The Etruscan Way
The Etruscan Way is a route of approximately 150 km, divided into seven stages, designed to showcase the legacy of the Etruscan civilization through a walking journey across rolling hills, coastal stretches, sunken roads and archaeological sites of exceptional value.
The trail links the Banditaccia Necropolis in Cerveteri and the Monterozzi Necropolis in Tarquinia, both designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Full Route
From Cerveteri, the trail begins along the evocative Via degli Inferi, continues through the Selva Grande forest in Manziana and the Monterano Nature Reserve, home to the famous ghost village, and reaches the pastoral landscapes of Tolfa and Allumiere. It then enters the archaeological heart of the hinterland with Blera, the Etruscan settlement of San Giovenale, and the rock-cut necropolises of the Marturanum Park in Barbarano Romano. Advancing towards Monte Romano, the route finally leads into the territory of Tarquinia, where tumuli and painted tombs guide the traveller towards the journey’s end in Montalto di Castro, amidst the unique landscape of the Vulci Archaeological and Nature Park.
Alongside the main route, dedicated variants allow for the exploration of additional points of interest: the coastline of Santa Marinella and the sanctuary of Pyrgi, the Torre Flavia Nature Reserve in Ladispoli, and Civitavecchia, a town with a significant Etruscan heritage, as evidenced by the Scaglia and Marangone necropolises. Short detours enhance the experience with lesser-known necropolises, tuff canyons, and small villages.
The Etruscan Way passes through the territories of the 12 municipalities that make up the Etruskey DMO – Allumiere, Barbarano Romano, Blera, Canale Monterano, Cerveteri, Civitavecchia, Ladispoli, Montalto di Castro, Monte Romano, Santa Marinella, Tarquinia and Tolfa – each offering a distinctive heritage that contributes to a unique cultural and landscape mosaic.
Thanks to the railway connections along the Rome–Civitavecchia–Pisa and Rome–Viterbo lines, with stations located at strategic points along the route, the trail can also be easily broken down into shorter itineraries of 2 to 4 days, ideal for a more accessible and sustainable experience.
The Etruscan Way offers a new gateway to discover Southern Etruria: an immersive, slow-paced, and identity-rich journey, dedicated to those seeking history, nature, and authenticity.
Official Stages
The Etruscan Way
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Cerveteri → Canale Monterano – 26.8 km
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Canale Monterano → Tolfa – 20.2 km
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Tolfa → Allumiere → Civitella Cesi (summer variant) – 25.2 km
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Tolfa → Civitella Cesi (winter variant) – 18.2 km
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Civitella Cesi → Monte Romano – 19.2 km
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Monte Romano → Tarquinia – 19.3 km
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Tarquinia → Montalto di Castro – 26.5 km
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Montalto di Castro → Vulci – 17 km
Variants: connections and branches
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Cerveteri → Castel San Giuliano → Sambuco → Pian della Carlotta → Santa Severa (2 stages) – 42 km
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Santa Severa → Tolfa – 20.6 km
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Allumiere → Tarquinia – 26 km
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Allumiere → Civitavecchia – 26 km
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Barbarano Romano → Civitella Cesi – 7.5 km
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Blera → San Giovenale (connection to the Tuscia Trail 103) – 7.4 km
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Ladispoli → Cerveteri – 7.4 km
