The Appian Way: Via Francigena Rome to Formia

Arrival in Rome. Depending on your arrival time, you can go for a short walk in this stunning town.

Today starts with one of the most exciting stretches of what nowadays is known as the Via Francigena del Sud. You will follow the Roman Via Appia, perhaps the most famous road of the Roman Empire, a real walk through history, touching some of the most famous monuments in the world.

You’ll start in the heart of Rome and walk southern towards the Porta San Sebastiano, one of the old Roman town gates. Here you leave the heart of the city and walk onto the Via Appia Antica, plunging into a unique landscape. Proceed to Castel Gandolfo, summer residence of the Popes and the end point of today’s stage.

Leaving the Palace of the Pope and the historic centre of Castel Gandolfo behind, walk with a splendid view of Lake Albano and the surrounding woods. At the Roman Amphitheatre, go down to the right towards the centre of Albano Laziale. After Albano Laziale, enter a dense wooded area that runs along Lake Albano, here and there on the path emerge ancient remains, presumably canalizations in opus reticulatum (diamond-shaped bricks of tuff). Taking another path in the woods, continue in the direction of Nemi, a town that rises on the homonymous lake.

Today’s walk concludes at Velletri.

After a relaxed breakfast you will leave Velletri and proceed into the Lepini Mountains. Pass near the lake of Giulianello and cross through the town. Continue towards Colle Illirio to take a picturesque road that goes between farms which will take you to the slopes of the hill where the ancient city of Cori and its beautiful Temple of Hercules rise, today’s destination.

Today’s route brings you to one of the most interesting parts of Lazio, on the edge of the Lepini Mountains and the plains. Leave Norma, descending from the hill where the town is located, using an ancient paved path.

Once on the provincial road, you will continue in the direction of the Cistercian Abbey of Valvisciolo, a splendid example of Romanesque-Gothic religious architecture. Continue to an ancient path that climbs up the hill where the beautiful medieval village of Sermoneta stands. Once in town, you will continue along the alleys of the historic centre until you reach the imposing Baronial Castle Caetani with its mighty ramparts.

Today is only a short walk, but there is a beautiful long extension option that adds a loop through the historical village of Bassiano. At the exit of the historical centre of Sermoneta, you have the choice to take a dirt road that will lead you through the hills – beautiful landscapes covered with sunflowers with grazing cattle herds around all the way towards the centre of Sezze, overlooking the plain to the mythical headland of the Circeo.

The origins of the town of Sezze have their roots in myths; it is told that it was Hercules who founded the town when he arrived at Sezze after conquering the Lestrigons. The town probably had Latin origins in Volschi territory and then passed under the direct control of Rome. Sezze had numerous battles with the neighbouring towns, especially against Priverno and this was why it was fortified by the Romans. In 382 B.C. the town became a Latin colony. where, having reached the end of the stage, we will be able to visit the Municipal Archaeological Museum.

Today is a short walk, but there is a lot to see along the road! At the exit of the town of Sezze, you take a dirt road that runs along the mountain slopes, from where you have great views over the landscape of the plains of Latina province up to the Tyrrhenian coast.

Continue for about 3km to the town of Madonna del Colle, from where you continue through Colle Rotondo and Ceriara, following a path that runs along a canal to the town of Priverno. From there, a short downhill section brings you to the beautiful Abbey of Fossanova, visible from far away.

A splendid example of Gothic architecture, the Cistercian abbey of Fossanova has its roots in the 12th century and is worth a prolonged visit (on request it is possible to sleep here). After the visit to the abbey, you continue in the direction of Sonnino.

After breakfast you’ll start a slow and gradual ascent towards the charming village of Sonnino. After a short visit you’ll continue your walk through enchanting mountain landscapes, forests, and untouched nature. You have two options today: either you can walk directly to Monte San Biagio (shortcut), or you can walk through the enchanting forest to the beautiful seaside town of Terracina. This walk will bring you through the forest to one of the most interesting geological features of the area, the rock outcrops of Campo Soriano. You then continue in southern direction and start descending towards Terracina. You’ll settle in the old town of Terracina, where the main street is still the Via Appia, the ancient Roman road.

Today you’ll have a relatively short walk, so you have some time to explore the town if you wish. Then you leave the town of Terracina either along the coastal route or slightly more inland. You’ll be walking mostly on the mountain edge, with views on the plain of Fondi with its characteristic lake in the middle. What now is one of the most fertile and productive agricultural areas used to be marshland in medieval times, where buffaloes roamed around (and yes: they still make local buffalo mozzarella!).

You’ll walk through the village of Monte san Biagio and continue to the abbey of San Magno, nestled in the mountain edge just above the city of Fondi (you can also be accommodated directly in Fondi if you prefer).

After breakfast you start today’s walk with a descent into the city of Fondi. You’ll definitely need some time to look around in its Roman town centre and visit the small museum about the Via Francigena. Your walk then continues through the plain, roughly following the traces of the Via Appia. After a busy section, your route will bring you into the mountains again, and here you’ll be following one of the most beautiful stretches of the Via Appia.

The final destination for today is the medieval town of Itri, dominated by its big castle. You’ll settle in a nice B&B in the town centre and have the time to look around in the old town. The area is known for the good quality of its table olives, so try some with your aperitivo.

Today is the last day of this walk, which will bring you from the town of Itri down to the sea. The shortest route will bring you down directly from Itri to Formia, a main hub on the railway line between Naples and Rome, but we recommend you make a detour and visit the town of Gaeta as well. Gaeta is a beautiful medieval town dominated by a grand castle, reached via the nature reserve of Monte Orlando, not only rewarding for its great views over the Mediterranean, but also for its Roman vestiges.

Formia, although it does not look attractive from the outside, has a very interesting centre built on Roman foundations. You’ll have the choice to either stay in Formia or Gaeta for tonight.

After an unforgettable trip on the Appian Way, the tour concludes after breakfast.