Day 6 - Fara Sabina (Helen Grove-White) 
Route summary
£695.00 (2012)
7 nights
7 B&B, 4 evening meals, 2 picnics
Luggage transfers between hotels
Medium
3½ - 6 hours per day
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Sabine Hills (Italy)
A walking tour of the Sabine Hills
Route map
Itinerary
Day 1

Arrive in Contigliano, a place of pilgrimage for the neighbouring Franciscan convents. It is a historic village with medieval stone buildings, narrow cobbled streets, all dominated by the 18th-century church of S. Michele Arcangelo. Inside this church is a beautiful set of late-Baroque frescoes, a monumental organ, and various paintings of the Neapolitan school from the 1600-1700s. Open Saturdays and Sunday mornings, on other days the opening hours are at the whim of the priest. A table has been booked for you at the excellent village restaurant, just opposite the church, for 20:00, unless otherwise arranged beforehand with Roberto and Viviana at Locanda Bellarmino. Late arrivals will not go hungry either ...

Day 2 Contigliano to Cottanello. A dramatic start to your walking, straight up the steep sided Capoconate valley on narrow woodland paths to the peaceful meadows around the spring at Fonte Lallo - then a gentle descent through high meadows to a final switchback through the woodland direct to Cottanello, and your second night’s stay. (11 km 3½ hrs walking, CUSs 550 m, but lift available to top of hill!)
Day 3

Cottanello to Casperia. Two differently graded options today, but both starting with a walk to the hilltop village of Cottanello itself to buy lunch (Sundays closed - arrange a picnic beforehand with Francesca). Now walk down one of the oldest roads from the town to its ancient bridge; then (Medium option) a minor assault on the hills again or (Easy option for the less walked-in) a pleasant country road walk through attractive woodland.  Both options allow for lunch in pretty Montasola and end at Casperia, the best of the hilltop towns, and a stylish Palazzetta. (18 km, 7¼ hrs  walking, CUSs 720m. Alternatives: medium option 16 km, 6 hrs, CUSs 500m. Easy option involving some quiet asphalt stretches – 11 km, 5 hrs,  CUSs 250m)

Option

Free day in Casperia (optional). Your host Maureen suggests: “short local walks around the old mule paths, to the next village for lunch, or just along the valley below.  An oil tasting with an expert at the Geko wine bar. We have cooking lessons for min 4 people - three hours hands on followed by Italian 4 course meal with wines. The cost is €70 per person (payable locally). Guests not participating in the cooking break can join providing there is availability, as we have a maximum of 6 to 8 people (please book in advance through On Foot). Book a shiatsu massage with my daughter Jennifer. For churchgoers there are 2 lovely Renaissance churches for mass; otherwise just relax and enjoy the village with a glass of wine while watching the sunset in the Piazza Umberto 1.”

Day 4 Casperia to Misciani. A ride with Roberto from Casperia to the fine fortified village of Roccantica, which is definitely worth an explore and a coffee stop; then start walking - a gentle climb up the Valle de Galantina to a waterfall; then the high pastures around Osteria Faducchi. The day ends with an adventurous walk down cow tracks to your next overnight stop (13. km, 4 ½  hrs walking, CUSs 510m).
Day 5 Misciani to Mompeo. A tough but short climb out of the village back to yesterday’s saddle (lift available if required), and on to a splendid view of the end of the route (and, in the right weather conditions, Rome). Hard or easier options follow to take you down to the valley leading to the twin hilltop villages of Salisano and Mompeo, behind which lies your next goal, your route advisor Stefano and Elisabeth’s beautifully positioned organic farm. (12 km, 5 hrs walking, CUSs 580m, but lift available to cut out steepest section).
Option Free day in Mompeo (optional). A chance to explore the delightful gorge, maybe have a swim and a picnic by a secluded pool, and/or a guided tour of the gorge and the Roman Villa, over which our Route Advisor has his house.  Try some olive oil from ancient trees and watch the sunset from the olive groves. Stefano and Elisabeth will advise and arrange tours/visits as required (local supplement).
Day 6 Mompeo to Farfa. A day of (potentially at least) two abbeys. Down to the gorge for a quick paddle before your final day’s walking. Your chance to see Castelnuovo di Farfa, its quirky olive museum and old streets, before a final descent to the Abbey of Farfa. Enjoy a guided tour of the Abbey (local supplement) – organise the night before to take advantage of Stefano's translating skills. Hardy walkers can bag the final hill of San Martino to see the ruins of Farfa’s would-be sister abbey on the top, and, who knows, a view of St Peter’s dome in the distance? Lift back to Mompeo for the night. (Easy version 9 km, 2 hrs 40 mins walking, CUSs 340m, medium version with final ascent/descent of San Martino 15 Km, 4 hrs 45 mins, CUSs 550m ) 
Day 7 Rome. Catch the train to Rome for your final night. Stay in Roberta’s wonderfully central B&B, close to the Campo di Fiori and Vatican City.
Day 8 Leave for home – or spend a few more days in this fascinating city.