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Via Francigena from Siena to Rome

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From£1,442
Price
From£1,442
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2186
  • Duration: 8 Nights
  • Difficulty: Level 2-3
  • Tour Type: Self Guided
  • Availability: Daily from 1st April to 31st October
  • Location: Siena

Cycling from Siena to Rome

Tour Details

As if out of a postcard this trip does not disappoint in scenery or culture and class. Starting in the beautiful city of Siena, you will ride along the legendary dirt roads for kilometres and kilometres, crossing the Val d’Arbia and the Val d’Orcia, icons of the Tuscan landscape. You will visit wonderful villages like Bagno Vignoni, with its enormous thermal pool in the centre of the square, and Radicofani, whose fortress dominates southern Tuscany. Once you enter Lazio you will be amazed by the beautiful Lake Bolsena and charmed by the ancient paving stones of the Via Cassia, still intact after 2000 years. The sunset over the lake is a sight to behold.

But the surprises continue, from the enchanting medieval centre of Viterbo, with an entire district dedicated to the pilgrims. The ancient Etrurian roads, to the Roman amphitheatre of Sutri, completely dug out from the Tufo to the beautiful cycle path that leads you into the heart of Rome, running along the river Tevere until your destination: St. Peter Square. If you appreciate good flavours, keep in mind that you will cross the vineyards of the Brunello di Montalcino, one of the best Italian wines, and the centre of “cacio di Pienza” production (a type of cheese), before entering one of the most important areas for the production of extra-virgin olive oil, between Bolsena and Montefiascone.

This is a cycling holiday in Italy like no other. Get in touch if you have any questions about our Siena to Rome tour.

Starting Location

Siena

Price Includes

  • 8 Nights on bed and breakfast (2 nights with dinners, Radicofani & Sutri)
  • 3-star hotels (4 nights), agriturismo & B&B’s
  • Luggage transfers
  • GPS Files on request
  • Navigation by Smart Phone App

Price Excludes

  • Transport before and after tour
  • Flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Hybrid Bike Rental
  • E-Bike Rental
  • Public Transport
  • Entrances to Attractions
  • Lunch and Dinners (where not included in tour)
  • Local City Tax’s
Trip Info

Route Characteristics

The rides follow mostly well-asphalted country roads and secondary roads. Near larger towns, the roads will have more traffic.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Hooked on Cycling that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the chosen activity and for emergency evacuation and hospital care.

Itinerary

Day 1Individual arrival to Siena

Day 2Siena to San Quirico d’Orica – 33.7 miles / 54 km Up 650m

Let’s hope that the sun will be shining because the Crests of the Val d’Arbia offer unforgettable views: after saying goodbye to Siena, resting on the hills on the horizon, you will travel along the typical dirt roads of Siena as far as the fortified village of Lucignano, with its fine Church. At the gates of Monteroni d’Arbia, you will be able to admire the impressive Grancia di Cuna, a fortified farm which held the reserves of wheat destined for Republic of Siena.

From Lucignano you will continue your journey through the Valle dell’Ombrone to Buonconvento. Crossing the gate of the walls and enter the fine old town centre of the village, discovering why its name means “happy fortunate place”, before riding on and continuing towards San Quirico over the dirt roads and some asphalted ones: these, however, will be compensated by the beautiful views of the Val D’Orcia, among hills tinted with charming shades and scattered with vineyards and cypress trees. At San Quirico you will stand enchanted before the gate of the Collegiata, trying to recognise the various architectural styles that blend into its decorations, before enjoying a rest among the green hedges of the Horti Leonini, a fifteenth-century garden.

Day 3San Quirico d’Orica to Radicofani – 23-26.2 miles / 37-42 km Up 650m

You will continue your journey across the fabulous views of the Val D’Orcia. just beyond San Quirico, you will enter a timeless world visiting Vignoni Alto, and you will be able to enjoy a reinvigorating rest in the thermal waters of Bagno Vignoni.

Today you will test your strength with a short but demanding days riding which will take you as far as Radicofani: stick it out, because admiring the view from the Radicofani fortress, tired but satisfied, will repay all your efforts. You will also be able to visit the Pieve di San Pietro, a little jewel dating back to the thirteenth century, and take an evening walk in its old town centre, admiring the magic of the illuminated Fortress.

