Via Francigena Stages 50 and 51: The countdown to our arrival in Rome has begun!
We continued hiking through farms and forests as we completed a 15-mile stage. The route started out along several busy roads before turning into farmland.
After walking through the town of Monterosi and past its church, we came to the Parco Valle del Treja, where we viewed some beautiful waterfalls. It was once a mill complex and before that an ancient settlement with a Roman villa.
At the end of the day, we climbed steeply to the hill town of Campagnano di Roma. Originally known as Baccano, the town was taken over by Rome from the Etruscans in 241 BC. Campagna translates to "countryside," and the town was changed to its current name as 13th century wealthy Romans sought refuge in the area to avoid plagues.
The next day we set off on a 14.5-mile hike. Initially we walked through the Parco Veio park. We passed through our final medieval historic center in the town of Formello before traversing through some farms.
There, we saw a large flock of sheep being herded by four dogs coming toward us on the path. We climbed up on the side of the trail to let them pass us. Our stage ended in the city of La Storta, just outside of Rome.
We have just one more 12 mile stage to take us to St. Peter’s Basilica and the completion of our Via Francigena trek tomorrow!
Via Francigena Stages 50 and 51: The countdown to our arrival in Rome has begun!
We continued hiking through farms and forests as we completed a 15-mile stage. The route started out along several busy roads before turning into farmland.
After walking through the town of Monterosi and past its church, we came to the Parco Valle del Treja, where we viewed some beautiful waterfalls. It was once a mill complex and before that an ancient settlement with a Roman villa.
At the end of the day, we climbed steeply to the hill town of Campagnano di Roma. Originally known as Baccano, the town was taken over by Rome from the Etruscans in 241 BC. Campagna translates to "countryside," and the town was changed to its current name as 13th century wealthy Romans sought refuge in the area to avoid plagues.
The next day we set off on a 14.5-mile hike. Initially we walked through the Parco Veio park. We passed through our final medieval historic center in the town of Formello before traversing through some farms.
There, we saw a large flock of sheep being herded by four dogs coming toward us on the path. We climbed up on the side of the trail to let them pass us. Our stage ended in the city of La Storta, just outside of Rome.
We have just one more 12 mile stage to take us to St. Peter’s Basilica and the completion of our Via Francigena trek tomorrow!
Via Francigena Stages 48 and 49: As we got closer to Rome, we figured that our last few stages would be pretty urban and not have too many sights. But so far, we have been pleasantly surprised by what we have seen during the past two days.
After our rest day in Viterbo, we set off to hike a short 10.2-mile stage. We passed by Viterbo`s Duomo before leaving the city to walk through the Via Cava Sant’Antonio. It is one of the Etruscan Vie Caves that consist of narrow roadways cut into the soft tufa stone over 2,500 years ago.
Later, the route ran along farm areas with olive trees and lettuce crops. After a nice lunch break at a viewpoint, we walked through some undulating hills before arriving in the town of Vetralla, where we checked into a B&B for the night.
The next morning we left Vetralla on a 15.4-mile stage. During the first five miles we climbed through some oak forests and farms to a high point. There, we passed the remains of funeral monument towers from the Roman period. A few miles later we walked through the medieval Castrovecchio neighborhood of Capranica.
After leaving the town, we went back in the forest to join a trail along the Fosso Mazzano stream. It was a beautiful place, and we took our time hiking through it. We found the path to be among the most peaceful and idyllic sections of our entire Via Francigena trek.
The trail ended at the Etruscan Archeological Park, which contained many ruins, including a Roman amphitheater.
We stopped at a B&B just outside the town of Sutri. As a former border town between Rome and Etruria, it is mentioned in 3rd century BC documents.
We only have three stages left to reach Rome!
Via Francigena Stages 48 and 49: As we got closer to Rome, we figured that our last few stages would be pretty urban and not have too many sights. But so far, we have been pleasantly surprised by what we have seen during the past two days.
After our rest day in Viterbo, we set off to hike a short 10.2-mile stage. We passed by Viterbo`s Duomo before leaving the city to walk through the Via Cava Sant’Antonio. It is one of the Etruscan Vie Caves that consist of narrow roadways cut into the soft tufa stone over 2,500 years ago.
Later, the route ran along farm areas with olive trees and lettuce crops. After a nice lunch break at a viewpoint, we walked through some undulating hills before arriving in the town of Vetralla, where we checked into a B&B for the night.
