A beautiful walking path. Around 18C.

Rained for about an hour and had to put on Gortex and rain covers for our packs. Cleared up and starting climb up to Fucecchio.

Looking back part way up to Fucecchio.

Enjoying a yogurt on the Museum steps at Fucecchio. 23C.

Carrying on and enjoying the walk.

Roadside stand in San Miniato Basso with complimentary goodies for pilgrims.

Finished the big climb to San Miniato to end our 29.3 km day. Checked in to our apartment then walking around the centre and enjoying the spectacular views.

Looking back at San Miniato.

It is getting warmer and there are lots of up and down along the mountain road.

Another view of San Miniato further in the distance.

First aid box containing items a pilgrim may find helpful.

The trail is washed out here so have to detour around.

Time for lunch break. 26c.

We continue to enjoy this amazing day. After the first hour we are on a beautiful trail.

Stunning views.

We pass many vineyards and wildflowers in abundance.

It doesn’t get any better than this!

Video: walking alongside the wildflowers.

Rich is thrilled that we see some of the cars in the 1000 Miglia.

Video: 1000 Miglia

Video: 1000 Miglia

San Miniato to Gambassi Terme 24 Kms.

All the comforts of home! Our apartment is well equipped, including an espresso machine.

Walking out of Gambassi Terme we met up with our host, Franco. He was out picking mushrooms this Saturday morning.

Now in the Chianti countryside. Lots of opportunities for wine tasting, but we moved along.

Beautiful views. Very undulating today.

San Gimignano in the distance.

Uphill climb to San Gimignano. Just 13.5 km today, 26C. Checked in to our apartment (shared kitchen). We are off to find a cappuccino, walk around the square and buy provisions for snack and lunch tomorrow. Going out for pizza tonight.

San Gimignano in the distance.

Video: Crossing a creek.

We decided to take the alternate thru the town of Colle di Val D’Elsa.

It’s a beautiful day. 26C at the moment.

Video: on the trail.

Final climb to Monteriggioni.

At the gate to Monteriggioni. 28 km today.

View from our B&B.

Stopped at the Info Centre to get our credentials stamped. Have to do this each day of our pilgrimage.

Rain, thunder and lightening tonight. Luckily there is a restaurant right next door to our B&B.

Italian bathrooms all come equipped with a ‘foot soaker’!

San Gimignano to Monteriggioni 30.9 Kms.

At the gate, leaving Monteriggioni.

Monteriggioni in the distance.

It’s a beautiful morning with rain threatening later.

Trail is a bit muddy.

Video: Walking thru the mud. This was mild compared to later on when we had some climbing to do in the slippery mud. So thankful we had poles!

14th Century Castillo Della Chiocciola in the background.

Ahh, rest area where we could get a cappuccino (by donation).

Group of Italians we have seen along the trail. They often sing in harmony as they walk! They insisted on a photo.

Video: Lunch

A lovely lunch spot!

The trail was a bit rugged in some areas.

After the usual big climb—we reach our destination of Siena. 22 Kms. We walk straight to the Duomo and stop at the Info Centre across the street to get our credentials stamped.

Such an interesting, efficient check-in to B&B Quattro Cantoni. We were sent a code for the door and walked upstairs to find our room with the key in the door. Included is a breakfast coupon for a cafe on the corner for the morning.

Piazza del Campo.

Enjoying a cappuccino on the plaza.

Just after the rain starts and we put on our Gortex, the sun comes out!

Rome is our final destination.

Thought we were done with the mud yesterday!

This is the third time we put on rain gear and then it gets sunny so it comes off.

We bypass the town of Monteroni.

Heading for Buonconvento.

Unfortunately another muddy section!

Getting close to Buonconvento.

We checked in to our Casa and in search of a grocery store. This is the gate of Buonconvento, our destination for the day, 31 Kms.

On our way to San Quirico.

A bit foggy.

On a clear day views would be great.

Lunch.

We can see San Quirico in the distance.

Entering the gate.

Church in town centre. 21 Kms. today.

On a clear day the views would be amazing.

Bell tower in Vignoni.

Still overcast and foggy but very comfortable for walking. Lots of climbs and descents today.

Still foggy but warming up.

Thermal pool at Bagno Vignoni.

Probably the only place encountered today for a coffee break so we take the opportunity.

Pedestrian bridge.

It’s clearing up and the vistas are lovely.

Warming up—27C.

Lovely spot for a pilgrim break and we stop for lunch and fill our water bottles.

The wildflowersare beautiful.

Lots of climbing and feeling the heat out in the open.

