Rolling Dreamers Photo
Bike Tour
ON DEMAND

Via Francigena Classic

from €1,690

An unforgettable four day bike tour, cycling from Florence to Rome following the Via Francigena, averaging around 100km and 1800m of climbing each day.

Departing from the timeless skyline of Florence and setting off on Tuscany’s famous gravel roads: the strade bianche, location of the famous one day bike race and host of various stages of the Giro d’Italia, tracing the pilgrims’ way – the Via Francigena – and finishing in The Eternal City of Rome.

Available either as a fully supported Pro Tour or Self Guided, with or without bike rental.

Start
Florence
Finish
Rome
Duration
4 Riding Days
Distance
395 km
Total ascent
7150m
Terrain
70% unpaved
Difficulty
Challenging
Price
from €1,690

The Pilgrims’ Way – Via Francigena is 4 riding days and 4 nights, departing from Florence and arriving in Rome.

 

Day 1: Florence – Siena
Distance: 95km / Climbing: 2100m

Day 2: Siena – Proceno
Distance: 119km / Climbing: 2550m

Day 3: Proceno – Sutri
Distance: 108km / Climbing: 1750m

Day 4: Sutri – Rome
Distance: 73km / Climbing: 750m

Rolling Dreamers Photo

The Via Francigena has been a route followed by pilgrims for hundreds of years. We have planned an itinerary that takes in the best of this ancient trail with points of interest along the way. Each day you follow the path planned by our local expert guides. We ride this route regularly and keep it updated with any changes necessary.

Day 1: Florence – Siena

The tour starts in Florence, leaving behind the renaissance magnificence of the Tuscan city and heads south, weaving through the vineyards of Chianti Classico; a text-book Tuscan landscape of wine growers and olive trees. Towns like Greve-in-Chianti or Panzano-in-Chianti can provide a rest stop before more strade bianche (traditional tuscan gravel or “white” roads) to Volpaia. Castello di Brolio provides a spectacular backdrop for the final descent down towards Siena and the wide open vistas of the Val d’Orcia with its cypress-lined “Gladiatorial” avenues.

 

Rolling Dreamers Photo

Day 2: Siena – Proceno

After Siena we join the historic route of the Via Francigena. This ancient road for pilgrims starts in Cantebury in England and ends in Rome; our final destination on this tour. The second day provides the transition from Tuscany to Lazio and is far different from the previous day, the colours change and hills become more spread out.

The historic centres of San Quirico d’Orcia and Vignoni Alto are a lesson in contrasts: where one has grown into a modern Italian town, the other has stayed frozen in time.

In an area steeped in the cycling history of the famous Eroica races, the wine references change: from Chianti to Rosso di Montalcino – as does the geography, with well-known Tuscany becoming the undiscovered landscape of Northern Lazio. The symbolic gate into Lazio tells you that you have almost arrived at Proceno.

 

Rolling Dreamers Photo

Day 3: Proceno – Sutri

The Castle of Proceno and its surrounding town are a few kilometres away from the Tuscany-Lazio border but as the Contessa of the castle says “it might as well be an ocean” for the changes that occur in that distance. Continuing the pilgrimage amidst forests, on Roman roads originally constructed many centuries ago, we pass towns whose high walls and stout gates remind us of a darker, more dangerous past.

Rural northern Lazio is rarely featured on the tourist trail and a coffee stop in the magnificent main square of Aquapendente allows for a glimpse into local life. Once sighted, Bolsena Lake provides a way point (and a potential lunch stop) until we leave it behind to ride through Viterbo and Montefiascone on the way to Sutri.

Rolling Dreamers Photo

Day 4: Sutri – Rome

The last day is the shortest but perhaps also the most memorable. The Cascata di Monte Gelato is a waterfall that can provide a refreshing stop if the day is warm before the short, steep climb into Campagnano di Roma. There’s time for a coffee in the main piazza before continuing on.

Getting closer to Roma, ancient meets modern as we navigate the last kilometres of flat cycle path join the River Tiber and leads us into the heart of Rome, past the Castel Sant’Angelo. A short flight of stairs, a couple of traffic lights, turn a corner and the immense, arrow straight road to Saint Peter’s Basilica greets us.

 

Via Francigena CLASSIC

Self Guided Tour

In the Self Guided version of our Via Francigena bike tour you will independently carry out the trip together with your group while we take care of organising all the details for an unforgettable experience.


Starting price:

€1,690/person


What’s Included

  • GPX files with routes, maps and stage info
  • Accommodation with double room occupancy (4 stars)
  • Breakfast each day
  • Rolling Dreamers welcome pack
  • Extra goodies and lots of advice on unmissable views, places to eat and drink and hidden gems
  • 24H remote support

Optional Extras

  • Gravel bike rental €550 per bike
  • Single supplement €400 per person
  • Bag drop Florence → Rome €800
  • Daily luggage service (from stage start to stage end each day) €1,900
  • Transfer Rome → Florence (up to 8 people, luggage included) €900
Via Francigena CLASSIC

Pro Service Tour

In the Pro Service version of our Via Francigena bike tour you will be accompanied by our expert guides whilst they take care of all the practical details so that you can enjoy a unique and memorable experience.


Starting price:

€2,990/person**


What’s Included

  • Professional bike guide
  • Support van with mechanic
  • Accommodation with double room occupancy (4 stars)
  • Breakfast each day
  • Dinner each day
  • Rolling Dreamers welcome pack
  • Fun, authentic views, unmissable places to eat and drink

Optional Extras

  • Gravel bike rental €550 per bike
  • Single supplement €400 per person
  • Transfer Rome → Florence (up to 8 people, luggage included) €900

**The Pro tour is available for private groups of 8 or more participants starting from €2,990 per person. For groups smaller than 8 there will be a supplemental charge

Ready for your adventure?

Request a personalised quote

Starting price €1,690/person

Required field
Required field
Required field
Required field
Required field
Required field
  • Double room occupancy must be booked in pairs – either as a double or twin room.
  • Guide/riders ratio is 1 to 8 (e.g. for 8+ participants groups there are 2 guides on the road).
  • For the Self Guided Tour there will be a dedicated member of the Rolling Dreamers staff available for remote assistance and 24h support. There will be no staff members traveling with the group.
  • The Self Guided Tour is available for private groups of 2 or more participants. 
  • The Pro Service Tour is available for private groups of 6 or more participants. 
  • During the Pro Tour there will be a Rolling Dreamers bike guide for every 8 participants (example: for a group of 9 there would be 2 guides riding with the group).

Cancellation policy

  • A deposit is required to secure all bookings. 25% of the total amount will be non-refundable.
  • 10 weeks before the trip starts the remaining balance for the trip must be paid.
  • Within 4 weeks of the tour start date, 50% will be non-refundable.
  • Within 1 week of the tour start date, 100% is non-refundable.

Other Cycling Adventures