Walk of the Sabine Villages
Nature itinerary
Starting point
Poggio Mirteto
Type of route
Walking route
Difficult
Medium
Length
106,2 km
Duaration
6 days
Itinerary by:
The Cammino dei Borghi Sabini invites you to discover the authentic beauty of the Sabina tiberina and the province of Rieti. This 6-day loop trail, accessible from several train stations along the Fiumicino-Orte line, winds through ancient pre-Roman routes and offers itineraries suitable for different levels of experience.
Along the way, you will pass through medieval villages, ancient archaeological ruins and enchanting natural landscapes. Each step is an opportunity to immerse yourself in local traditions, discover authentic flavors and meet the warm hospitality of the locals.
The walk is intertwined with other highly relevant routes, such as the Way of Francis and the emerging Path to a New Humanism, enriching the experience with a broader connection to the history and spirituality of these lands.
The Sabina, with its unique character and biodiversity, becomes the heart of slow and sustainable tourism, inviting you to experience an authentic adventure that celebrates the link between culture, nature and community.
The itinerary crosses and networks the following municipalities in the Province of Rieti: Cantalupo in Sabina, Casperia, Castelnuovo di Farfa, Fara in Sabina, Collevecchio, Configni, Cottanello, Mompeo, Montasola, Monte San Giovanni in Sabina, Montebuono, Montenero Sabino, Montopoli di Sabina, Poggio Catino, Poggio Mirteto, Roccantica, Selci, Salisano, Tarano, Torri in Sabina and Vacone.
📱 Explore the points of interest on the route!
In the Geosabina app , you can use the "Around You " feature for information about the villages, stops, and natural places along the route
Itinerary
Poggio Mirteto – Farfa Abbey – Castelnuovo di Farfa
Difficulty: Medium | Distance 15.5 km | Duration 4.5h | Ascent 591m | Descent 489m
This stage takes you through evocative landscapes, among verdant hills, historic villages and places of great spirituality.
Departing from Poggio Mirteto, a medieval village perched on a hill with 14th-century walls and paved streets, the journey continues to Bocchignano, a quiet hamlet of stone houses surrounded by rural beauty. From here, you will reach the Farfa Gorge Natural Monument, an enchanting place where the river has carved deep gorges, ideal for a regenerating break.
Along the way you will encounter the Church of San Donato, with valuable frescoes, and the Church of Santa Brigida, fascinating for its simple architecture and frescoes dedicated to the saint from the 14th century.
The stretch culminates at theAbbey of Farfa , a Romanesque masterpiece founded in the 6th century, rich in cloisters and frescoes that tell a thousand-year history. This sacred place offers an experience of peace and introspection.
The stop ends at Castelnuovo di Farfa, an authentic medieval village with picturesque views, the Palazzo Salustri Galli and its Italianate gardens. Here you can relax, enjoy the local cuisine and admire breathtaking views of the Sabine hills.
Castelnuovo di Farfa – Mompeo – Montenero Sabino
Difficulty: Medium | Distance 11 km | Duration 3.45h | Ascent 537m | Descent 438m
This stage combines natural landscapes, history and local traditions, offering an authentic experience in the heart of Sabina.
From Castelnuovo di Farfa, famous for its Oil Museum and tastings of typical products, the route leads to the Farfa Gorge Natural Monument. Crossing a medieval bridge without parapets, the path winds through forests of holm oaks and willows, accompanied by the sound of the natural waterfalls of the Farfa River.
At Mompeo, an authentic village dominated by the Orsini Castle, you will immerse yourself in the olive-growing tradition among centuries-old olive trees and historical testimonies such as the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Baronial Palace.
The final stretch leads to Montenero Sabino, with its imposing Orsini Castle and traces of the cult of the Goddess Vacuna, evidenced by archaeological finds and excavations. Here you can relax among verdant hills and enjoy local flavors in typical restaurants, ending the stage with a rejuvenating break.
Montenero Sabino – Osteria Tancia – Roccantica
Difficulty: Medium | Distance 18.3 km | Duration 6.25h | Ascent 763m | Descent 810m
This stage offers breathtaking views and a wealth of historic places surrounded by nature.
From Montenero Sabino, with its imposing Castle and the Church of San Cataldo with ancient frescoes, the path winds its way through verdant hills and striking landscapes. The climb to Osteria Tancia, the highest point of the route, offers spectacular views of the Terminillo, Cervia and Navegna mountains, ideal for a regenerating break.
Descending, one crosses the striking Grotto of St. Michael Archangel, an ancient place of worship adorned with frescoes and breathtaking natural formations. Continuing on, you reach theHermitage of San Leonardo, set in the rock and surrounded by lush nature that invites meditation.
The stage ends in Roccantica, a fairy-tale village with narrow stone streets, the Church of Santa Caterina and the Civic Tower, perfect for resting and savoring typical Sabine cuisine.
Roccantica – Casperia – Montasola – Vacone
Difficulty: Medium | Distance 17.3 km | Duration 5.20h | Ascent 523m | Descent 541m
This stage passes through medieval villages and breathtaking hilly landscapes, combining history, nature and local culture.
From Roccantica, with its narrow stone streets, the Church of Santa Caterina and the Rocca, the route winds through verdant hills to Casperia, a medieval village characterized by ancient walls, charming alleys and the majestic Palazzo Forani.
The path continues to Montasola, the highest point of the stage, with spectacular panoramic views and monuments such as the Church of San Michele Arcangelo. Finally, you reach Vacone, where you can relax while admiring the landscape and enjoy traditional Sabine cuisine.
Vacone – Rocchette – Montebuono – Tarano – Collevecchio
Difficulty: Medium | Distance 21.9 km | Duration 6.55h | Ascent 687m | Descent 823m
This stage combines nature and history by crossing ancient villages, lush forests and hilly landscapes.
From Vacone, a village of Roman origins linked to the cult of the Goddess Vacuna, the route winds through Il Pago, among hills and forests of oak and chestnut trees, to the Hermitage of San Sebastiano, a place of peace and reflection surrounded by nature.
Continuing on, we meet Rocchette and Rocchettine, medieval villages with walls, towers and the impressive Rocca Guidonesca. Just beyond, the Hague River adds a touch of serenity to the landscape.
The path continues to Montebuono, famous for the bas-relief dedicated to the goddess Vacuna, and crosses countryside and olive groves to Collevecchio, a cozy hillside village, ideal for resting and savoring typical Sabine cuisine.
Collevecchio – Selci – Poggio Mirteto
Difficulty: Medium | Distance 19.9 km | Duration 5.40h | Ascent 515m | Descent 490m
This final stage of the Cammino dei Borghi Sabini interweaves history, nature and spirituality, giving panoramic views and picturesque villages.
The walk starts from Collevecchio, a hillside village with cobbled streets, dominated by the Church of St. Michael the Archangel and the Town Hall. Leaving the village, the route winds through verdant hills and countryside, passing the small shrine of Our Lady of the Walnut, a place of peace along The Way of Francis.
Continuing on, you reach the Sanctuary of Vescovio, a Romanesque jewel surrounded by the archaeological site of Forum Novum, which preserves remains of ancient Roman buildings and roads.
The path then leads to Selci, a lively village known for its murals that turn the town into an open-air museum.
Finally, the itinerary ends in Poggio Mirteto, a historic village surrounded by olive groves, where you can relax and enjoy the local cuisine, crowning an extraordinary journey into the heart of Sabina.