Day 4Radicofani to Bolsena – 34.3-37.5 miles / 55-60 km Up 620m

From Radicofani, leaving the fortress behind you and travelling along the old Via Cassia, surrounded by scenery of infinite hills dominated by Monte Amiata. Were you will be able to walk in silence in the Romanesque crypt beneath the Basilica del Santo Sepolcro, among decorated capitals and arches: where, according to tradition, some stones bathed in the blood of Christ are supposed to have been kept. Your journey will continue gently as far as the first views of Lake Bolsena: from here you will descend into a volcanic crater and you will continue along dirt tracks, alternating thick woods with meadows scattered with olive trees, as far as Bolsena.

If you are curious to see proof of the miracle of the Corpus Domini, for which Bolsena is famous, in the Cappella del Miracolo some marble slabs stained by the blood pouring from a Host in the thirteen century are kept. If, instead, you are more interested in the typical cuisine, you can taste the products offered by the lake, such as the Sbroscia, a typical soup made from lake fish and tomatoes.

Day 5Bolsena to Viterbo – 20.6 miles / 33 km Up 545m

Continuing on through woods and olive groves, on a route that will offer constant views of the lake: you will cross an area famous for the production of Extra virgin olive oil, which we recommend you taste on a piece of fragrant local bread before arriving in Montefiascone: not to be missed, a climb up to the Rocca, where you will be enchanted before a panoramic view. After descending from the Rocca, you can go into a typical wine bar and taste a glass of Est!Est!!Est!!!, which is even better here because it is made here! If you want to spoil yourself a little more, you will be able to enjoy a pleasant halt at the spas of Bagnaccio, recharging your batteries in its thermal waters before proceeding towards Viterbo, the end of today’s journey.

Day 6 Viterbo to Sutri – 23.7 miles / 38 km Up 420m

From Viterbo, the journey continues towards Vetralla, a town in the heart of the ancient Etrurian territory. We then continue through the green countryside of Lazio you come to Sutri, a small town, rich in attractions. The Roman amphitheatre, completely dug out from the Tufo, is something not to be missed. Decide whether to sit on the terraces or to get up onto the stage, but as you leave remember to sign the visitors’ register: it is very important for the custodian, and if he is there he will invite you to do so. After this, proceed to the church of Santa Maria del Parto, the Tufo walls of which are decorated in well-preserved frescoe murals. Look for the group of pilgrims among the images, depicted in prayer with their sticks in their hand.

Day 7 Sutri to Formello – 21.2 miles / 34 km Up 534m

From Sutri we go on towards Campagnano and then Formello: during the journey, you will flank the Mount Gelato Waterfalls, where you can stop for a reinvigorating swim. A panoramic road of the Veio Nature Park will bring you to the gates of Campagnano. Here you can rest in the Venturi Park, the home of a three-hundred-year-old Yew tree the locals call the “Tree of Death”: but don’t worry, you can sit in its shade without any danger! You will continue through the Veio nature park with its woody hills, before entering the enchanting Valle del Sorbo. Along the way, you will be able to admire the sanctuary of the Madonna del Sorbo and later arrive at Formello, with its medieval buildings.

Day 8Formello to Rome – 21.2 miles / 34 km Up 155m

Get back in the saddle and face the last leg of your journey which separates you from the Eternal City. The leg continues across the countryside of Lazio, you could never guess to be so close to a metropolis. You will have to cross a brief section of busier roads to reach the cycle path of the River Tevere, an enchanting slow path which will lead you to the gates of Vatican City, where you will be able to end your journey in St. Peters Square. Do not forget to take a triumphant photograph in front of the Basilica, before celebrating the end of the journey fortifying yourselves with spring lamb, pecorino romano cheese, and perhaps a delicious maritozzo with cream…you deserved it!

Day 9Departure

Depart after breakfast.

Following a pilgrimage route is one of the most rewarding parts of these tours, if you bucket list includes pilgrimage routes then also consider, the final section of the St James Way to Santiago de Compostella.

Map

How to get there

Plane to Florence, Pisa or Rome (Fiumicino or Ciampino) then train to Siena. Departure from Rome (Fiumicino or Ciampino)

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2024 Prices – For a complete tour price breakdown please click the book now button and select your holiday tour date. Prices will then be listed.

 Tour Code Prices From (per person) Book Now
SienaRome (8 Nights)  from £1442 Book Now
Tour Images
Cyclist on a white stone path