Highlights
- Crossing into Lazio
- Acquapendente Cathedral (Holy Sepulchre relic)
- Tuscan-Lazio border landscapes
Stage conditions
| Section | Lazio (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Moderate |
| Shade | Partial |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Radicofani is reached by Autolinee Toscane line FT9 from Chiusi station (about hourly) or B24 from Abbadia San Salvatore; the regional page also points to Chiusi as the rail access for this leg. Acquapendente has no station. Cotral buses are the link: the Viterbo–Acquapendente service via Montefiascone, Bolsena and San Lorenzo Nuovo, and Cotral's interregional Viterbo–Siena line, which stops at Acquapendente (Via Cassia, Porta Sant'Angelo). Orvieto, on the Florence–Rome main line about 30 km away, is the nearest station, with a Cotral Orvieto–Acquapendente service. Rome Fiumicino is the airport hub from here south.
What the season does
The stage data give April to June and September to October with partial shade. The day is a long ridge descent along the old Cassia into the Paglia valley and then a climb into Lazio, and the stage data's warning is knees rather than heat — though the valley floor around Ponte a Rigo and Centeno is exposed and hot in summer. Wind on the Radicofani ridge is a feature in any season. Spring brings the oak woods of upper Lazio into leaf and the sheep out onto the pastures; the volunteer-run parish hostel in Acquapendente opens only from April to October, so outside those months you need a hotel.
Safety on this stage
Two hazards. The regional page warns about the stretch along the state road between Centeno and the Ponte Gregoriano, and the Camminando association's notes add that this Cassia section carries heavy vehicles with little room to walk; a longer, safer variant runs through Proceno and is worth the extra distance. The same notes flag Maremma sheepdogs guarding flocks between Radicofani and La Novella — stop, do not stare, and let them see you leave. The steep descent off the ridge is hard on tired knees; poles help.
Water and food
Moderate. The regional page names refreshments at Ponte a Rigo and Centeno and a water supply at Ponte Gregoriano, and the association notes fountains in every inhabited centre. That still leaves the long descent from Radicofani dry, so leave with a full bottle. Acquapendente has fountains, shops and cafés on the main street.
Where pilgrims sleep
The directory's entry for this stage, the Ostello di Radicofani (pilgrim hostel), is at the start. In Acquapendente the association lists two pilgrim welcomes, La Casa del Pellegrino and the Casa di Lazzaro. La Casa del Pellegrino is a parish hostel on Via Roma with thirteen beds, open April to October, overnight only with bathroom and shower, no kitchen and no heating, on a donation basis — phone ahead. Midway, the region's list names the Casa del Pellegrino at Ponte a Rigo as donation-based pilgrim accommodation if you want to break the day. Hotels and B&Bs cover the rest of the year.
Sources: Visit Tuscany — Leg 37 Radicofani to Acquapendente · Visit Tuscany — pilgrim hospitality, leg 37 · Camminando sulla Via Francigena — IT36 Radicofani–Acquapendente · Camminando sulla Via Francigena — La Casa del Pellegrino, Acquapendente · Visit Radicofani — Info and contacts · Cotral — Linee interregionali · Orari Autobus — Cotral routes from Viterbo · Acquapendente online — Come arrivare · Wikipedia — Rome Fiumicino Airport
Common questions
How long is the Radicofani to Acquapendente stage?
It is 23.0 km (14.3 mi) and takes about 6 hours of walking, from Radicofani to Acquapendente.
How hard is Radicofani to Acquapendente?
It is rated moderate with 250 m of ascent and 600 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Radicofani to Acquapendente stage?
There is a moderate amount of water along this stage — carry enough between resupply points.
How do I get to Radicofani and away from Acquapendente?
Radicofani is reached by Autolinee Toscane line FT9 from Chiusi station (about hourly) or B24 from Abbadia San Salvatore; the regional page also points to Chiusi as the rail access for this leg. Acquapendente has no station. Cotral buses are the link: the Viterbo–Acquapendente service via Montefiascone, Bolsena and San Lorenzo Nuovo, and Cotral's interregional Viterbo–Siena line, which stops at Acquapendente (Via Cassia, Porta Sant'Angelo).
Where do pilgrims sleep in Acquapendente?
The directory's entry for this stage, the Ostello di Radicofani (pilgrim hostel), is at the start. In Acquapendente the association lists two pilgrim welcomes, La Casa del Pellegrino and the Casa di Lazzaro. La Casa del Pellegrino is a parish hostel on Via Roma with thirteen beds, open April to October, overnight only with bathroom and shower, no kitchen and no heating, on a donation basis — phone ahead.
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.