Via delle Abbazie

Ponente Route

From Piedmont it drops to the Ligurian sea, then cuts across Tuscany to Montecassino. Vineyards on the hills, and the cool shade of the Casentino forests.

Stages: 19
Km: ~1,701
Elevation: ~18,820 m
Days: ~24

Download the route GPX (GPX · 1976 KB)Turin Variant (Variante Torinese) (whole variant) (GPX · 126 KB)

GPX 1.1 file with the track, elevation and the abbeys as waypoints. Tracks are calculated on real roads and cycle routes (OpenStreetMap): check them on the ground before you set off.

Alerts on this route

Stage V1 · Sacra di San Michele → Torino: The rock elevator at the Sacra is still announced for spring 2026. As of September 2026 no source confirms it has actually opened to the public. Work on the Monastero Vecchio began in March 2025, with a 400,000 euro investment. Check the status before you climb, the visit stays possible with some local limits. (checked September 2026)
Stage V2 · Torino → Asti: The Po cycle-pedestrian path in Turin between Ponte Isabella and Ponte Balbis stays closed since 3 October 2022. Reopening is confirmed for 3 February 2027. The site had stalled in early 2026 for lack of quarry rock, then resumed on 20 April 2026. Plan a road detour until then. (checked September 2026)
Stage 6 · Tortona → San Colombano: The real share of gravel on this stretch stays uncertain. Sources describe the climb from Varzi as paved. Only a short section descending toward Bobbio runs on trail. Check on the ground before counting on mixed surface. (n.d.)
Stage 7 · San Colombano → Chiavari: The SP586 in Val d'Aveto stays cut on the Emilia-Romagna side since November 2025, near the Boschi dam, after a landslide that had already moved between March and August 2025. By August 2026 the Province estimated six million euros were needed to reopen it, funds not yet allocated. The SS45 in Val Trebbia remains passable with spot checks on stretches under Anas maintenance. Check the current status before you go. (checked September 2026)
Stage 10 · Lucca → Pontassieve: The Levane-Incisa Valdarno stretch of the Arno Cycle Route has been under construction since 18 December 2025, for about 2,320 metres between the motorway and the river. The contractual deadline was the end of June 2026: by September 2026 the stretch may be open or still being tested. Check the current status before you set off, a short stretch on an ordinary road towards Pontassieve may still be needed. (checked September 2026)
Stage 12 · Vallombrosa → Camaldoli: Trail 82 (MTB6) from Rifugio Oia to Terre Rosse stays closed under the municipal order of 26 March 2025, updated by the Park on 19 August 2026. No reopening has been announced. Between Vallombrosa and Camaldoli the practical option runs on the forest road through Passo della Consuma, on the former SS70, then descends on tarmac towards Camaldoli. Check before setting off. (checked September 2026)
Stage 15 · Sant'Antimo → Orvieto: It is not confirmed that Orvieto's funicular accepts bikes. Check with the operator before counting on it, or plan the climb or descent by road instead. (n.d.)

Map

Map of the Ponente Route: track, stages, abbeys and places to stay

Elevation profile

Tracks calculated on real roads and cycle paths (OpenStreetMap); elevations from SRTM data — to be checked on the ground

The stages

Variant stages: Turin Variant (Variante Torinese)

