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The first section of the stage is simply spectacular: you walk on the ancient Roman paving of the Via Cassia, which is still in excellent condition today. The large stones, smoothed by time and the passage of travellers, tell of centuries of history, giving the pilgrim the feeling of walking the same road travelled by medieval merchants, soldiers and pilgrims.
Leaving the Roman section, the path continues through an open and bright hilly landscape, with sweeping views of Montefiascone and Viterbo. The ups and downs make the route dynamic, but never excessively demanding, and offer ever-changing views of the Tuscia countryside, including cultivated fields, dirt paths and dirt roads.
Descending into the plain, you come to the area of the Terme del Bagnaccio, a historic resting place for pilgrims on the Via Francigena. Here, thermal springs flow, feeding a series of natural pools that have always been appreciated for their beneficial and regenerating properties. (The thermal baths are currently temporarily closed.) Even just passing through this area retains a special atmosphere, suspended between nature and historical memory.
The arrival in Viterbo marks the end of a demanding leg full of charm. Don't miss a visit to the medieval historic centre, one of the best preserved in Italy, and to the characteristic San Pellegrino district, with its towers, stone alleys and the atmosphere of times gone by that seems to take the traveller back to the Middle Ages.
There is little water and no refreshment points along the route: it is essential to set off with a good supply of water and to organise yourself properly, especially in the warmer months.
A stage with a strong historical and scenic value, where archaeology, nature and spa tradition intertwine along one of the most fascinating stretches of the Via Francigena in Lazio.
