Via Francigena from Acquapendente to Viterbo

In this city, you can do some sightseeing and visit the marvellous Acquapendente Cathedral (Basilica del Santo Sepulcro) and the stunning Torre Alfina. Acquapendente is an agricultural city, known for its vegetable and wine products, so be sure to sample what the city can offer.

Starting your walk to Bolsena today, the route goes through the beautiful countryside on rural tracks before entering San Lorenzo Nuovo. From the town’s main square, and when leaving the town, you will see the glorious Lago di Bolsena. The path from here is a mix of gravel roads and tarmac roads, through fields uphill and downhill for some time. Eventually, going by the Volsini archaeological site, you will enter the town of Bolsena, situated by Lago di Bolsena. Here, we recommend that you visit the Castle of Bolsena and the Church of Saint Cristina, which contains catacombs.

Today’s walk is quite short. There is quite a bit of hill-walking, offering minor challenge. However, gravel tracks and tarmac roads in between break up the hill-walking and you are accompanied by really beautiful nature, walking by rivers and nice woods. Take a moment to witness this nature and breathe in the fresh air. Once you reach the great Church of San Flaviano and continue up the hills, you will enter Montefisacone. You can relax here before seeing the wonderful Montefiascone Cathedral – one of the oldest buildings by architect Michele Sanmicheli. It was a ruin in 1330 and took three centuries to be rebuilt. A fire then damaged it, taking a further ten years to repair. Its interior was fully restored in 1893.

Leaving Montefiascone the city is quite hilly, but it is not difficult to walk on. Outside of the city, there is more hillwalking with intermittent gravel tracks and earth roads. Much like the route to Montefiascone, it is a bit challenging but is not hard to do, and mixed in with amazing woods and small forests. As part of the woods in Bagnaccio, you can rest here at the fantastic natural hot thermal baths. The rest of the way is not strenuous as you’re walking on roads entering Viterbo.

After breakfast we bid you farewell. Try to visit the incredible Papal Palace, as well as the many Romanesque churches established in the city, before you leave. Trying the local Lombrichelli pasta and Tozzetti (a biscuit made with organic hazelnuts) is also a must.