Roadbook

Roadbook — Ponente Route
#	From → To	km	cum. km	D+	Difficulty	Surface	Sleep
1	Mater Ecclesiae → Bose	83	83	780 m	Moderate-Challenging	96% asphalt, 4% gravel · 29% on cycle routes	Foresteria del Monastero di Bose
2	Bose → Vercelli	50	133	50 m	Easy	74% asphalt, 26% gravel · 44% on cycle routes	Albergo Sant'Andrea in Vercelli
3	Vercelli → Staffarda	183	316	260 m	Challenging	82% asphalt, 18% gravel · 52% on cycle routes	Foresteria Abbazia di Staffarda
4	Staffarda → Asti	108	424	520 m	Moderate-Challenging	99% asphalt, 1% gravel · 14% on cycle routes	Hotel Aleramo in Asti
— Turin Variant (Variante Torinese) —
V1	Sacra di San Michele → Torino	38	—	170 m	Easy	100% asphalt, 0% gravel · 42% on cycle routes	B&B and hotels in Turin
V2	Torino → Asti	73	—	270 m	Moderate	98% asphalt, 2% gravel · 48% on cycle routes	Hotels and B&Bs in Turin
— End of variant · Reconnection at Asti —
5	Asti → Tortona	72	496	190 m	Easy-Medium	86% asphalt, 14% gravel · 47% on cycle routes	Hotel in Tortona
6	Tortona → San Colombano	80	576	1,110 m	Moderate-Challenging	97% asphalt, 3% gravel · 43% on cycle routes	Hostel and foresteria in Bobbio
7	San Colombano → Chiavari	109	685	2,370 m	Challenging	90% asphalt, 10% gravel · 7% on cycle routes	Seafront hotel in Chiavari
8	Chiavari → S. Croce del Corvo	114	799	1,220 m	Challenging	100% asphalt, 0% gravel · 54% on cycle routes	Monastero Santa Croce del Corvo
9	S. Croce del Corvo → Lucca	103	902	390 m	Moderate-Challenging	95% asphalt, 5% gravel · 74% on cycle routes	Hotel in Lucca's historic centre
10	Lucca → Pontassieve	102	1004	380 m	Moderate-Challenging	84% asphalt, 16% gravel · 75% on cycle routes	B&B Pontassieve
11	Pontassieve → Vallombrosa	19	1023	970 m	Easy-Medium	92% asphalt, 8% gravel · 0% on cycle routes	Foresteria dell'Abbazia di Vallombrosa
12	Vallombrosa → Camaldoli	52	1075	1,000 m	Moderate	74% asphalt, 26% gravel · 28% on cycle routes	Foresteria del Monastero di Camaldoli
13	Camaldoli → Arezzo	67	1142	340 m	Easy-Medium	81% asphalt, 19% gravel · 54% on cycle routes	Hotel in central Arezzo
14	Arezzo → Sant'Antimo	98	1240	1,280 m	Challenging	38% asphalt, 62% gravel · 45% on cycle routes	Foresteria monastica di Sant'Antimo
15	Sant'Antimo → Orvieto	112	1352	2,170 m	Challenging	70% asphalt, 30% gravel · 71% on cycle routes	Hotel in central Orvieto
16	Orvieto → Farfa	136	1488	2,140 m	Challenging	89% asphalt, 11% gravel · 22% on cycle routes	Casa di accoglienza delle Suore Brigidine — Abbazia di Farfa
17	Farfa → Subiaco	80	1568	1,310 m	Moderate-Challenging	87% asphalt, 13% gravel · 7% on cycle routes	Foresteria di Santa Scolastica
18	Subiaco → Casamari	71	1639	1,190 m	Moderate-Challenging	100% asphalt, 0% gravel · 35% on cycle routes	Foresteria dell'Abbazia di Casamari
19	Casamari → Montecassino	62	1701	1,150 m	Moderate-Challenging	100% asphalt, 0% gravel · 41% on cycle routes	Guesthouse at the Abbey of Montecassino

Where to sleep along the route 16 places listed

Camping Ortacampsite
Orta San Giulio (NO), Via Domodossola 28
Price:

from ~€13/night (2 people, low season)
Open:

year-round (heated shower block)
Facilities:

water, hot showers, laundry, lake-view pitches
Source:

campingorta.it
The historic campsite on Lake Orta (since 1959), a few km from the start at Mater Ecclesiae.
Foresteria del Monastero di Boseguesthouse
Frazione Bose 6, Magnano (BI)
Price:

donation-based
Open:

year-round (bookings by phone only)
Facilities:

rooms, meals with the community, shared prayer
Source:

monasterodibose.it
Monastic hospitality at the ecumenical community of Bose, the natural finish of the first stage.
Ostello Hospitale Sancti Eusebihostel
Vicolo Alciati 4, Vercelli
Price:

donation (~€10)
Open:

year-round, booking required (tel. 334 2386911)
Facilities:

beds, showers, laundry, kitchen use
Source:

amicidellaviafrancigena.vercelli.it
Pilgrim hostel in the old town, where the route crosses the Via Francigena.
Ostello del Pohostel
Località Paracollo 29, Saluzzo (CN)
Price:

n/a
Open:

year-round, booking required (tel. 0175 291225)
Facilities:

