rome Airport - please ask our Sales Team for details.

If you are flying into Florence, the journey takes approximately 4-5 hours. Take the airport shuttle to Firenze S.M.N where you will then take the train to Roma Tiburtina. There you will change onto the train for Montefiascone station, before taking a short 5-minute taxi journey to the village itself.

If you are flying into Pisa, the journey takes 5-6 hours. Take the airport shuttle to Pisa Centrale where you will then take the train to Roma Tiburtina. There you will change onto the train for Montefiascone station, before taking a short 5-minute taxi journey to the village itself.

The trip finishes in Rome where you can take the train from Roma Termini direct to Rome Airport. The journey takes around 30-45 minutes and the trains operate every 30 minutes.

We can also arrange additional nights' accommodation before or after your self-guided trip, or you may even wish to make this trip part of a bigger trip of your own, or pair it with one of our other holidays - just ask our Sales Team for details.

This trip is on a bed and breakfast basis to allow you the most flexibility during your holiday. We have included a packed lunch and an evening meal on day 3, when there are fewer options for dining.

Water from the taps is perfectly drinkable on this holiday - please use this to fill your personal bottles for your daily activities. We do not encourage the purchase of single-use plastic bottles.

On this trip you will stay in a selection of comfortable 3-star hotels, a 2-star hotel, and a 3-star guesthouse, each offering its own charm, warm hospitality, and close proximity to your route.

All our accommodations are booked on a twin or double room basis and have free WiFi.

It is possible to arrange additional nights' accommodation if you would like to extend your time in Rome. Please speak to our Sales Team for more information.

Your main luggage will be transferred between each of your hotels while you are out on your walk. We ask that you please ensure your main luggage is limited to one piece under 20kg per person and that your luggage is ready for collection each morning. Any additional pieces will incur an additional cost. Luggage with wheels is preferable for this holiday. You will also need a daypack to carry your daily essentials with you whilst you are walking.

Europe

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

  • less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)

  • valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

For the latest details on visiting countries within the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), please check the UK Government website

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations.

GHIC / Medical cover

UK residents should carry a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment when you're visiting an EU country or Switzerland. This is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is vital when travelling overseas.

Severe Allergies

Please inform our KE Sales and support team of any severe allergies you may have before travel. We will always do our best to help but we are unable to guarantee an allergy free environment on our KE trips. We advise that you always carry your own treatment for the allergy with you such as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' if required.  We also recommend that you discuss this with your accommodation on arrival so that they can better assist you.

The advantage of a self-guided walking holiday is that you decide the pace however getting some additional exercise before coming on an active holiday makes a lot of sense. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable your walks will be. You should be comfortable with walking 6-7 hours for consecutive days with some occasionally longer days.

This area of Italy benefits from a generally mild transitional Mediterranean climate with cool winters, and short, hot sunny summers when temperatures reach around 30 degrees centigrade. However, like anywhere, the area can also experience rainfall throughout the year, so it is always worth packing your waterproofs and rucksack rain cover just in case.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

A Pilgrimage to Eternity: From Canterbury to Rome in Search of a Faith - Timothy Egan

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

  • Hiking boots with good grip soles

  • Functional base layer

  • T-shirts

  • Hat

  • Windproof jacket

  • Fleece / extra layer

  • Long/short hiking trousers

  • Hiking socks

  • Waterproof jacket

  • Waterproof trousers

  • Rucksack (approx. 20 l)

  • Small first aid kit inside your rucksack

  • Sunscreen

  • Water bottle or hydration pack

  • Camera (batteries/memory card)

  • Mobile Phone (ensure your data package covers your destination)

  • Power bank

  • Waterproof phone cover

  • Sun glasses

  • Personal wash kit

  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping to avoid the use of plastic bags

  • Tupperware for picnics

  • Walking poles

  • Headtorch & spare batteries

  • Your self-guided route notes

Many of the equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive a 12.5% discount with Cotswold Outdoor, Snow+Rock and Runners Need. The discount code can be downloaded from your MyKE account and you can use this code at the checkout, either in store or online.

DATES & PRICES

2025

Dates

Adults from

More Information

  • Walking Camino - Via Francigena - Montefiascone to Rome
    Without Flights
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking Camino - Via Francigena - Montefiascone to Rome
    Without Flights
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking Camino - Via Francigena - Montefiascone to Rome
    Without Flights
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking Camino - Via Francigena - Montefiascone to Rome
    Without Flights
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking Camino - Via Francigena - Montefiascone to Rome
    Without Flights
  • Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

Please note our 'from price' listed is based on 4 persons, however we can quote for any number of travellers, including solo travellers, contact our sales team for a quote.

All of our self-guided holidays are sold on a Land Only basis allowing you the flexibility to choose the travel method which best suits you. You may even wish to make this holiday part of a bigger adventure or pair it with one of our other holidays. We can arrange additional nights accommodation before or after your self-guided trip, ask our sales team to find out more about this.

Our sales team will be happy to provide you a quote for scheduled flights or alternatively you may wish to book your own flights with a low cost carrier from your nearest regional airport.

Please DO NOT book your flights before you have received your booking confirmation and your deposit has been taken.

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)


VISAmastercard
Download Trip Notes
Field Required
Field Required
Field Required
Footer logos
Your Wishlist
No Wishlist Items

Start your next adventure.

Click the heart icon on the search or holiday pages to save a holiday to your wishlist.

Holiday Search