English 
Français 
Italiano 
Español 
Português 
Deutsch 
Via di Francesco - St Francis' Way - Roman Way from La Verna to Roma
Stage 12 - from Rieti to Ponticelli
This hard and trying leg of the route goes from Rieti to Ponticelli and is the first stretch entirely within Lazio.
The twelfth leg of the Roman Way is the first one entirely within the boundaries of Lazio and although it is a strenuous one, it is also a very beautiful one that goes from the medieval town of Rieti to Ponticelli di ScandrigliaFrom
Rieti
To
Ponticelli
Distance
45 Km
Height differences
1400 meters
Surface
tarmac - dirt road
Road Sign
No
Recommended Bike
hyrid, gravel, ebike
Water sources
yes (Rieti, Ornaro Basso, Torricella in Sabina, Poggio San Lorenzo, Monteleone Sabino, Poggio Moiano)
Degree of difficulty
challenging
This leg is the first one wholly within Lazio and this means you are nearing Rome, headed south all the way to the town of Ponticelli di Scandriglia.
The route goes through lovely stretches of nature touching on the towns around Rieti. The many ascents and descents make it very difficult and very tiring: the cumulative ascent is some 1,400 metres and the length of the route is 45 kilometres.
From the historical centre of Rieti head towards the Terme di Fonte Cottorella and then towards the Via Salaria, where, when you can, you should ride over the dirt paths alongside the road to avoid traffic until you get to San Giovanni Reatino.
The itinerary stays very close to the route followed on foot by pilgrims and touches on Ornaro Basso and then goes up to the small town of Colonnetta, where the first real ascent begins.
From here you ride along the old Via del Sale, or Salt Road, passing Torricella in Sabina and Poggio San Lorenzo along the way before heading down to the old Vecchia Salaria road and then up again towards Monteleone Sabino, which you reach after some 30 km of travelling. Considering how strenuous it is, if you feel you’d rather not continue (for any number of reasons) you might stop here for the night and recover your strength to face the last climbs the following day.
Once past Monteleone Sabino the landscape undergoes a real change as the woods draped over the mountains give way to extensive fields of olive groves and vineyards. Continue towards Poggio Moiano, which marks the start of the final climb before you get to Ponticelli di Scandriglia and conclude the day near Orsini Castle.
The route goes through lovely stretches of nature touching on the towns around Rieti. The many ascents and descents make it very difficult and very tiring: the cumulative ascent is some 1,400 metres and the length of the route is 45 kilometres.
From the historical centre of Rieti head towards the Terme di Fonte Cottorella and then towards the Via Salaria, where, when you can, you should ride over the dirt paths alongside the road to avoid traffic until you get to San Giovanni Reatino.
The itinerary stays very close to the route followed on foot by pilgrims and touches on Ornaro Basso and then goes up to the small town of Colonnetta, where the first real ascent begins.
From here you ride along the old Via del Sale, or Salt Road, passing Torricella in Sabina and Poggio San Lorenzo along the way before heading down to the old Vecchia Salaria road and then up again towards Monteleone Sabino, which you reach after some 30 km of travelling. Considering how strenuous it is, if you feel you’d rather not continue (for any number of reasons) you might stop here for the night and recover your strength to face the last climbs the following day.
Once past Monteleone Sabino the landscape undergoes a real change as the woods draped over the mountains give way to extensive fields of olive groves and vineyards. Continue towards Poggio Moiano, which marks the start of the final climb before you get to Ponticelli di Scandriglia and conclude the day near Orsini Castle.
What you should know before departure
Sources
Water fountains can be found in the towns you will come across along the route, so a San Giovanni Reatino, Ornaro Basso, Torricella in Sabina, Poggio San Lorenzo, Monteleone Sabino and Poggio Moiano. The itinerary is challenging and therefore we advise you to travel with two water bottles or a water reservoir. sacca idrica.
Water fountains can be found in the towns you will come across along the route, so a San Giovanni Reatino, Ornaro Basso, Torricella in Sabina, Poggio San Lorenzo, Monteleone Sabino and Poggio Moiano. The itinerary is challenging and therefore we advise you to travel with two water bottles or a water reservoir. sacca idrica.
Intermediate stages
This leg is one of the hardest of all of the Roman Way route, both for its length and for the cumulative ascent. If you think it might be a bit much for you, or if you tire during the day, then consider stopping over in either Poggio San Lorenzo or Monteleone Sabino, both lovely towns and ideal spots for recovering from the effort.
This leg is one of the hardest of all of the Roman Way route, both for its length and for the cumulative ascent. If you think it might be a bit much for you, or if you tire during the day, then consider stopping over in either Poggio San Lorenzo or Monteleone Sabino, both lovely towns and ideal spots for recovering from the effort.
Suggestions
It’s a lovely route that goes through plenty of charming villages, but it is also quite a hard ride, with a total ascent of some 1,400 metres. So pace yourself well and go more slowly than usual to save strength to face the last climb of the day, the hardest one of them all. Don't forget to take a small food supply with you (fruit, dried fruit, chocolate, energy bars, mineral salts if it's very hot).
It’s a lovely route that goes through plenty of charming villages, but it is also quite a hard ride, with a total ascent of some 1,400 metres. So pace yourself well and go more slowly than usual to save strength to face the last climb of the day, the hardest one of them all. Don't forget to take a small food supply with you (fruit, dried fruit, chocolate, energy bars, mineral salts if it's very hot).
Information (e.g. how to get there using public transport)
Public Information and Tourist Office Rieti
Address: Via Cintia, 87 - 02100 Rieti
Phone: +39 0746 264106 – 8 – 0
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Public Information and Tourist Office Rieti
Address: Via Cintia, 87 - 02100 Rieti
Phone: +39 0746 264106 – 8 – 0
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Roman Way - Cycling stages