The next morning we left Vetralla on a 15.4-mile stage. During the first five miles we climbed through some oak forests and farms to a high point. There, we passed the remains of funeral monument towers from the Roman period. A few miles later we walked through the medieval Castrovecchio neighborhood of Capranica.
After leaving the town, we went back in the forest to join a trail along the Fosso Mazzano stream. It was a beautiful place, and we took our time hiking through it. We found the path to be among the most peaceful and idyllic sections of our entire Via Francigena trek.
The trail ended at the Etruscan Archeological Park, which contained many ruins, including a Roman amphitheater.
We stopped at a B&B just outside the town of Sutri. As a former border town between Rome and Etruria, it is mentioned in 3rd century BC documents.
We only have three stages left to reach Rome!
Via Francigena Stages 46 and 47: After leaving Bolsena we had a short 10.3-mile stage to the hill town of Montefiascone. We climbed up to a ridge above Lake Bolsena during the first half of the stage. It was a peaceful walk through olive orchards and vineyards. Every so often we had views of the lake below us.
Later, the trail turned into the Turano Archeological and Naturalistic Park and a forest of oak trees. After taking a break there, we descended to the Via Cassia Highway. Soon after we climbed to the hill town of Montefiascone, where we stopped for the day.
Montefiascone was first mentioned in documents in 853 and its close proximity to Rome made it a favorite of Popes through the years. Its 15th century Basilica Cathedral of Santa Margherita has one of the largest domes in Italy.
As we left for a 11.6-mile stage the next day, we ascended through the historic center of Montefiascone to the Rocca dei Papi. The site contains the remains of an old Papal summer residence. We also had our final views north back to Lake Bolsena.
Turning south, we descended steeply, with one last look of Montefiascone behind us. Once we finished hiking downhill, the rest of the stage took us through farms and along a section of flat, rounded stones that were part of an ancient Roman road.
Our day ended in the city of Viterbo. It dates back to Etruscan culture in the 9th–4th century BC. Later, it was the location of an outer defense of the Papal States, and still has intact walls.
After a rest day here, we will start our last five days of trekking to Rome!
Via Francigena Stages 46 and 47: After leaving Bolsena we had a short 10.3-mile stage to the hill town of Montefiascone. We climbed up to a ridge above Lake Bolsena during the first half of the stage. It was a peaceful walk through olive orchards and vineyards. Every so often we had views of the lake below us.
Later, the trail turned into the Turano Archeological and Naturalistic Park and a forest of oak trees. After taking a break there, we descended to the Via Cassia Highway. Soon after we climbed to the hill town of Montefiascone, where we stopped for the day.
Montefiascone was first mentioned in documents in 853 and its close proximity to Rome made it a favorite of Popes through the years. Its 15th century Basilica Cathedral of Santa Margherita has one of the largest domes in Italy.
As we left for a 11.6-mile stage the next day, we ascended through the historic center of Montefiascone to the Rocca dei Papi. The site contains the remains of an old Papal summer residence. We also had our final views north back to Lake Bolsena.
Turning south, we descended steeply, with one last look of Montefiascone behind us. Once we finished hiking downhill, the rest of the stage took us through farms and along a section of flat, rounded stones that were part of an ancient Roman road.
Our day ended in the city of Viterbo. It dates back to Etruscan culture in the 9th–4th century BC. Later, it was the location of an outer defense of the Papal States, and still has intact walls.
After a rest day here, we will start our last five days of trekking to Rome!
Via Francigena Stages 44 and 45: Our first 14.7-mile stage was divided into two parts. The initial section took us downhill on a gravel road from the hill town of Radicofani. It was nice walking, with a few steep descents and beautiful views.
After about 6.5 miles, the gravel road ended at Highway SS2. Also known as the Via Cassia, the original route was built by the Romans in the 2nd century BC from Florence to Rome. The official Via Francigena trail ran along the road for the next six miles. There was an alternate path adding five more miles to our total distance, but we were fine with the road walk.
As it turned out the highway wasn`t very busy, and we were able to detour to some frontage roads for some of the time. During the walk we crossed into Lazio from the Tuscany region.
Near the end of the road walk, we stopped at a "pilgrim bar" for a drink and a break. After that we crossed the Paglia River and turned off for two miles of forest climbing on a quiet road to reach our destination of Acquapendente. The name comes from Latin, meaning "hanging waters," and was first mentioned in the 9th century. Its principal rival was Orvieto, just down the Paglia River valley.