25 beds, suited to cyclists and trekkers
Source:

parks.it (Parco del Monviso)
Monviso Park stage lodging on the Po, ~6 km from Staffarda Abbey.
Camping Umberto Cagnicampsite
Strada Valmanera 152, Asti
Price:

n/a
Open:

seasonal (check ahead)
Facilities:

150 grass pitches, hot showers, bar-restaurant, pizzeria
Source:

visit.asti.it
Asti's only campsite, 2 km from the centre, where the Turin variant rejoins the route.
Camping Ponte Gobbocampsite
Via San Martino 4, Bobbio (PC)
Price:

campsite rates, call ahead (0523 936927)
Open:

June–September (tent pitches)
Facilities:

showers, bar, sports grounds, access to the Trebbia river
Source:

campingpontegobbo.com
On the Trebbia, 2 km from the Abbey of San Colombano, below the Ponte Gobbo.
Monastero Santa Croce del Corvoguesthouse
Bocca di Magra, Ameglia (SP)
Price:

n/a (board-style rates)
Open:

year-round, booking required
Facilities:

90 rooms, refectory, seaside grounds
Source:

monasterosantacroce.it (Carmelitani Scalzi)
Carmelite guesthouse at S. Croce del Corvo, stage finish at the mouth of the Magra.
Ostello San Fredianohostel
Via della Cavallerizza 12, Lucca
Price:

discounted pilgrim rates; pilgrim meal €15
Open:

year-round
Facilities:

140 beds, 4–8-bed dorms, restaurant, Wi-Fi, garden
Source:

viefrancigene.com / turismo.lucca.it
A 17th-century former convent right by the city walls, with beds set aside daily for Via Francigena pilgrims.
Foresteria dell'Abbazia di Vallombrosaguesthouse
Vallombrosa, Reggello (FI)
Price:

donation or rate to be agreed with the monks
Open:

year-round, booking required (055 862251)
Facilities:

simple rooms, monastic dining hall, state forest
Source:

monaci.org
Vallombrosan Benedictine hospitality in the monks' old dormitory, stage finish in the Pratomagno.
Foresteria del Monastero di Camaldoliguesthouse
Camaldoli, Poppi (AR)
Price:

half or full board, rate to be agreed with the guesthouse (tel. 0575 556013)
Open:

year-round, except closure periods (check with the guesthouse)
Facilities:

154 beds, single and multi-bed rooms, refectory, bar, library
Source:

camaldoli.it
Large monastic guesthouse in the Casentino Forests, stage finish (tel. 0575 556013).
Foresteria monastica di Sant'Antimoguesthouse
Castelnuovo dell'Abate, Montalcino (SI)
Price:

n/a (contribution)
Open:

booking required (tel. 0577 286300)
Facilities:

10 beds, kitchen use, refectory; no bed linen provided (bring a sleeping bag)
Source:

antimo.it
The abbey's guesthouse in the village of Castelnuovo dell'Abate, stage finish in the Val d'Orcia.
Camping Scacco Mattocampsite
SS448 km 3,7, Lago di Corbara, Baschi (TR)
Price:

n/a
Open:

seasonal (check ahead)
Facilities:

hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant, shaded lakeside pitches
Source:

scaccomatto.net
Small family-run campsite on Lake Corbara, ~6 km east of Orvieto on the way to Todi.
Casa di accoglienza delle Suore Brigidine — Abbazia di Farfaguesthouse
Farfa, Fara in Sabina (RI)
Price:

donation-based / n/a
Open:

booking required
Facilities:

rooms in a wing of the monastery, mixed groups welcome
Source:

abbaziadifarfa.it
Hospitality run by the Bridgettine Sisters in the Benedictine Abbey of Farfa, stage finish in the Sabina.
Foresteria di Santa Scolasticaguesthouse
Monastero di S. Scolastica, Subiaco (RM)
Price:

from ~€37 (B&B) to ~€60 (full board), to be checked
Open:

year-round (tel. 0774 85569)
Facilities:

