Rolling Dreamers Photo
Bike Tour
ON DEMAND

Via Francigena Light

from €2,190

On our Via Francigena Light Tour we ride from Siena to Rome in five days riding around 60km with 800m of climbing per day.

Departing from Siena this bike tour immediately joins the Via Francigena and traces its path southwards, beginning in the incomparable heart of Tuscany: the Val d’Orcia, taking in the hill top towns of San Quirico d’Orcia and Vignoni Alto.

From there, it crosses into Lazio, leaving behind the tourist trail and ventures into lesser known towns and villages, with highlights such as Viterbo and Lake Bolsena. Finally, an unforgettable finish line awaits in Rome.

Our tour is available either as a fully supported Pro Tour or Self Guided, with or without bike rental.

Start
Siena
Finish
Rome
Duration
5 days
Distance
289km
Total ascent
4150m
Terrain
70% unpaved
Difficulty
Moderate
Price
From € 2,190

The Via Francigena Light tour is 5 days and 5 nights, starting in Siena and finishing in Rome.


Day 1: Siena – San Quirico d’Orcia

Distance: 58km / Climbing: 850m

Day 2: San Quirico d’Orcia – Proceno
Distance: 59km / Climbing: 1200m

Day 3: Proceno – Viterbo
Distance: 60km / Climbing: 850m

Day 4: Viterbo – Campagnano
Distance: 65km / Climbing: 800m

Day 5: Campagnano – Roma
Distance: 47km / Climbing: 450m

Rolling Dreamers Photo

Day 1: Siena – San Quirico d’Orcia

We begin riding immersed in the colli senesi: the Chianti hills that surround the city of Siena. Moving southwards, the landscape today will become increasingly Tuscan as we move towards the Val d’Orcia – a cinematic film set of cypress trees and vineyards. This was, in fact, the location for the famous home-coming scene in the film Gladiator.

Later in the day we arrive in Buonconvento where each year the Nova Eroica gravel cycling event is hosted. The centre of the old town is a charming thoroughfare, devoid of traffic and offering a multitude of food and drink options for the cyclist with a calorie deficit. One last climb and we reach our first stop in San Quirico d’Orcia.

Rolling Dreamers Photo

Day 2: San Quirico d’Orcia – Proceno

On the second day we leave Tuscany and enter Lazio. Though towards the end of the day we will cross the official border, there is in fact no stark difference; the countryside evolves as the second day progresses. Today will finish in a landscape reconisably different from that in which we began. But before departing from Tuscan territory we cycle through the perfectly preserved hilltop town of Vignoni Alto.

Though the distance cycling today is the same as yesterday, there is more climbing to be done! Criss-crossing the Via Cassia we climb up to the castle of Radicofani on the way to our own castle dwelling for the night where we will be greeted by a typical dinner “laziale” (the adjective for things from Lazio) and accommodation in the ancient medieval stronghold of Proceno run by the Countess and her family who have been keepers of the buildings and their surroundings for centuries.

Rolling Dreamers Photo

Day 3: Proceno – Viterbo

The third day starts with a descent and then a steep climb to Aquapendente; its central piazza a thriving hub of local life, especially on market day. If time allows, some people-watching over a cappuccino is not a bad idea. The sparkling surface of Lake Bolsena accompanies us for the middle part of the ride.

The town of Bolsena itself provides a welcome stop with relaxing lake views and a chance to cool off ifthe temperatures are high. We skirt the lake and eventually leave it behind and dive into the woods; here the Via Francigena becomes narrow single track, seemingly unchanged for hundreds of years. Just as old is the ancient Roman road between Montefiascone and Viterbo where we lay our heads for the night.

Rolling Dreamers Photo

Day 4: Viterbo – Campagnano

Departing Viterbo we are in the heart of the ancient territory of the Etruscans; the tiny town of Vetralla seemingly frozen in time. We ride through an almond grove, ducking under the low branches, as the trees are watched over by a tumbled-down tower. Here, the perfectly cultivated vineyards of Tuscany seem far away.

After the next waypoint of Sutri we hit more gravel before arriving at the waterfalls of Monte Gelato. A relaxing dip if weather allows and we are back on the road for the last big challenge of the day: the 300m long 16% climb up to Capagnano di Roma, our last stop before arriving in Rome.

Rolling Dreamers Photo

Day 5: Campagnano – Roma

It is a day of two halves on this last downward-trending day of our Via Francigena cycling tour. We set off into the Parco Regionale di Veio – a regional park and nature reserve – rattling across the cattle grids before passing across the circular road around Rome.

The environment is urban now, we carry the bikes through the underpass beneath the train lines, as the centuries old pilgrimage route clashes with modernity. The final kilometres are a flat respite for the legs, as we follow the bike path and eventually trace the route of the river Tiber all the way into central Rome and Saint Peter’s Square. The perfect spot for some celebratory photographs, a hug or high five.

Via Francigena Light

Self Guided Tour

In the Self Guided version of our Via Francigena Light 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:

€2,190/person


What’s Included

  • GPX files with routes, maps and stage info
  • Accomodation with double room occupancy (3*)
  • 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 €500 per person
  • Daily luggage service (from stage start to stage end each day) €1,900
  • Transfer Florence → Siena (up to 8 people w/ bikes) €450
  • Transfer Rome → Florence (up to 8 people w/ bikes) €900
  • Bag drop Florence → Rome €800
Via Francigena Light

Pro Service Tour

In the Pro Service version of our Via Francigena Light 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:

€3,490/person**


What’s Included

  • Professional bike guide
  • Support van with mechanic
  • Accomodation with double room occupancy (3*)
  • 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 €500 per person
  • Transfer Florence → Siena (up to 8 people w/ bikes) €450
  • Transfer Rome → Florence (up to 8 people w/ bikes) €900

**The Pro tour is available for private groups of 8 or more participants starting from €3,490 per person. For groups smaller than 8 there will be a supplemental charge

Ready for your adventure?

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  • 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.

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