DAY 75 - VITERBO to VETRALLA - 4 July 2026

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Our route today led us through the Etruscan roads. These are narrow roads with cliffs up to 12 metres high, cut into the grey tufa. They were first constructed by the Etruscans, over 2000 years ago - nobody seems to be sure why.  

We had a relatively short day today so we made sure to sit at every bench and picnic table. There was a journal at one and we were pleased to that the Brazilians we'd met were still going, two days ahead of us.

In the fields were hazelnuts, rockmelons and butternut pumpkins. There were extensive groves of olives. 'Barbara's Bench' provided another stamp for our credentials, and the journal there recorded six pilgrims today ahead of us. We noticed water channels and these led to a spring, where one of us soaked her feet and the other photographed dragonflies.

We stopped at the church of Santa Maria di Foro Cassia where Sigeric and no doubt many others stayed. We collected another stamp for our credentials. Just past there a pilgrim from Rome caught up to us. We thought he was even lazier than us but it turned out he'd walked a double stage. 

We checked into our accommodation and completed our afternoon tasks - washing, grocery shopping, next day planning,  photograph sorting - before enjoying a dinner with Tuscian specialities.

Leaving Viterbo this morning 
We came across an Etruscan sunken road on the way out of town
We soon joined the Via Francigena 
The Via Francigena south from Viterbo 
The first few kilometres were along these atmospheric sunken roads
Australian long-distance walker photographing something of interest
By the path today: rockmelons, butternut pumpkins, hazelnuts and olives
Some of the seats and picnic tables we used today
Varied scenery on the Via Francigena between Viterbo and Vetralla
Via Francigena towards Vetralla 
Leaving our mark in one of the pilgrim journals that pop up from time to time
Rest area with bench, water fountain and rubbish bin
More interesting sights from today - including a 2000 year old Roman bridge
A refreshing paddle
Interesting to see how this develops - you write your names on the stone provided and add it to the pile. Still pretty small at this stage. 
The Church of Santa Maria di Foro Cassio was closed. We stamped our pilgrim passports and moved on. 
The last stretch into Vetralla
Vetralla
Dragonflies 
More dragonflies 
Birds
Day 75 - Map

Day:                               75
Distance:                      19.95 km
Walking time:               4 hrs 16 mins
Elevation gain:             319 metres
Cumulative distance:  1530.69 km


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