118 beds in 48 en-suite rooms, restaurant
Source:

foresteria-subiaco.com / camminodibenedetto.it
Large guesthouse of the Benedictine monasteries of Subiaco, a hub on the Cammino di San Benedetto.
Foresteria dell'Abbazia di Casamariguesthouse
Abbazia di Casamari, Veroli (FR)
Price:

from ~€20 room only, to be confirmed when booking
Open:

year-round, booking required (tel. 0775 282371)
Facilities:

renovated rooms; bar, restaurant and pharmacy 200 m away
Source:

abbaziadicasamari.it/index.php/ospitalita · camminodibenedetto.it
Cistercian guesthouse inside the abbey, welcoming pilgrims passing through on the Cammino di San Benedetto.
Camping Avigliana Lacscampsite
Via Giaveno 23/a, Avigliana (TO)
Price:

~€25 pitch with electricity
Open:

year-round
Facilities:

hot showers, laundry, shop, restaurant-pizzeria, Wi-Fi
Source:

pitchup.com / camperonline.it
On Avigliana's Lago Piccolo, at the foot of the Sacra di San Michele (Turin variant).

The snow-covered Sacra di San Michele above the Susa Valley — The Sacra di San Michele above the Susa ValleyPhoto: Elio Pallard · CC BY-SA 4.0

Rolling hills and gravel roads of the Val d'Orcia in autumn — Rolling hills and white roads of the Val d'OrciaPhoto: Fabrizio Lunardi · CC0

Abbeys on this route

Abbazia di Mater Ecclesiae — On the Island of San Giulio, in Lake Orta. Benedictine monastery of enclosure.
Monastero di Bose — Ecumenical community founded in 1965 by Enzo Bianchi.
Sacra di San Michele — Monument and symbol of Piedmont. Millennial abbey in Susa Valley.
Abbazia di Staffarda — Cistercian from the XII century at the foot of Monviso.
Abbazia di San Colombano — Founded in 614 at Bobbio, cultural center of the Middle Ages.
Eremo di S. Croce del Corvo — Where Dante would have found refuge.
Abbazia di Vallombrosa — Founded in 1036 in the Pratomagno forests.
Eremo di Camaldoli — Founded in 1012 by Saint Romuald.
Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore — Benedictine monastery of 1313 in the Crete Senesi. Frescoes by Signorelli and Sodoma.
Abbazia di Sant'Antimo — Romanesque jewel in the Val d'Orcia.
Abbazia di Farfa — One of the most powerful imperial abbeys of the Middle Ages.
Monastero S. Benedetto (Subiaco) — Holy Grotto where Saint Benedict lived as a hermit.
Abbazia di Casamari — Cistercian masterpiece of 1203 in the Liri Valley.
Abbazia di Montecassino — Founded in 529 by Saint Benedict. Final destination.

Important notes

Via delle Abbazie is an amateur, non-profit project. It was born to share the land and the hidden beauty of this country, to be crossed slowly by bike. It offers information and no tourist services: no packages, guides, escorts, luggage transfers or support along the way. The tracks are still being checked and carry no waymarks; distances, climbing, opening times and availability are indicative and may change.

Everyone rides entirely at their own risk. Assess your fitness and the condition of your bike, check the weather and traffic, and follow the Italian Highway Code and the rules of the places you pass through. Abbeys and hermitages are places of prayer and home to the communities who live there. Enter quietly, follow their rhythms and silences, respect private property and nature, and leave every place as you found it. Wild camping is regulated by Italy's regions and is often banned in national and regional parks, such as Foreste Casentinesi, Monti Sibillini, Monti Simbruini, Gran Sasso and Majella. For the night, choose campsites and proper places to stay.

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