Today was the most dangerous of all my days walking as we had to walk along very busy roads. The guide book said that there was unfortunately no alternative however we met a couple of Italian guys at the hostel at the end of the day who assured us there were other safer, if longer routes.

But back to the start of the day . I had a very nice breakfast and bid Claudio and Sarah farewell.

 I paid a brief visit to the crypt of the cathedral which dates from Longobard times and headed off by myself.

 I passed more of the trees I saw yesterday and was able to ask someone what they were – hazel nuts not pears !

I also saw olive trees with irrigation which I hadn’t seen before.

 About this time I caught up with my two friends from the B&B in Viterbo and we walked together for the rest of the day. This included following the route of the busy Via Cassia. At first it seemed like there would be a safe little track.

 But this soon disappeared . The pictures tell the story .

   After successfully negotiating this dangerous stretch of many kilometers we finally reached a safe country road through the beautiful nature reserve of the Parco Di Veio

 After a long day of over 30km we arrived at a beautiful newly built youth hostel at Fornello. It’s on the third floor of an ancient palace and the suburbs of Rome are visible in the far distance  !

https://www.hihostels.com/hostels/formello-maripara-yh-rome-hinterland/prices


 Five of us staying here all went to a nearby restaurant for the €12 pilgrim’s menu – delicious!