Highlights
- Viterbo Papal Palace
- San Pellegrino medieval quarter
- City of the Popes
- Thermal baths
Stage conditions
| Section | Lazio (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Abundant |
| Shade | Partial |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Montefiascone has Cotral buses on the Viterbo–Acquapendente and Pitigliano–Viterbo lines and, 3 km out, Zepponami station on the Viterbo–Attigliano line. Viterbo is the transport hub of Tuscia: Porta Romana and Porta Fiorentina stations have Trenitalia FL3 trains to Rome — roughly hourly off-peak to Roma Ostiense, some to Tiburtina, and most terminate at Porta Romana; the association notes FS lines from Rome and from Orte. Cotral and Astral also run the separate Rome–Viterbo railway to Piazzale Flaminio, and Cotral buses fan out from the city. Rome Fiumicino is the airport, linked to Rome by the Leonardo Express and FL trains.
What the season does
The stage data give March to June and September to November with partial shade — the descent from Montefiascone crosses open farmland and a stretch of Roman basalt road, sunny and warm by midday in summer, then the plain around the Bagnaccio hot springs, which walkers use in cooler months. The date to know is 3 September, when the Macchina di Santa Rosa, a thirty-metre illuminated tower, is carried through Viterbo's old town by a hundred porters before crowds of thousands: an extraordinary thing to see, and the reason every bed in the city is gone that week. Viterbo's parish pilgrim hostel runs March to September.
Safety on this stage
No warnings in the stage data or in the association's notes. The descent from the Rocca is on lanes and tracks, and the only care needed is at the road crossings on the plain before Viterbo, and in the suburbs on the way to Porta Fiorentina, where traffic is heavy. The Roman basalt paving is uneven and slippery when wet. Viterbo's medieval quarter is safe but its cobbles are hard on tired feet.
Water and food
Abundant. The association's notes say fountains are present in inhabited centres; Montefiascone and Viterbo both have them, and the farms and the Bagnaccio area in between have nothing you should rely on. Fill up in Montefiascone's old town, carry a litre, and refill at the first fountain inside Viterbo's walls. The San Pellegrino quarter has cafés and fountains on nearly every corner.
Where pilgrims sleep
The directory's Viterbo entries — the Ostello del Pellegrino Viterbo (pilgrim hostel) and the Hotel Nibbio (hotel) — are where you sleep tonight. The Ospitale del Pellegrino on Via San Pellegrino, in the medieval quarter, belongs to the parish of Santa Maria Nuova and is run by the Amici della Via Francigena Viterbo: open March to September, one night only, breakfast, credenziali issued and stamped, and a pilgrim blessing on request. The Camminando notes also list the Ospitale Torretta Pio VI, the Convento Cappuccini (Casa San Paolo) and the Istituto Adoratrici Sangue di Cristo.
Sources: Camminando sulla Via Francigena — IT39 Montefiascone–Viterbo · Amici della Via Francigena Viterbo — Ospitale del Pellegrino · Wikipedia (it) — Stazione di Viterbo Porta Romana · Wikipedia — FL3 (Lazio regional railways) · Wikipedia — Rome–Civita Castellana–Viterbo railway · Wikipedia — Macchina di Santa Rosa · Cotral — Linee interregionali · Wikipedia — Rome Fiumicino Airport
Common questions
How long is the Montefiascone to Viterbo stage?
It is 18.0 km (11.2 mi) and takes about 4.5 hours of walking, from Montefiascone to Viterbo.
How hard is Montefiascone to Viterbo?
It is rated easy with 150 m of ascent and 350 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Montefiascone to Viterbo stage?
Water is abundant along this stage.
How do I get to Montefiascone and away from Viterbo?
Montefiascone has Cotral buses on the Viterbo–Acquapendente and Pitigliano–Viterbo lines and, 3 km out, Zepponami station on the Viterbo–Attigliano line. Viterbo is the transport hub of Tuscia: Porta Romana and Porta Fiorentina stations have Trenitalia FL3 trains to Rome — roughly hourly off-peak to Roma Ostiense, some to Tiburtina, and most terminate at Porta Romana; the association notes FS lines from Rome and from Orte. Cotral and Astral also run the separate Rome–Viterbo railway to Piazzale Flaminio, and Cotral buses fan out from the city.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Viterbo?
The directory's Viterbo entries — the Ostello del Pellegrino Viterbo (pilgrim hostel) and the Hotel Nibbio (hotel) — are where you sleep tonight. The Ospitale del Pellegrino on Via San Pellegrino, in the medieval quarter, belongs to the parish of Santa Maria Nuova and is run by the Amici della Via Francigena Viterbo: open March to September, one night only, breakfast, credenziali issued and stamped, and a pilgrim blessing on request. The Camminando notes also list the Ospitale Torretta Pio VI, the Convento Cappuccini (Casa San Paolo) and the Istituto Adoratrici Sangue di Cristo.
Walk this stage
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