A really pleasant section walking on a path thru the fields.

Video: Strolling thru the field.

Video: Crossing the stream.

Video: Sheep.

Our destination is in sight. The final climb to Radicofani is about 6.5 Kms. Total for today is 32.5 Kms. Total ascent for the day is 1081m and descent is 702m.

Looking back at Radicofani in the distance.

Lovely vistas.

Getting very hot, 30C.

City Hall Acquapendente, our destination for the day. 24 Kms today. Our B&B was over a km past the town.

We stop for cappuccino and goodies in San Lorenzo.

Here in San Lorenzo we meet up with the Italian group of guys who sing as the walk. They take our photo.

We see Lake Bolsena in the distance.

Wildflowers in abundance.

Video: It’s been a beautiful day walking amongst the wildflowers, 31C.

Our hotel is a km before the city of Bolsena so we will visit the town centre on our way in the morning. 24 Kms today.

Beer and snack in the garden of the hotel overlooking the lake.

Three hours to go to reach Montefiascone.

Video: Lots of wildflowers again today.

Lunch.

It’s Sunday and we see participants in a walking marathon going by as we have lunch.

Lake Bolsena is still in view.

Approaching Montefiascone, about 4 Kms away.

Looking back at the lake.

We reach Montefiascone, our destination for two nights. 18 Kms today. Tomorrow we take a day off from walking to visit Civita di Bagnoregio.

Today is a day off walking so that we could take a side trip to Civita di Bagnoregio. Caught the bus in. Montefiascone to Bagnoregio and from there walked to Civita di Bagnoregio.

Walking across the pedestrian bridge.

Civita di Bagnoregio is an isolated mountain top village accessed only by a \240pedestrian or motor scooter bridge.

Lots of lovely cafes and restaurants.

We enjoyed Bruschetta and wine.

Leaving thru the gates. Walked back to Bagnoregio and returned to Montefiascone by bus. Tomorrow we walk to Viterbo.

The view leaving Montefiascone.

Looking back at Montefiascone.

Old Roman road.

Roma—our final destination.

Walking on paths thru farmlands.

Thermal baths on our way to Viterbo.

Cemetery near Viterbo.

Beautiful door of Cathedral San Lorenzo. We are enjoying a walk around Viterbo after checking in to Hotel Tuscia. 18 Kms today.

Palazzo Papale.

Palazzo Papale.

Cathedral San Lorenzo in Viterbo.

Tower of Cathedral San Lorenzo.

Leaving Viterbo

A couple of runners direct us to an alternate route they said was more beautiful. They were right!

Video:

Passing thru lots of farmlands again today. 28C.

We see Vetralla in the distance. Our destination for the day.

We arrive too early to check in so look around Vetralla Centre. 18 Kms today.

Tower in Vetralla destroyed in WWII and rebuilt.

Passing by Hazelnut Orchards.

Signage!

Don’t know what kind of trees these are but they are beautiful—and providing shade!

Coffee break in Caprinica.

Entering old town of Caprinica.

Walking thru old town of Caprinica.

Leaving Caprinica.

Big descent leaving Caprinica.

Walking thru the forest—appreciating the shade.

Beautiful walk today.

Sutri in view—up the hill.

Entering Sutri.

And UP!

Arrived early to check in to our apartment so stopped at town square. Perfect walking day—24kms, 24C.

View from our apartment.

Another view from our apartment.

Sutri in the background.

Amfiteatro in Sutri.

Very busy road leaving Sutri and happy to be back on trails arriving in Monteroni for coffee break.

It’s getting hot—30C. Not much shade today.

Canpagnano di Roma in sight— just UP THE HILL!

Piazza Lionelli in Campagnano di Roma, our destination for the day 25 Kms, 30C.

Enjoying our apartment, Cassetta Marconi, in Campagnano di Roma.

Climbing up the steps out of Campagnano di Roma.

Colourful walk.

It’s getting hot—30C. Not much shade or breeze.

Horse riders in the park.

Lunch in Formello.

Walking thru Formello.

Lots of butterflies.

Video: soon we will start the long climb to La Storta, our destination for the day. 24 Kms.

Walking up thru Monte Mario Park where we are getting views of the city.

St Peter’s is in view now. Our final destination.

Video: Toast to our Via Francigena.

Beautiful flowers along the rugged trail down.

We have arrived! 18 days, approx. 420 Kms.

Video: St Peter’s Square.

View from our hotel, Aberdeen. We stayed here when we were in Rome 5 years ago.

Celebratory beer on our deck.

Well-deserved dinner just up the street. Tomorrow we will go out for a special dinner.