Hike Day 14: ISOLA FARNESE – ROMA

Today we arrived to Vatican City. We started in Riserva Naturale di Monte Mario, which gave us an amazing view of where we are headed. A short walk of 3.5mi gets us to Piazza Pio XII. 

Arriving in Vatican City. Lots of people everywhere 

Crowds

Mary & I

Elena & I

Lunch was at a cafeteria that Virginio knows. 

Amatriciana 

Carbonara 

And we made it! 

Our hotel

My feet, these shoes stay here. They are done

From the guides: We leave nature behind and head forward to our final destination, crossing the vast city of Rome along the Via Trionfale (Road of Triumph). From the viewpoint on the hill of Monte Mario we admire the magnificence of the capital and spot the great Cupola (dome) of San Pietro. The goal is near, so let's walk to the final celebration of our adventure!

HOTEL MUSEUM

Hike Day 13: CAMPAGNANO - ISOLA FARNESE

Ooooh weee! Nearly 14 miles today with 1377ft elevation gain.

From the guides: The Campagna Laziale (Latium countryside) offers a beautiful landscape before entering the Veio natural park. The long panoramic way to Isola Farnese is interrupted by the village of Formello. The well-preserved historical centre gives the opportunity for a nice break before crossing the hills where once stood the ancient town of Veio, strong and powerful rival of Rome till the 4th centuryBC. En route, well-hidden to most of the travelers, you will have the opportunity to see incredible works of hydraulic engineering dating back to the 6th century BC.

Hike Day 12: MONTEROSI – CAMPAGNANO

Day 12!

Today was a mentally challenging day. We knew it was going to be a hot day and we would be hitting the trail a bit later in the day. 

Start of day

We started our day touring an Etruscan archeological site: the  Parco archeologico dell’ antichissima città di Sutri. It was so cool! 

Amphitheater was perfectly round 

We went into Mitreo which had frescoes inside. It is a protected space, so only 9 people could go in at a time. We were only in for a moment when a fellow hiker fell in and had to be taken to the hospital.

Hiking portion

It was flat for the first part but we started midday when the sun was hot.

From the guides: Farmlands and fields take us to the waterfall of Monte Gelato, where we can rest our feet in the cold water. After entering the Parco di Veio, a panoramic unpaved road leads us directly into Campagnano, where we spend 2 nights. Our hotel is a famous historical building: since the 15th century it has been one of the best-known postal relays and inns along the Via Cassia. It has accommodated illustrious travellers such as the German writer Goethe and the Italians Alfieri and Belli.


This is the ascent into the town where we ended for the day.

Heading into the town center

Passing by some napping cats

Our lodging 

HOTEL IL POSTIGLIONE

Our hike