The Road to Rome – A Journey of Heart, Feet, and Friendship
- Carolyn
- Camino, eat local, friendships, Italy, KHS friends, pilgrimage, road to rome, walk local, walking
At the beginning of June, nineteen remarkable people placed their trust in me—and in Walk Local—to guide them on a journey of nearly 500 kilometres, from Lucca to Rome, on foot. Just me, one person, leading a group of people across central Italy, averaging 20km a day. And what a journey it has been.
These incredible walkers came with open hearts, curious minds, and a willingness to embrace every step, hill, view, village, sore muscle, blister and unexpected joy. Many weren’t seasoned walkers when they signed up. But with our training plan, they committed to preparing week by week—gaining not just physical strength, but confidence, resilience, and that quiet determination that only builds with effort and time.
In today’s world—where we’re often too busy, distracted, or pulled in too many directions—the decision to slow down and walk across a country is nothing short of extraordinary. When you consider the age range of our group, the life demands, the health challenges, the endless travel options available… choosing to walk Italy is bold. It takes courage. And a spark of inner adventure—something that often dims with age, but which each one of these walkers has shown burns brightly still.
The Heartbeat of the Group
Eleven of our group share roots in our school days—most have been friends for over 50 years. Four are my closest friends from primary school—so many years of shared life, laughter, and memories. To walk alongside these lifelong friends on a journey like this was incredibly special and deeply meaningful.
We were also joined by two beautiful couples from Sydney, along with their friends from New Zealand, who brought humour, warmth, and such a joyful energy to our group. Their presence was a true gift. And rounding out the group were three solo walkers from Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney—each connected to Walk Local through word of mouth, and each bringing their own strength, spirit, and sparkle to the experience. In Siena, we bid a heartfelt farewell to our wonderful friends and joyfully welcomed four new walkers from Canada into our group.
The Path We Walked
Our journey began in the walled city of Lucca, where we met as strangers and set our intention together with a pilgrims’ blessing. The early days took us along shaded aqueduct paths, through forested ridgelines and charming rural villages, leading to our first home at a peaceful agriturismo—with a pool, olive groves, and warm hospitality. We tackled the ups and downs of Tuscany’s landscape with grit, winding through chestnut groves, canals, and the Oasi Forestale, and shared our first of many long, relaxed lunches with local wine and laughter.
We climbed into the historic hill town of San Miniato, the first of many steep ascents that tested our legs and rewarded us with breathtaking views and lively piazzas and lots of truffles. As we walked deeper into Chianti country, the trail opened into vineyards and rolling hills, dotted with farmhouses and medieval towers. In San Gimignano, we had time to wander narrow lanes, sip Vernaccia, and savour the timeless beauty of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Each day brought new contrasts—dense oak forests, wide open wheat fields, riverside trails, and hidden hamlets. We swam in the Elsa River, climbed into the fortress town of Monteriggioni, and followed cypress-lined paths to Siena, where we stood in awe at the Duomo and celebrated a milestone: over 160km walked.
Leaving Siena, the terrain softened and opened up—golden fields, winding gravel roads, and the sun-soaked vineyards of the Val d’Orcia. We stayed at a monastery run by Benedictine monks, soaked our tired feet in the hot springs of Bagno Vignoni, and shared meals under the stars at rustic trattorias. Every stop, every bite, every view reminded us how walking brings us deeper into the soul of a place.
From San Quirico d’Orcia to Radicofani, the terrain turned more dramatic—long, hot climbs, fortresses perched on hills, and ancient pilgrim paths etched into the landscape. We crossed from Tuscany into Lazio, the scenery shifting to rocky outcrops, wild fields, and sparse, rugged farmland. In Proceno, we slept in a 17th-century castle, toasted the sunset in a quiet garden, and felt like characters from another time.
The lakeside town of Bolsena gave us a well-earned rest—an oasis of gelato, lake swims, and quiet reflection. We followed the shores of Lake Bolsena to Montefiascone, winding through olive groves and discovering the local wine legend of Est! Est!! Est!!!. Our days grew warmer, but so did our strength and camaraderie. We picnicked under hazelnut trees, cooled off in waterfalls, and floated lazily in the thermal pools of Viterbo.
As we drew closer to Rome, the trail led us through Etruscan cave roads, ancient villages like Sutri with its Roman amphitheatre carved into rock, and scenic rural paths flanked by hay bales, kiwifruit vines, cornfields, and towering oaks. One day brought us the steepest incline of the whole walk—and perhaps the most satisfying Spritz at the top.
Even as the kilometres accumulated, the group remained strong. We shared stories, pushed through heat and fatigue, and found joy in simple things: the perfect coffee stop, a shaded bench, a shared joke, a homemade feast from the nuns of La Storta.
And finally—after nearly 500 kilometres, 24 days, and countless memories—we arrived on foot into St. Peter’s Square. Tired but triumphant, emotional but grounded, each of us stood there knowing we had done something extraordinary: not just walked across Italy, but walked into ourselves.
Gratitude Beyond Words
To each of you who walked with me—thank you. From the bottom of my heart.
Thank you for trusting me, for showing up each day with courage, humour, and grit. For lifting each other up. For sharing stories, steps, and spritzes. For choosing this path—both the literal one and the one within.
It has been one of the greatest honours of my life to lead you.
You proved that with preparation, community, and a positive mindset, so much more is possible than we often allow ourselves to believe.
This walk is not just about the kilometres. It’s about choosing presence over speed. Depth over convenience. And real connection over surface experience.
May This Journey Stay With You
I hope this pilgrimage stays in your hearts forever—as it will in mine. Whether you joined as a long-time friend, a new connection, or someone brave enough to say yes to an adventure, you are now part of something special: a community of walkers, dreamers, and doers who chose to walk local, eat local, sleep local, and see the real Italy.
Buon cammino, my friends.
With love and deep gratitude,
Carolyn
Reviews
‘This is a walk of a lifetime; challenging and satisfying. Carolyn will lead you through the Italian landscape to reach your destination in Rome. You see an Italy you would never see otherwise. Carolyn has the skills and knowledge to ensure you have a fantastic journey. Her passion and love for Italy and its people shines through. You are in safe hands with Walk Local. Highly recommend”.
“Incredible, unique and once in a lifetime experience. Preparation and training were required. The walk was life changing in my opinion and friends were made that I will keep in contact with. I can’t recommend Walk Local highly enough”.
“We recently did a walk from Lucca to Rome over 24 days with Walk Local. Carolyn was the perfect tour leader and guide and she puts everything into making our time on the walk memorable and enjoyable. The choice of accomodation and sights and activities are great and varied and you get to experience the small towns and meet the people and enjoy the local culture. The walk is sometimes challenging but at the end of each day it’s great to have a meal with your group and feel the sense of achievement from the walk. Highly recommended”.
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