Via Francigena bicycle trip from Lucca to Rome

Duration

10 Days/9 Nights

Price

1780,00 €

Level

Active rider

The ancient route that in medieval times connected Canterbury to Rome and to the harbors of Apulia has been discovered by modern pilgrims, who set off on a fantastic route. Anima Toscana offers the opportunity to discover the Via Francigena route in 8 days from Lucca to Rome by bicycle, crossing the regions of Tuscany and Lazio on secondary roads and gravel roads.
During the trip you can visit the UNESCO protected sites of San Gimignano, Siena, and Val d’Orcia, take a break to discover the beautiful villages of Monteriggioni and Bagno Vignoni, cycling surrounded by different landscapes each day, from the typical tuscan rolling hills to the Brunello wine region and Bolsena lake.
The visit of the city center of Rome will make unforgettable this amazing bike experience.

DURATION: 10 Days/9 nights

PRICE: from 1780,00 €

WHERE: Lucca - San Gimignano - Siena - Val d'Orcia - Roma

WHEN: from March to November

TYPE OF TERRAIN: paved/gravel with some parts off-roads

Itinerary

Day 1 - Benvenuti in Toscana

Individual arrival, dinner on your own and accommodation in 4 stars hotel located at Lucca.

Day 2 - From Lucca to San Miniato

50 km - Elevation gain: 390 meters

Meet and greet with our staff after breakfast, you'll receive the maps and all the informations to complete the bike trip on the Via Francigena.
First stage quite easy where you can find the challenging part only at the end, we suggest to enjoy the city center of Lucca before to complete the bike ride. | The first part of the stage will be almost flat and the point of interest are represented by the numerous historical and religious buildings you’ll find along the route, like the Pieve di Capannori and the town center of Altopascio. | From Altopascio the cycle path follows the walking route until Galleno and once crossed the Arno river, you will take a short uphill direction San Miniato.

Dinner on your own and accommodation in 4 stars hotel located in San Miniato.

Day 3 - From San Miniato to San Gimignano

43 km - Elevation gain: 820 meters

From San Miniato you will cycle towards the Val d'Elsa, where a long flat road will take you to the town of Castelfiorentino. | You will then complete a first climb direction Gambassi Terme, where we suggest a break before the final part of the stage. You can also take a relaxing break at the thermal baths of the Via Francigena. | A challenging climb will take you up to San Gimignano, always accompanied by the extraordinary beauty of the views of this sector of Via Francigena, with the medieval towers as a backdrop to your ride.

Dinner on your own and accommodation in 3 stars hotel located in the town center of San Gimignano. Hotel 4 stars available on request with extra charge.

Day 4 - From San Gimignano to Siena

52 km - Elevation gain: 790 meters

The first part of the route will be very panoramic, you will cycle surrounded by vineyards, leaving San Gimignano behind. After an up and down road you will arrive in Poggibonsi, where begins a climb to reach the town of Colle Val d’Elsa. | You will reach Strove and the monastic complex of Abbadia a Isola, a Benedictine monastery founded at the beginning of the year 1000. The following segment of road will take you to Monteriggioni, one of the most beautiful and intact walled towns in Tuscany. | Cycling along the gravel roads of the Montagnola Senese you will reach Porta Camollia, the traditional access to Siena and the north entrance of the city. «Cor magis tibi Sena pandit» Siena opens a heart bigger than the door you are crossing. | Take your time to visit the wonderful medieval city center and enjoy a tuscan dinner in one of the restaurants of the city center.

Dinner on your own and accommodation in 3 stars hotel located just outside the city center of Siena. Hotel 4 stars available on request with extra charge.

Day 5 - From Siena to San Quirico d'Orcia

57 km - Elevation gain: 750 meters

First part of the stage surrounded by beautiful views. | In the first part of the stage you will ride the typical rolling hills of the Val d’Arbia region, crossing the permanent route of L’Eroica to Buonconvento, very nice medieval village. You can also decide to reach Buonconvento riding the Eroica route. | You will then cross the Brunello region before the final arrival in Val d’Orcia, UNESCO protected site.

Dinner on your own and accommodation in 3 stars hotel with swimming pool located at San Quirico d’Orcia. Hotel 4 stars available on request with extra charge.

Day 6 - From San Quirico to Proceno

62 km - Elevation gain: 890 meters

You will cycle surrounded by the landscapes of the Val d’Orcia. | In the first part of the route you will visit the thermal village of Bagno Vignoni, with its extraordinary thermal pool in the main square. | From Bagno Vignoni, you’ll ride a flat road along the Orcia river and then reach Radicofani through a long uphill on asphalt. The challenging climb will be repaid by a beautiful view over the valley. | You will then descend towards the Val di Paglia, the landscape is characterized by rolling hills, with the Monte Amiata on the horizon. | After a short ride along the Cassia road you will cycle a long gravel road that leads to the beautiful village of Proceno.

Dinner and accommodation at Castello di Proceno.

Day 7 - From Proceno to Viterbo

60 km - Elevation gain: 930 meters

After a quick passage in the town center of Acquapendente, the stage will easily lead you to San Lorenzo Nuovo, where you’ll have a first beautiful view of Bolsena lake. | Approaching the lake, you will ride along a nice off road, in a continuous ups and downs among olive groves, meadows and woods, with the beautiful views of Bolsena Lake on the horizon. | You’ll leave Bolsena riding the Via Cassia direction Montefiascone, and say goodbye to the lake. The following sector is one of the most spectacular, on the ancient paving of the Via Cassia, still in excellent condition. | At the end of the stage you will cross the Bagnaccio baths, a series of hot water pools, which have always been frequented by pilgrims who passed along the Via Francigena, before the final arrival in the city center of Viterbo.

Dinner on your own and accommodation at Palazzo Riario.

Day 8 - From Viterbo to Campagnano

65 km - Elevation gain: 980 meters

The daily stage is characterized by ups and downs between fields and woods, mainly on paved roads, up to the village of Vetralla. | The next part of the route will take you to the nice villages of Capranica and Sutri, town located on a narrow tuff rock, also known for the Roman amphitheater and nice town center. | Discover Monterosi and the Monte Gelato waterfalls, a park area where you can rest and swim before the last part of the route that will take you to Campagnano.

Dinner on your own and accommodation in 3 stars hotel.

Day 9 - From Campagnano to Rome

46 km - Elevation gain: 420 meters

Final stage to complete your pilgrimage and reach the Vatican City. The daily stage will be easy and short, we suggest to start cycling not so late in the morning and arrive in Rome for lunch time, so you can enjoy much more this beautiful city. | The route presents some busy roads approaching to Rome, we can offer an alternative routes to reach the cycle path of River Tevere. | You will finally reach St. Peter's Square, where you can take a final photo and start discovering this wonderful city.

Dinner on your own and accommodation in 4 stars hotel located very close the Vatican City and city center of Rome.
On request, you can decide to visit the city, meet our staff and return to Siena by van.