From London to Rome by bike: EuroVelo 5, the Via Romea Francigena
Connecting London to Rome by bike, crossing the Alps, following in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims…
The EuroVelo 5 – Via Romea Francigena is a unique route combining history, culture and a sporting challenge.
At nearly 3,200 km, this route crosses Europe from north to south all the way to the Eternal City.
👉 But be careful: this is not an easy route. The Alpine crossing completely changes the game.
🌍 EuroVelo 5 at a glance
- Distance: ~3,200 km
- Countries: United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy
- Level: intermediate to advanced
- Type: paths + roads + mountain sections
👉 It is a complete route: smooth in the north, Alpine in the center, cultural in the south.
🚴 Road quality (good but uneven)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Pleasant secondary roads
- Few dedicated cycle paths
🇫🇷 🇧🇪 🇱🇺 France / Belgium / Luxembourg
- Good cycle network
- Frequent greenways
🇩🇪 Germany
- Excellent infrastructure
- Sections along rivers
🇨🇭 Switzerland
- Impeccable paths
- Very well signposted
- Significant elevation
🇮🇹 Italy
- Very variable
- Beautiful sections
- Sometimes technical roads
👉 Summary: very good in the north, demanding in Switzerland and Italy.
⛰️ The Alpine crossing (the real challenge)
This is the key point of EuroVelo 5:
- Long and demanding climbs
- High altitude
- Changing weather conditions
👉 This is not a section for beginners.
💡 Alternative: take a train to avoid the hardest passes.
⛺ Camping & accommodation
North & Central Europe
- Very easy
- Many campsites
- €10–25
Switzerland
- Very good network
- But expensive (€20–40)
Italy
- Fewer campsites
- Many accommodation options
👉 No problem finding places to stay, but the budget varies.
🌿 Wild camping
- Tolerated in France (discretion)
- Forbidden in Switzerland
- Forbidden in Italy (checks possible)
👉 Better to favor campsites or accommodation in the south.
🔥 Safety
- Very safe overall
- Be careful in the mountains
- Italian roads can sometimes be more demanding
👉 No major issue, but stay alert on Alpine descents.
🌬️ Climate & best season
- North: variable
- Alps: summer recommended
- Italy: hot in summer
👉 Ideal: May → June or September.
🍽️ Budget
- North: €40–80/day
- Switzerland: €60–120
- Italy: €30–70
🌟 10 spots not to miss
- London – legendary start
- Canterbury – historic point
- Luxembourg – fortified city
- Strasbourg – European culture
- Basel – gateway to the Alps
- Swiss passes – Alpine landscapes
- Lake Como – incredible panorama
- Po Plain – total contrast
- Tuscany – iconic roads
- Rome – legendary arrival
🚲 Traffic & popularity
- Moderate overall
- Higher in Italy
👉 Less touristy than EV6 or EV17.
🧠 Practical tips
- Light bike recommended
- Suitable gearing is essential
- Prepare the Alpine section
- Anticipate costs in Switzerland
👉 Careful planning is essential on this route.
🚀 Conclusion
EuroVelo 5 is a route apart.
- ✔ Historic
- ✔ Cultural
- ✔ Spectacular
But also:
- ⚠️ Demanding
- ⚠️ Mountainous
- ⚠️ Expensive in Switzerland
👉 If you want to connect London to Rome by bike, this is a unique adventure.
But get ready: here, every kilometer is earned.