Getting there
- Flights to Rome (FCO) 70 km from the start
Treks / Italy
Via Francigena: Viterbo to Rome
Italy · Nearest city: Rome (also Viterbo)
TypeMulti-day trek
Days5–6
Distance≈ 110 km
Climbingvaries
Highest pointlow-level
The last stretch of the ancient pilgrim road from Canterbury, ending at St Peter's in Rome. Etruscan towns, lakes and quiet countryside.
Fitness
Moderate
Best seasonMarch to June, September to November
Watch out: Summer heat is intense. Carry plenty of water between villages.
Why people choose it
It's the final stretch of a 1,000-year-old pilgrimage and ends in St Peter's Square, where you can collect your Testimonium.
What makes it different
- Ends at the Vatican
- Etruscan towns and volcanic lakes along the way
- Pilgrim hostels and a pilgrim passport
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section, or join an Alpine club: membership of the Austrian Alpenverein (it has an English-speaking UK section) includes rescue cover of up to €25,000.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Rules vary by region and park. Bivouacs are often tolerated high in the mountains for one night; camping in valleys and parks is usually restricted.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Viterbo → Vetralla → Sutri → Campagnano di Roma → La Storta → Vatican City
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Book your first and last nights, and check whether accommodation along the way needs reserving.
- Best time to go: March to June, September to November.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Rome.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: March to June, September to November
March to May
Spring
The best time for most people: green hills, wildflowers and comfortable temperatures.
Bring
- Light layers
- Sun hat
- A light rain jacket for showers
June to August
Summer
Hot, often above 30°C, with little shade. Start at dawn and rest in the afternoon. Fire risk can close paths.
Bring
- 2–3 litres of water
- Sun hat and long sleeves
- Electrolytes
September to November
Autumn
Warm sea and settled weather in early autumn, with the first storms arriving later.
Bring
- Rain jacket from October
- Light layers
- Headlamp as days shorten
Be ready for
Heat
Start at dawn, rest in the shade at midday, and carry more water than you think. Electrolytes help.
Long days
Expect 7–10 hour days. Start early, eat little and often, and know your turnaround time.
What you'll see
5 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Via Francigena: Viterbo to Rome
Photo credits: Panorama di Sutri by Fiat 500e, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Palazzo dei Papi Viterbo by Claudio Caravano, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Vetralla by Mattana, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Lago di Monterosi by Stifone, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; SUTRI (VT) Interno della chiesetta Madonna del Parto - le Tre Navate - panoramio by giovanni bidi, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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