Highlights
- Superb Tuscan accommodation and classic landscapes
- Sampling the best wines of Chianti and Montepulciano
- Riding the ridge of Creti Senesi
- Roman roads, superb singletrack and forest fun
- Riding all the way to Rome and arriving in St Peter’s Square
I’ve been on many Skedaddle trips and this is right up there with the best!
Itinerary
You will be met at Pisa airport and transferred to Siena (approx 2 hours). We’ll have time to build our bike before a briefing on the exciting week to come. A first taste of Italian cuisine will mark the start of our journey.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 850 Metres Approx.
We’ll leave Siena through the ancient town gates and begin our journey south on the Via Francigena and into the Crete Sienesi. Arriving near the ancient Etruscan hamlet of Murlo, time permitting we’ll come off the Via Francigena route and enjoy a fun ride on narrow trails by the Crevole River then up a former mining railway track to Murlo.
Picking up the Via again, we’ll head to Buonconvento were we’ll have time to stop for a refreshing break and visit to the fortified walls. The next section over rolling hills will lead us to San Quirico, a medieval hamlet with a quaint centre were we stop for the night.

- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Ascent: 1,000 Metres Approx.
From San Quirico, we head towards the Orcia valley on a roller coaster track before descending on a fun trail to the medieval hamlet of Bagno Vignoni with its healing baths and water nymphs. After resting and taking time to explore the hot water springs, we’ll head right into the centre of the UNESCO heritage site of Valle D‘Orcia.
From here we’ll start a steady climb towards Radicofani along some well surfaced strade bianche (Italy’s famous white roads). Once here we spend some time in Radicofani relaxing and absorbing the local sites before checking into our accommodation.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 750 Metres Approx.
From Radicofani we bike along one of the most exciting sections of the Via Francigena. Leaving the hamlet behind we’ll ride along the old Via Cassia, the Roman route to Rome, now a cobbled trail surrounded by stunning scenery and dominated by Monte Amiata. A break is taken in Acquapedente, famous for the Romanesque crypt beneath the Basilica del Santo Sepolcro where, according to tradition, some stones bathed in the blood of Christ are thought to have been kept.
Getting back in the saddle we continue biking towards Lazio and Lake Bolsena. The view of the lake will open up as we descend through meadows scattered with olive trees, until we reach Bolsena itself. There we spend time in the evening exploring its fortress and narrow streets.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 950 Metres Approx.
A stunning route that’s initially on a mix of forest trails and singletrack, through woods and olive groves. As we descend into the lower plains we’ll cross an area famous for the production of olive oil, before arriving in Montefiascone where we take a cappuccino break in one of its lovely piazzas.
The next section into Viterbo takes us across cultivated countryside, with the option of stopping off at the thermal waters of Bagnaccioa, before proceeding towards Viterbo. From here we carry on to Vetralla, where the ride ends.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 600 Metres Approx.
After exploring Vetralla, we ride through the green countryside of Lazio, to reach Sutri. This is a small town rich in attractions and includes the Roman amphitheatre which is not to be missed.
Moving on, we pass the waterfalls of Mount Gelato as we head to the lovely town of Campagnano.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 650 Metres Approx.
Leaving Campagnano we enter the Park of Veio and the Valle del Sorbo on a stunning singletrack, before stopping at Formello village. Along the way we’ll be able to see the sanctuary of the Madonna del Sorbo and the old town centre of Formello, with its fine medieval buildings.
From here we take the cyclepath beside the River Tevere, which will lead us to the gates of the Vatican City and St. Peter Square where our journey ends.
- Meals: Breakfast
Time for one last delicious breakfast, before transferring to the airport for flights home (approx 1 hour). Ciao!
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
This beautiful journey to Rome follows the Via Francigena as closely as possible throughout the week. The Via Francigena makes its way south on a multitude of different surfaces. Back roads, forest tracks, strade bianche, country lanes through fields and single tracks.
More often than not the terrain is forgiving, following well surfaced tracks and routes but every day offers some more technical MTB challenges where the terrain is rolling and some steeper climbs and descents should be expected.

Mountain Biking Grade
Distances of 25-50 miles / 40-80 kms per day
Aimed at regular cyclists who have a degree of off road experience
Some moderate and difficult technical sections
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
If you have some experience of off road riding on a variety of terrain, and would like to do more, a grade 3 trip could be for you. These rides give you elements of our higher grade trips but at a manageable level with sections of singletrack (narrow trails wide enough for one rider) and shorter steep sections (both up and down) which require more bike handling ability. A day’s ride can see you on the trails for around 8 hours (with breaks) and covering between 25-50 miles depending on the terrain. If you’re generally fit and manage to ride regularly this could be the level for you.
Excellent holiday – I don’t bother looking at other tour companies!
Dates & Prices

Private Departures
Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.
Whats Included 
A) Accommodation (shared twin / double rooms) in hotels / agriturismi
B) Meals as per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
C) Full tour service, including Skedaddle guides
D) Unless stated, at least one leader qualified in first aid
E) Support vehicle and luggage transfers
F) Airport transfer on scheduled arrival day from Pisa airport (PSA)
G) Airport transfer on scheduled departure day to Rome Fiumicino airport (FCO)
What's not Included 
A) Bike rental (available if required)
B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
C) Single room (available if required)
D) Travel insurance
E) Meals not stated in the itinerary
F) Personal clothing and equipment
G) Personal expenditure (bar bills, hotel facilities etc.)
H) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route
I) Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days
The Essentials
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Reviews
Nicky, South AfricaExcellent holiday!Excellent Holiday – I don’t bother looking at other tour companies! And now trying to find one that I haven’t done yet!
We had a fabulous fun group of riders and guides on this trip. It was so nice to meet up with Jean Franco who (I don’t think) was our main guide last year. His girlfriend Judita was great company. I was sad that I hadn’t gone on to do the Scotland Highlands Coast to Coast trip immediately afterwards as had such FOMO (fear of missing out) when I got home!
Mark, Newcastle, UKAnother magnificent trip!Another magnificent trip with a big number of participants to deal with. Naomi is superb with her prep. Great food again. Riding into the Vatican is hard to beat. I’ve been on many Skedaddle trips and this is right up there with the best, and the road to Rome is a great one to do with not being the hardest, but still a good test. Looking forward to next year.
Richard, Derbyshire, UKGreat service!Never anything less than great service. The guides always try to meet everybody’s expectations and in particular, in this case, to amend the last day under pressure. I thought they did a great job.
John, Somerset, UKA Special TripVery good route with varied terrain – good group, very well planned and organised. Lovely variety of small hotels and agritourismos, full of character and well chosen. Day 6 was my favourite – we cycled through vineyards, hazel groves, long single track by river, by the Roman Amphitheatre -very special!
Robert, UKGreat group dynamic!Something fun cycling wise every day. Group worked well.