Via Francigena by Bike – Lucca to Rome

From 950Euro per person

From Lucca To Rome
Enjoy the highlights of Via Francigena by bike, allowing you to cover more land in less time. Your journey will begin in Lucca, “the city of 100 churches” & a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there you’ll continue through the province of Pisa, stopping in the romantic medieval city of San Miniato, encircled in vineyards & olive groves. Continue through the rolling hills of Tuscan wine country, passing San Gimignano, Siena & San Quirico d’Orcia. You’ll see unforgettable panoramas, great Renaissance masterpieces & medieval castles.
Then you’ll enter the Province of Lazio, where you’ll visit a charming town on the edge of a volcanic lake & the historic medieval city of Montefiascone, now a notable winemaking capital of Italy. The last section of the journey has the most spectacular Etruscan & Ancient Roman ruins, as well as breathtaking natural beauty. You will hike through dense forests & follow crystal clear streams from town to town. You journey will end in the eternal city itself, Rome, where you can enjoy a few days exploring everything Rome has to offer.

NOTES:
The Via Francigena is a very ancient Pilgrimage route that goes as far back as the fourth century. Thousands of people have followed these path on their way to Rome. It is now possible to do it with a bicycle. The whole route is 950 km and 15 days are needed to reach Rome starting from the Grand San Bernardo Pass which is where the route enters Italy crossing the Alps. Here we feature what it is possible to do in one week on a self-guided bases. The whole itinerary is feasible with a road bike.

You can reach Lucca easily by train from Florence (1h10min) or Pisa (25 min). At your hotel in Lucca you will find everything you need for your trip: hotel vouchers, a detailed description of the route & stops along the way, & the GPS maps. You will also find information on churches where you can receive a benediction, should you desire one.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

> Lucca
> San Gimignano & Monteriggioni
> Siena
> Sant’Antimo & Bagno Vignoni
> Bolsena
> Viterbo
> Rome

HOW DOES IT WORK:

We transfer your luggage

Just leave it at the reception desk with your name tag and you will find it at your next accommodation.

We book your hotels

We will book double rooms with private bathrooms in 2* or 3* hotels orxb&b or country Inns.

We supply detailed route notes and maps

At your choice, the route notes can be in English, Italian, French or German and GPS maps

7 Nights

Cycling Tours

Via Francigena

Destination
Tuscany
Departure
from Lucca to Siena
Included

7 NIGHTS ( in 3 Star Accommodation )

All breakfast ( dinners on demand )

Emergency number 24/7

Gps Files Available

Luggage Transfer

Pilgrim's "Credenziale" ( Stamp book )

Road Book & Maps
Not Included

5 Dinner package ( On Request )

From our gallery

Pics from our friends walking along the Francigena!

Day 1 – Arrival and settling in

The first major point is that of Lucca. This is a town that has some incredible ancient walls in which you can cycle through. This convenient location allows you to get to the heart of Tuscany, and is relatively close to Pisa Airport, making it very simple to get to and start with. Here you will find traditional vineyards, small towns, religious centers, and so much more to explore. NOTE: Possible extra night in Florence before departure

Day 2 – Lucca – S.Miniato - 65km

A fairly flat stage that has the tiring uphill stretch in the middle climbing to San Miniato, an interesting medieval town. Gambassi is the gate to the Chianti area and, although the town is of no particular interest, the church which lays just outside its walls, Pieve a Chianni, deserves a stop.

Day 3 – S.Miniato – S.Gimignano - km 57

A very full day as along the route you will find San Gimignano which with its towers and its boutiques deserves at least a 2 hours stop while Monteriggioni is worth a visit. Siena is one of the most famous Italian towns. Do not miss the Duomo with its mosaics ornate soil and take the time to sit at one of the cafes around the Piazza del Campo for an ice-cream.

Day 4 – San Gimignano to Siena - km 60

While you’re enjoying San Gimignano, you will no doubt be fascinated by the marketplaces, shopping, natural squares, architecture, and so much more. There’s a rich history here that you will see from the walls, to the old buildings, and centers. From there you will head to Siena, where the outdoor cafés await, including a recommended spot at Piazza del Campo. You’ll be delighted by what you see and what awaits, for sure

Day 5 – Siena - Montalcino - 50km

A beautiful road through the rugged landscape of the « Crete Senesi » (Creta, meaning clay). Make a detour to visit the Monte Oliveto Maggiore monastery with its imposing brick buildings and its cloister decorated by the superb set of frescoes on the life of San Benedetto by Luca Signorelli. The last 10 keys are a tough uphill.

Day 6 - Montalcino - Proceno - 70km

We have chosen to follow an older version of the Via Francigena that allows to visit 2 of the most interesting abbeys of Tuscany : Sant Antimo, which is said to have been built by Charles the Main and Abbadia San Salvatore, in the crypt of which has been found the first document that mention the Francigena. The road is beautiful offering views of the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO protected landscape, but with important both uphill and downhill gaps. It is the toughest day of the tour.

Day 6 - Proceno – Bolsena - 40km.

An easier day with charming vies of the Bolsena lake. Overnight at Bolsena

Day 7 – Bolsena - Viterbo via Montefiascone - km 50

This is going to be an easier trek overall, and you’ll see some very unique areas. This is away from the beaten path, and you’ll no doubt want to take your time through here. There are some amazing religious elements, including the Pope’s Palace in Viterbo. This is where Popes of the past would go when fleeing persecution in Rome

Day 8 - Viterbo - Sutri - 60km

The road climbs throught the Cimini mountains with chestnut and hazelnuts woods and plantation. Take a rest by the Vico lake, which, like the Bolsena lake is of Volcanic origin

Day 9 - Sutri - Roma - 70km

Sutri, of Etruscan origins, features a Roman Amphitheatre and an ancient pagan temple, then turned into a chapel to the Virgin Mary. The arrival into Rome is made easier by following the cycling route along the Tiber.