Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey along the St Francis Way from Rieti to Rome, tracing the footsteps of ancient pilgrims through Italy's breathtaking landscapes. This self-guided walking tour invites you to explore the wild slopes of the Apennine mountains and Italy's best-preserved forests. Begin your adventure in Rieti, the "geographical centre of Italy," and traverse the historic Via Salaria, lined with linden trees, fields, and streams. Discover the Roman amphitheatre and the Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria, and wander through olive groves and oak forests to the charming town of Nerola. Enjoy panoramic views of the Sabina hills as you make your way to Palombara Sabina, and explore the historical heritage of Monterotondo. Conclude your pilgrimage in the Eternal City of Rome. With comfortable accommodations and luggage transfers included, this tour offers a perfect blend of cultural, historical, and natural wonders. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Rieti
Location: Rieti
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Arrive in Rieti, considered by Romans to be “the geographical centre of Italy”. St Francis sojourned more than once in the valley surrounding this historical town, which is why it is known as “Valle Santa”, meaning “Holy Valley”.
Day 2 : Transfer to Maglianello Basso and walk to Poggio San Lorenzo (6hrs)
Location: Maglianello Basso, Via Salaria, Roman Bridge, Poggio San Lorenzo
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning a transfer takes you to Maglianello Basso, the starting point of today's walk. Set off on foot among rows of linden trees, fields and streams along the ancient Via Salaria, which used to connect Rome to the Adriatic Sea. On your way there is a Roman bridge dating from the 4th century BC. Your destination is the pretty village of Poggio San Lorenzo. Overnight agriturismo. Dinner is available a la carte and will need to be paid for locally (not included in the price)Walking: 18km/11.25mi, +459m/1506ft -360m/1050ft.
Day 3 : Continue past the Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria to the village of Poggio Moiano (5hrs)
Location: Poggio San Lorenzo, Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria, Poggio Moiano
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you will walk from Poggio San Lorenzo to Poggio Moiano. Along the way you can see traces of the rich historical past of the region, including a Roman amphitheatre and the Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria. Your destination for today is the ancient hamlet of Poggio Moiano. Overnight agriturismo with dinner.
Walking: 10km/6.2mi, +470m/-468m
Day 4 : Walk through olive groves to Nerola (6hrs)
Location: Nerola
Accommodation Name: Agriturismo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The walk takes you along secondary roads and dirt paths, among olive groves and oak forests, to the town of Nerola. Guarded by an imposing 10th century castle, Nerola was an outpost of the Papal State in the 1860s because the valley below the town was part of the Kingdom of Italy. In 1867 Garibaldi's failed attempt to conquer Rome began with the seizure of Nerola. Overnight agriturismo with dinner.
Walking: 14km/8.7mi, +431m/-515m
Day 5 : Enjoy views extending to the hills of Sabina enroute to Palombara Sabina (7hrs)
Location: Nerola, Moricone, Palombara Sabina
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Another great panoramic stage, taking you from Nerola to Palombara Sabina, with impressive views to the hills of Sabina. A little detour takes you to the village of Moricone, with another interesting castle that was built for defensive purposes. Own dinner arrangements this evening.
Walking: 22km/13.75mi, +775m/-845m
Day 6 : Walk to the historic city of Monterotondo (6hrs)
Location: Monterotondo
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you'll be immersed in the rich nature of the Sabina area. At the end of your walk you have a special treat, Monterotondo, a city with an important historical heritage. Located on a hill, it dominates the river Tevere valley and is surrounded by vineyards that produce great wines.
Walking: 18km/11.25mi, +375m/-578m
Day 7 : Walk to Cesarina and take the bus and subway to Rome (4hrs)
Location: Monterotondo, Cesarina, Rome
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
A shorter walk on an asphalt road will take you from Monterotondo to Cesarina. From here you can take a bus to the subway station that takes you to the Eternal City of Rome, the destination of thousands of pilgrims throughout the centuries.