The next day we set off on a 15.3-mile stage to Europe`s largest volcanic lake, Lake Bolsena. We started off hiking through some farm areas before climbing into some forest. After spending hundreds of miles along paved, gravel, and farm roads, it was strange to trek on an actual forest trail with rocks and tree roots to navigate.
While hiking in the forest, we had our first views of Lake Bolsena. It is about 8.1 miles long and 6.8 miles wide at its longest point. At the end of the stage we reached the town of Bolsena, located on the lake.
After walking through its beautiful historic center, we detoured down to the water to check into a hotel with lake views.
We now have less than 100 miles until we reach Rome!
Via Francigena Stages 44 and 45: Our first 14.7-mile stage was divided into two parts. The initial section took us downhill on a gravel road from the hill town of Radicofani. It was nice walking, with a few steep descents and beautiful views.
After about 6.5 miles, the gravel road ended at Highway SS2. Also known as the Via Cassia, the original route was built by the Romans in the 2nd century BC from Florence to Rome. The official Via Francigena trail ran along the road for the next six miles. There was an alternate path adding five more miles to our total distance, but we were fine with the road walk.
As it turned out the highway wasn`t very busy, and we were able to detour to some frontage roads for some of the time. During the walk we crossed into Lazio from the Tuscany region.
Near the end of the road walk, we stopped at a "pilgrim bar" for a drink and a break. After that we crossed the Paglia River and turned off for two miles of forest climbing on a quiet road to reach our destination of Acquapendente. The name comes from Latin, meaning "hanging waters," and was first mentioned in the 9th century. Its principal rival was Orvieto, just down the Paglia River valley.
The next day we set off on a 15.3-mile stage to Europe`s largest volcanic lake, Lake Bolsena. We started off hiking through some farm areas before climbing into some forest. After spending hundreds of miles along paved, gravel, and farm roads, it was strange to trek on an actual forest trail with rocks and tree roots to navigate.
While hiking in the forest, we had our first views of Lake Bolsena. It is about 8.1 miles long and 6.8 miles wide at its longest point. At the end of the stage we reached the town of Bolsena, located on the lake.
After walking through its beautiful historic center, we detoured down to the water to check into a hotel with lake views.
We now have less than 100 miles until we reach Rome!
Trekking the Planet started with a dream – a 424-day, around-the-world expedition (TTP RTW) to raise K-12 geo-literacy. During this adventure, we traveled to 53 countries on six continents, visiting some of the most remote and unspoiled places in the world. We minimized flights and traveled on the ground using local guides and public transport wherever possible. Our TTP RTW trip had more than 50,000 students following our journey from over 20 countries.
Since that trip, we continue to travel with a commitment to authentic adventures, an active lifestyle, and sustainability. Our U.S. journeys have ranged from backpacking on the Arizona Trail and the entire Pacific Crest Trail, to a hike to all 21 California Missions, and an epic road trip to 27 national parks.
Overseas, we have completed village to village treks in multiple European countries, including a Camino de Santiago route and a hiking journey across Switzerland.
This year we are hiking the historic Via Francigena route in England, Switzerland, and Italy, totaling 800 miles. Wherever we trek, we focus on the cultural significance of the region and discover the area’s diverse natural beauty.
You can read about our journeys below or by clicking on the Our Adventures link above.
Our long-term travels have taken us to over 80 countries on six continents. While trekking we highlight the cultural and natural significance of the places we visit. Along the way, we have spoken to over 1,000 students in eight countries about the importance of geography.
Click below to learn more and view Our Country Capsules – videos, education modules, and dispatches by continent and country.
The Tuscany region is one of the most famous places in Italy. Upon reaching the historic city of Lucca and taking a rest day, we set off to trek into the heart of Tuscany, with a series of charming and iconic hill towns awaiting us at the end of each of our stages.
The Apennine Mountains extend about 750 miles along the length of Italy. As we hiked in the rain and fog, we needed to continually consider whether we could trek on the mountain trails, skip ahead some stages, or take “the road less traveled” to make our way to Rome.
When we planned our Via Francigena hiking break, we hoped to use it as a time to rest and recover. While we relaxed, we were fascinated by the history and culture of each place, as well as the natural beauty that we saw. But after three weeks of travel, it was time to bid a fond farewell to the Balkans.
