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 organizing all the details for an unforgettable experience.

From Tuscany’s famous strade bianche, to the wide open vistas of the Val’ D’Orcia, the rural and undiscovered landscape of Northern Lazio and finally to the magnificent Eternal City of Rome. Following the same route as our Via Francigena Pro Tour, we provide you with all you need to have your own personal pilgrimage.

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 as part of our fully supported cycling experience so we can keep it updated with any changes necessary.

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

The second day provides the transition from Tuscany to Lazio and is also the day our path joins the Via Francigena. Southern Tuscany is far different from the previous day, the colours change and hills become more spread out. We pass through Buonconvento, the home of NovaEroica, through more vineyards that skirt the hill top town of Montalcino. 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. The symbolic gate into Lazio tells you that you have almost arrived at Proceno.

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. 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.

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. Getting closer to Roma, 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.

You can cycle at your own speed, taking breaks where you wish.

A self-guided bike tour like the Pilgrims Way gives you flexibility whilst also providing the support of route preparation and planning, taking all the stress and doubt out of planning a bike tour but keeping the sense of adventure and discovery.

The Pilgrims’ way – Via Francigena is 4 days and 3 nights, departing from Florence and arriving in Rome.

• Day 1: Florence – Siena. Distance 95 km, gain 2100m
• Day 2: Siena – Proceno. Distance 119 km, gain 2550m
• Day 3: Proceno – Sutri. Distance 108 km, gain 1750m
• Day 4: Sutri – Rome. Distance 73 km, gain 750m

If you like the idea of cycling from Florence to Rome but you prefer a guide or van support we can provide you with all you need, please have a look to our Via Francigena pro tour.