Cycling on Via Francigena, from Parma to Siena

Your trip begins in Parma, the Italian province with the highest number of DOP and IGP food products. For this reason, it is an excellent starting point for your cycling tour!

Do not miss a visit to the historical centre, where you will have the chance to visit the imposing romanesque Dome, Teatro Farnese and the Galleria Nazionale (with paintings by Leonardo Da Vinci, Van Dick, Tintoretto and Beato Angelico).

Today a demanding leg awaits you, but one that is rich in beauty: along your way you will come to the villages of Bardone and Terenzo, where you will be able to admire ancient churches and some bass-relieves treasured in their interiors. From this point you will face an ascent that will lead you to Cassio, where a brief descending trait will make you think you have reached your destination. However, this is not true: you will have to face another ascent towards Berceto, a little "stone jewel", where you can restore yourselves with local mushrooms and pattona, a typical cake made from chestnut flour.

Distance: 74 km

Ascent/descent: +1068/-332 m

There will be no rest during the last leg, but this stage holds so many surprises in store that it will make all your efforts worthwhile. From the Cisa Pass you descend towards Pontremoli, the town of bridges and stele statues, where you can enjoy a relaxing walk among the alleyways of the old town centre. Once in Aulla set your bicycle down and visit the Abbey of San Caprasio, which contains archaeological finds from the medieval period. Do not miss a walk along the ancient walls of the Fortezza della Brunella, pretending to be medieval sentries, before taking a walk through the old town centre. And if you are hungry, there is nothing better than the tasty little local focaccias, to be enjoyed still hot accompanied by charcuterie and cheeses.

Distance: 53 km

Ascent/descent: +370/-1115 m

From Aulla you will travel along the first section of the journey over demanding but gratifying paths: from here you will glimpse the sea for the first time. Along the road you will pass through very green countryside and medieval villages. Once in Sarzana you will be amazed by the Baroque interior of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and you will admire the Gothic façade of the Pieve di Sant'Andrea, the oldest building in the town. You will discover the taste of the "torta scema": try to get one of the locals to explain the meaning of its name. Your journey will continue along flat paths, following in the footsteps of the ancient pilgrims who, from the Roman port of Luni used to embark towards Santiago de Compostela. Do not miss a visit to the archaeological area, with the ancient amphitheatre and the museum which is home to a splendid mosaic dedicated to the God Neptune. You will finally arrive in Marina di Massa, where you can enjoy the first bath of your journey.

Distance: 48 km

Ascent/descent: +716/-770 m

A nice cycle path along the sea will lead you from Marina di Massa towards Pietrasanta. Before browsing among its art galleries and shops we recommend a visit of the town’s Duomo, to walk among its marble columns admiring its frescoed vaults. From Camaiore you will continue up and down among the hills of Lucca, the end of our journey: enter through the walls and immerse yourself in its old town centre, where many attractions await you. You will be able to admire the decorated façade of San Frediano, browse in the little shops of the circular piazza to buy spelt and local biscuits to take home with you, conquer the top of the Guinigi tower and admire the town from up high in its hanging garden.

Distance: 52 km

Ascent/descent: +380/-356 m

A demanding leg, but one with unique beautiful scenery, awaits you. From San Miniato you will descend towards the bottom of Val d'Elsa to later ascend again towards Gambassi Terme, where you will be able to cross the threshold of the Pieve di Chianni and enjoy a healthy bathe in the hot springs of Gambassi, surrounded by ancient trees. You will continue your journey pedalling across a splendid natural scenery towards San Gimignano, one of the most beautiful towns along the Via Francigena: you will get a foretaste of your arrival when you see in the distance the famous towers that make its skyline unmistakeable. Do not miss a view of the medieval town and its surrounding valleys from the top of the Torre Grossa, or if you haven't yet run out of energy, venture up the steps of the Rocca di Montestaffoli, for an even more special view.

Distance: 46 km

Ascent/descent: +228/-122 m

A demanding but unique section awaits you. From San Miniato you descend in the bottom of Val d’Elsa to later ascend again towards Gambassi Terme, where you will be able to cross the threshold of the Pieve di Chianni, where the same Arcibishop Sigeric slept on his way to Rome. You will continue your journey pedalling across splendid natural scenery to San Gimignano, one of the most beautiful towns along the Via Francigena: its famous towers that make its skyline unmistakeable. Do not miss the view of the medieval town and its surrounding valleys from the top of the Torre Grossa, or if you don’t run out of energy, venture up the steps of the Rocca di Montestaffoli, for an even more special view.

Distance: 42,2 km

Ascent/descent: +640/-476 m

From San Gimignano you continue, up and down, through the Tuscan hills to Colle Val d’Elsa, an out-of-time Tuscan village with a charming old town centre and narrow alleyways winding through the stone walls. The itinerary then continues through one of the most beautiful sections of the Via Francigena: a meditative route, along which you can surround yourselves with the silence of the Pieve di Strove, with its Romanesque interiors, or stand in the quietness of the splendid Abbadia at Isola, with its imposing Abbey. Do not miss a stroll along the wall of the breath-taking castle of Monteriggioni, once defending the Repubblica of Siena, before reaching Siena through dirt roads and the ancient medieval hamlet of Cerbaia. An unforgettable way to celebrate your arrival? A plate of pici all’aglione in the illuminated Piazza del Campo. And don’t forget the panforte!

Distance: 50 km

Ascent/descent: +505/-470 m

Our services end after breakfast, unless you have booked any extra nights with us

Have a safe trip home!

For our trips, we always choose accommodation with private rooms and private bathrooms. In rare cases, shared accommodations or shared bathrooms may be provided, so we recommend carefully checking the inclusions section to understand the type of accommodation included in the trip you are interested in.  

We place great importance on the choice of accommodations and select hotels with care and attention. We understand how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We always prefer cozy and characteristic establishments, preferably family-run, that fully embody the spirit of the place and offer hospitality with courtesy and comfort.  

Where, due to the nature of the route, accommodation options are limited, we choose the one that best aligns with our standards.

A varied, charming section of the Via Francigena cycling route, from the hills of Emilia Romagna to the sea of Versilia. This section is suitable for you if you have previous experience of cycling trips and a good fitness level, because of the long days on the saddle and because the climb on the first day in particular will definitely test your legs. We can rent you a bike, but as with every biking trip you are required to know how to carry out minor repairs on your bike.