Walking: 12.5km/7.8mi, +251m/-317m
Day 8 : Trip concludes
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip concludes after breakfast. There’s much to see and do in Rome, if you’d like to
add any extra nights please ask for our rates.
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights agriturismo/B&B's/hotels -
Digital Information Pack
A digital information pack including a smartphone app with maps and route book is included.
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Luggage Transfer
Luggage transfer is included, with a maximum of 1 piece per person, up to 20kg and size 60 x 50 x 40 cm.
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Transfer from Rieti to Maglianello Basso
Transfer from Rieti to Maglianello Basso on Day 2 is included.
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St Francis Way Pilgrim Passport
A St Francis Way pilgrim passport is included.
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Emergency Hotline
An emergency hotline is available during the tour.
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Transfers
The tour includes transfers from Santuario Santa Maria della Foresta to Rieti on day 6 and from Rieti to Maglianello Basso on day 2.
What's Not Included
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Travel to Rieti and from Rome
Travel to Rieti and from Rome is not included.
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Meals Not Listed
Meals not listed as included, such as lunch daily and dinners not noted as included, are excluded.
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Drinks
Drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included.
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Guide
This is a self-guided walking holiday; a guide is not included.
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Single Room Supplement
A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees to museums, galleries, etc., are not included.
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Transfers Not Listed
Transfers not listed as included are excluded.
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Transfers to Skip a Stage
Transfers if you need to skip a stage are not included.
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Tourist Tax
Tourist tax is not included. Allow EUR10 per person, payable directly to the hotel.
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Subway and Bus Tickets
Subway and bus tickets, such as those needed on day 7, are not included.
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Excess Luggage
Excess luggage is not included.
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Items of a Personal Nature
Items of a personal nature, including drinks, souvenirs, phone calls, internet, and laundry, are not included.
Grading
MODERATE – GRADE 3
This is a moderate grade walk along paths that are well defined and clearly marked. The whole itinerary is mainly on paths and gravel roads (strade bianche), and some sections on asphalted road. You should be able to walk for up to 22km per day although there are some options to shorten walks. The walks may in part be during hot sun on stony tracks. The Lazio landscape of rolling hills (although sometimes steep and long), olive groves and vineyards, are traversed each walking day.
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.
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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
The tour includes transfers from Santuario Santa Maria della Foresta to Rieti on day 6 and from Rieti to Maglianello Basso on day 2, as well as luggage transfer (max 1 piece per person).
Accommodation
Enjoy 7 nights in comfortable 3-star hotels, charming B&Bs, or agriturismo accommodations, all on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 7 nights in comfortable 3-star hotels, charming B&Bs, or agriturismo accommodations, all on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities.
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Is luggage transfer included in the tour?
Yes, luggage transfer is included with a maximum of 1 piece per person, up to 20kg and size 60 x 50 x 40 cm.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Some meals are included, such as breakfast daily and some dinners, but lunches and other dinners are not included and need to be paid for locally.
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Is there a guide provided during the tour?
No, this is a self-guided walking holiday, so a guide is not included.
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What should I carry during the walks?
You only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, water bottle, lunch supplies, mobile phone, and sun protection.
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What is the difficulty level of the walks on this tour?
The tour is graded as moderate, requiring a good level of fitness. The walks are mainly on paths and gravel roads, with some sections on asphalted roads, and can be up to 22km per day.
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Is there an emergency contact available during the tour?
Yes, an emergency hotline is available during the tour.
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What is the St Francis Way Pilgrim Passport?
The St Francis Way Pilgrim Passport is included in the tour, which is a special passport for pilgrims walking the St Francis Way.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
St Francis Way: Rieti to Rome
8 Days Starting in Rieti, Italy and ending in Rome, Italy
Visiting: Rieti, Maglianello Basso, Via Salaria, Roman Bridge, Poggio San Lorenzo, Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria, Poggio Moiano, Nerola, Moricone, Palombara Sabina, Monterotondo, Cesarina, Rome ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SW5
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Religion and Spiritual
