Highlights
- Monte Mario — Mons Gaudii (Hill of Joy)
- First view of St Peter's dome
- Medieval pilgrims' viewpoint
Stage conditions
| Section | Lazio (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Abundant |
| Shade | Partial |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
La Storta station on the FL3 has trains every fifteen minutes off-peak to Roma Tiburtina and services to Ostiense and San Pietro; Cotral buses stop on the Cassia. Monte Mario has its own FL3 station, Roma Monte Mario, on the northern edge of Primavalle, with the same line and an urban bus stop outside. The Villa Monte Mario hostel notes the Camilluccia/Trionfale bus stop, served by bus 913 from Lepanto on Metro line A. Rome Fiumicino is the airport, with FL1 trains to Tiburtina, Ostiense and Trastevere and the Leonardo Express to Termini.
What the season does
The stage data give March to June and September to November with partial shade. This is a city day: the association describes asphalt and chaotic traffic along the Cassia and Via Trionfale, broken only by the quiet of the Insugherata nature reserve, which is the shaded, muddy-after-rain part. In summer the pavements radiate heat and there is little cover until the reserve; go early. Rome's beds are under pressure at Easter, in Holy Week and around major Vatican events at any time of year, and a Jubilee year multiplies that — book Monte Mario and Rome well ahead.
Safety on this stage
The association's warning is precise: pay great attention walking along the SS2 Cassia out of La Storta, because in places the pavement is absent, and the stage data adds traffic and noise throughout. Signage in the city suffers continual vandalism, so keep the GPS track on and follow the waymarks carefully. The Insugherata reserve is safe but rough underfoot after rain. Cross the big junctions at lights, never mid-block.
Water and food
Abundant. The association says fountains are present at many points in the city, and Rome's street fountains — the nasoni — are drinkable. La Storta's shops, the bars along Via Trionfale and the fountains on Monte Mario itself mean you can carry less than on any Lazio day. The reserve has no fountains, so top up before you enter it.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory's La Storta entry, the Centro di Spiritualità La Storta (convent), is where you start; its Rome entries — the Casa del Pellegrino Roma (pilgrim hostel) and the Hotel Santa Maria (hotel) — belong to the final stage. On Monte Mario itself the Ostello Villa Monte Mario on Via Trionfale, a ninety-four-bed youth hostel run by the Carmelite Sisters DCJ inside the nature reserve, explicitly welcomes Via Francigena pilgrims, with breakfast included, a chapel and a restaurant, but fixed reception hours and no pets. Most walkers push on the last hour into Rome and sleep near the Vatican.
Sources: Camminando sulla Via Francigena — IT44 La Storta–Roma · Ospitalità Religiosa — Ostello Villa Monte Mario, Rome · Wikipedia (it) — Stazione di La Storta · Wikipedia (it) — Stazione di Roma Monte Mario · Wikipedia — FL3 (Lazio regional railways) · Wikipedia — Rome Fiumicino Airport
Common questions
How long is the La Storta to Monte Mario stage?
It is 16.0 km (9.9 mi) and takes about 4 hours of walking, from La Storta to Monte Mario.
How hard is La Storta to Monte Mario?
It is rated easy with 180 m of ascent and 100 m of descent over urban terrain.
Is there water on the La Storta to Monte Mario stage?
Water is abundant along this stage.
How do I get to La Storta and away from Monte Mario?
La Storta station on the FL3 has trains every fifteen minutes off-peak to Roma Tiburtina and services to Ostiense and San Pietro; Cotral buses stop on the Cassia. Monte Mario has its own FL3 station, Roma Monte Mario, on the northern edge of Primavalle, with the same line and an urban bus stop outside. The Villa Monte Mario hostel notes the Camilluccia/Trionfale bus stop, served by bus 913 from Lepanto on Metro line A.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Monte Mario?
Our directory's La Storta entry, the Centro di Spiritualità La Storta (convent), is where you start; its Rome entries — the Casa del Pellegrino Roma (pilgrim hostel) and the Hotel Santa Maria (hotel) — belong to the final stage. On Monte Mario itself the Ostello Villa Monte Mario on Via Trionfale, a ninety-four-bed youth hostel run by the Carmelite Sisters DCJ inside the nature reserve, explicitly welcomes Via Francigena pilgrims, with breakfast included, a chapel and a restaurant, but fixed reception hours and no pets. Most walkers push on the last hour into Rome and sleep near the Vatican.
Walk this stage
Open the full stage list to plan the legs either side, browse heritage along the route, or get the free Via Francigena Walk app for offline maps and GPS on the trail.