Highlights
- Ancient Via Cassia
- Cimini hills
- Etruscan heritage
Stage conditions
| Section | Lazio (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Scarce |
| Shade | Full |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Viterbo has FL3 trains to Rome from Porta Romana and Porta Fiorentina, the Cotral/Astral Rome–Viterbo railway to Piazzale Flaminio, and Cotral buses. Vetralla is on the same Rome–Capranica–Viterbo line: every FL3 regional stops at its station, hourly off-peak to Roma Ostiense or Tiburtina and to Viterbo, dropping to every two hours at weekends and in summer. The station is at La Cura, outside the old town, so allow for the walk. Cotral's Viterbo–Roma Saxa Rubra buses stop in Vetralla and at La Cura. Rome Fiumicino is the airport hub.
What the season does
The stage data give March to June and September to November with full shade — this is a woodland day through the Cimini hills, and it stays cool longer than the open Tuscia stages. Rain is the seasonal issue: the tracks through the woods hold water in spring and autumn, and the association rates the day moderate for its ups and downs. Leaving Viterbo on 3 September, the day of the Macchina di Santa Rosa, means walking out through crowds and finding the city's beds gone the night before. Vetralla's parish hostel opens from February to the end of October.
Safety on this stage
The association's notes give one warning: at the exit from Viterbo near Via San Paolo three marked routes diverge, and the shorter Strada Signorino variant needs great attention to traffic. Take the longer marked option if you are unsure. In the woods the hazard is only mud and the occasional hunter in autumn; wear something visible. Vetralla's approach is on ordinary streets.
Water and food
Water is scarce on this stage: the association's notes say there are no water sources on the route — no villages between Viterbo and Vetralla. Trust the sourced warning: fill every bottle inside Viterbo's walls and carry at least a litre and a half through the woods. Vetralla has fountains and bars in the centre, about 500 m from the trail.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory's Viterbo entries — the Ostello del Pellegrino Viterbo (pilgrim hostel) and the Hotel Nibbio (hotel) — are where you start; it has no entry for Vetralla yet. In Vetralla the parish of San Francesco runs the Ostello San Francesco on Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, 500 m from the route: eight beds in two rooms, open 1 February to 31 October, no kitchen or laundry but hand-washing allowed and a line to dry on, donation basis. The Camminando association also lists the Monastero Regina Pacis and, off route, Familarca. There are hotels and B&Bs on the Cassia approach.
Sources: Camminando sulla Via Francigena — IT40 Viterbo–Vetralla · Camminando sulla Via Francigena — IT41 Vetralla–Sutri · Camminando sulla Via Francigena — Ostello San Francesco, Vetralla · Camminando sulla Via Francigena — L'accoglienza pellegrina · Wikipedia (it) — Stazione di Viterbo Porta Romana · Wikipedia (it) — Stazione di Vetralla · Wikipedia — FL3 (Lazio regional railways) · Orari Autobus — Cotral routes from Viterbo · Wikipedia — Macchina di Santa Rosa
Common questions
How long is the Viterbo to Vetralla stage?
It is 18.0 km (11.2 mi) and takes about 4.5 hours of walking, from Viterbo to Vetralla.
How hard is Viterbo to Vetralla?
It is rated easy with 250 m of ascent and 280 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Viterbo to Vetralla stage?
Water is scarce on this stage. Carry what you need before you set out.
How do I get to Viterbo and away from Vetralla?
Viterbo has FL3 trains to Rome from Porta Romana and Porta Fiorentina, the Cotral/Astral Rome–Viterbo railway to Piazzale Flaminio, and Cotral buses. Vetralla is on the same Rome–Capranica–Viterbo line: every FL3 regional stops at its station, hourly off-peak to Roma Ostiense or Tiburtina and to Viterbo, dropping to every two hours at weekends and in summer. The station is at La Cura, outside the old town, so allow for the walk.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Vetralla?
Our directory's Viterbo entries — the Ostello del Pellegrino Viterbo (pilgrim hostel) and the Hotel Nibbio (hotel) — are where you start; it has no entry for Vetralla yet. In Vetralla the parish of San Francesco runs the Ostello San Francesco on Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, 500 m from the route: eight beds in two rooms, open 1 February to 31 October, no kitchen or laundry but hand-washing allowed and a line to dry on, donation basis. The Camminando association also lists the Monastero Regina Pacis and, off route, Familarca.
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.