🥾 Tuscia 103 Trail and the Brigands’ Path: Long Life to Slow Steps

Two authentic trails for serious hikers, between history, nature, and identity

Tuscia is not a place you simply visit—it’s a land you earn, step by step. Far from the rush of quick tourism, two long-distance trails emerge as some of the most captivating in central Italy: the Tuscia 103 Trail and the Brigands’ Path.

These are not casual walks: they are multi-day journeys, designed for those who seek a deep, physical and emotional immersion in a territory rich with beauty, memory, and stories.

🗺️ The Tuscia 103 Trail: Deep Heart of the Viterbo Province

The Tuscia 103 Trail is a circular itinerary spanning over 100 km, crossing through some of the most authentic villages in northern Lazio. Perfect for 5–7 days of travel, it offers a total experience blending biodiversity, Etruscan heritage, and spiritual paths.

📍 Suggested Route (Standard 6-Day Version)

1. Viterbo – Soriano nel Cimino19 km – 6 h – ModerateFrom the medieval San Pellegrino district to the chestnut forests of the Cimini Mountains. First stop: Orsini Castle.

2. Soriano – Vignanello16 km – 5.5 h – EasyInto the heart of noble Tuscia, with Renaissance gardens and Farnese heritage.

3. Vignanello – Orte (via Vasanello)22 km – 7 h – ChallengingWalking through Etruscan roads and ancient farmland to the underground wonders of Orte.

4. Orte – Gallese – Corchiano18 km – 6 h – ModerateSpiritual paths and gorges of volcanic rock, with traces of old railways.

5. Corchiano – Civita Castellana14 km – 4.5 h – EasyFrom rock-cut altars and Roman bridges to the magnificent Cosmati cathedral.

6. Civita Castellana – Viterbo (via Castel d’Asso)20 km – 6 h – ModerateFinal return through one of the most beautiful Etruscan necropolises in Lazio.

🛏️ Accommodation: local agritourisms, B&Bs, rural guesthouses.📚 Tip: download the GPX map and request a credential booklet for trail stamps.

🧭 The Brigands’ Path: Tales from the Wild Borderlands

This rugged trail follows the tracks of 19th-century outlaws who crossed Lazio, Tuscany, and Umbria. A roughly 100 km route over 6 stages, it’s wilder and more isolated than the Tuscia 103. Here, nature reigns: ancient forests, volcanic plateaus, and vast silence.

🔥 Key Stages

1. Proceno – Acquapendente

2. Acquapendente – Torre Alfina – Onano

3. Onano – Lake Mezzano

4. Lake Mezzano – Farnese – Castro

5. Castro – Vulci Archaeological Park

6. Vulci – Montalto Marina (optional extension to the Tyrrhenian Sea)

🌳 Ideal for those seeking a wilder, introspective experience.📕 Well-marked trail, but a printed guide and sturdy boots are highly recommended.

💬 Why Choose These Trails?

• Depth: this is not tourism—it’s a journey inward.

• Local Economy: each stop is an opportunity to support small businesses and local farms.

• Cultural Identity: these paths tell the true story of authentic, rooted Tuscia.

🥾 Route Stages Overview (Translated)

Stage	Departure	Arrival	Distance (km)	Duration (hrs)	Difficulty
1st	Orte	Vasanello	10.3	2:45 / 3:00	Easy / E
2nd	Vasanello	Soriano nel Cimino	14.6	3:45 / 3:30	Moderate / E
3rd	Soriano nel Cimino	S. Martino al Cimino	20.9	5:15 / 6:00	Expert / E
4th	S. Martino al Cimino	La Botte (Vetralla)	14.4	4:30	Moderate / E
5th	La Botte (Vetralla)	Barbarano Romano	10.6 / 9.9	3:00 / 2:55	Moderate / E
6th	Barbarano Romano	Civitella Cesi	8.2 / 7.4	2:30 / 2:05	Moderate / E
7th	Civitella Cesi	Monte Romano	19.8 / 18.8	5:30 / 5:10	Expert / Moderate / E
8th	Monte Romano	Tarquinia	20.4 / 19.5	5:15 / 6:00	Expert / Moderate / E

🧭 Notes on Difficulty Ratings

"E" stands for Escursionistico (Hiking): this classification refers to well-marked trails that do not require technical equipment or advanced skills, but do assume a basic level of fitness and familiarity with hilly or mountainous terrain.The terms Easy, Moderate, and Expert are commonly used to indicate increasing levels of difficulty.

🥾 The Tuscia 103 Trail: An Immersion into the Soul of Tuscia

This trail offers an immersive experience through the richness of Tuscia, crossing picturesque villages, untouched natural landscapes, and important archaeological sites.

For a complete planning guide—including details on gear, lodging, and safety advice—it is strongly recommended to consult the official website of the Cammino Tuscia 103 and download the GPS tracks.

⚔️ The Brigands’ Path: In the Footsteps of History

An adventure of 108 kilometers, divided into 7 stages, retracing the steps of 19th-century brigands between medieval villages and wild landscapes, straddling the border between Abruzzo and Lazio.The path develops along mid-altitude ridges (between 800 and 1300 meters) and is renowned for being less “domesticated” than other popular trails like the Via Francigena. It demands greater attention, and the use of an official guidebook and map is strongly advised.

Although the full route stretches beyond the Tuscia region, several stages and significant sections lie entirely within it.

🗺️ Stage Overview – Brigands’ Path

Section	Departure	Arrival	Distance (km)	Duration (hours)	Difficulty	Key Points of Interest
Stage 1	Trevinano	Acquapendente	10.5 (CAI section 101)	2:30 / 4:30	E	Monaldesca farmstead, protected natural areas
Stage 2	Acquapendente	Onano (via Proceno)	N/A	N/A	E	Historical villages
Stage 3	Onano	Grotte di Castro	N/A	N/A	E	Etruscan tombs
Stage 4	Grotte di Castro	Latera (via Gradoli and Lake Bolsena)	N/A	N/A	E	Lake Bolsena
Stage 5	Latera	Valentano (via Lake Mezzano)	N/A	N/A	E	Lake Mezzano
Monte Rufeno Area	N/A	N/A	17.3	3:00	T	Ancient Perugina road, beekeeping site, charcoal village, Felceto farmhouse

🌄 Nature and History on the Path

The trail touches sites rich in history and nature, including Torre Alfina, Grotte di Castro with its Etruscan tombs, Lake Mezzano, and Sant’Egidio di Cellere.In the Monte Rufeno area, hikers can explore the ancient Strada Perugina, wildflower meadows, the Gambero stream, a research apiary, the Charcoal Makers’ Village, and Casale Felceto, home to the Museum of Peasant Traditions.