SloWays • The heart of Tuscan Via Francigena

Stop and look around. What you are seeing is the iconic Tuscan countryside – the one printed on postcards. But this is not a photograph, it is live and you are here! In front of you lies the soft rolling hills scattered with cypresses, a gravel road stretching as far as the eye can see and a horizon filled with more and more beautiful landscapes.

Have you even wondered which part of Via Francigena is the most spectacular? Here it is, in the heart of Tuscany. We decided to enshrine it in 8 days of walking, 8 days filled with emotion.

Enter the Pieve di Chianni, where Sigeric the Serious slept, and rest within the frescoed walls of its hostel. The following day, see the towers of the Monteriggioni castle, from a distance, getting closer and closer with every step as you venture through the beautiful Val d’Elsa. The promising horizon foretells of a rising fairytale castle and its crown of towers.

The red earth under your feet accompanies you towards Siena until you pass through its gate: here it’s easy to turn the corner and meet a parade of flag wavers and drummers, proudly flaunting the colors of their district. Finally, immerse yourself in the lunar landscape of the Crete Senesi, the colors merging and overlapping in front of your eyes on windwept, sunburnt grass.

All of this in one trip: enjoy the best, all the while knowing that you won’t be able to resist all there is to see in this beautiful placed called Italy!

Route

Day 1: San Miniato

Day 2: From San Miniato to Gambassi Terme, 24 km

Day 3: From Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano, 13,5 km

Day 4: From San Gimignano to Colle Val d'Elsa, 12 km

Day 5: From Colle Val d'Elsa to Monteriggioni, 16 km

Day 6: From Monteriggioni to Siena, 20 km

Day 7: From Siena to Lucignano, 21 km

Day 8: From Lucignano to Buonconvento, 13,8 km

Day 1: San Miniato

Your journey begins in San Miniato, a small town perched on a hill. While this little hamlet may not be as famous as the other art cities along your path, we believe sometimes "the less known, the better". Here you can walk through the narrow streets of the old town center and find yourself staring the painted façade of the Seminary – even more beautiful by night, strolling after a delicious dinner.

And speaking of dinner, if you love food don’t miss the local culinary experience: the white truffle, a delicacy you can joyfully indulge in as a celebration of your walk.

Day 2: From San Miniato to Gambassi Terme, 24 km

Ready to start with a bang? Your first day of walking covers one of our favorite sections of the route. You walk along the sides of soft rolling hills; in the spring green colored and speckled with wild flowers, and in the summer a golden windswept sea.

Gambassi Terme hosts the Pieve di Chianni – and one of the most beautiful hostels of the entire route. You sleep in bedrooms with ensuite services, the walls often decorated with original restored frescoes, taken care of by the family that manages the hostel with love and dedication.

Exchange travel stories with the other guests with a glass of ice-cold beer in front of you, and then a not-to-miss visit to the Pieve where you will find several engravings, bas-reliefs and paintings with more than a story to tell.

Distance: 24 km

Elevation gain: +400/-220 m

Day 3: From Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano, 13,5 km

Today’s walk is short but sweet. Before long you will see the towers of San Gimignano shimmering in the distance: the goal looks promising, but don’t forget to enjoy the journey.

This part of the walk is through soft hills, a sea of green/golden grass and farmhouses, to finally reach the Pieve di Cellole. This unique place, immersed in peace and silence, hosts a monk community. If you hear a muffled sound coming from the Romanic church guarded by cypresses, quietly come closer and listen: the monks sing every day, and you may be fortunate enough to hear them.

You proceed towards San Gimignano, closer and closer. Our recommendation is that you go straight to the Torre Grossa. From the top of this highest tower of San Gimignano, far from the crowd filling the narrow streets below, you can admire a 360° view of the old town center and the beautiful landscape all around.

If you like wine, you must taste the local pride – the Vernaccia, a white wine that you can sip at its best, in the winery of the Montestaffoli fortress.

Distance: 13,5 km

Elevation gain: +350/-350 m

Day 4: From San Gimignano to Colle Val d'Elsa, 12 km

The journey continues along a much more shaded section. Today you walk through the forests of Val d’Elsa and enjoy little adventures as you ford easy rivers and streams, find meadows dappled in sunlight that breaks through the trees, and refresh yourself in the cool stream water.

Today you reach Colle Val d’Elsa, a medieval hamlet enclosed in stone walls.

Distance: 12 km

Elevation gain: +287/-222 m

Day 5: From Colle Val d'Elsa to Monteriggioni, 16 km

Prepare yourself for a restorative meditation in the form of a walk. The road takes you through hills, woods and meadows, quiet churches and unique places like Abbadia a Isola – once an ancient abbey surrounded by marshes, now a hostel that hosts pilgrims and an annual slow travel festival.

Here you can stop by Massimo for a coffee and a slice of homemade cake before setting off again. Now you are headed to Monteriggioni, a tiny ancient world enshrined in a crown of towers. You can sit in the main square and watch as it comes to life with pilgrims and locals, or walk on the walls to enjoy the surrounding landscape from an elevated position. There are also hidden gardens where you can rest – but we leave the pleasure of finding them to you!

Distance: 16 km

Elevation gain: +287/-222 m

Day 6: From Monteriggioni to Siena, 20 km

Today your feet cross gravel roads, Siena-red colored paths, and shady trails through woods full of surprises: one moment only trees and leaves and then suddenly a castle, or perhaps, the remains of a medieval village, or maybe, a pyramid in the middle of the forest.

With every step you get closer to Siena. Suddenly you pass through the Porta Camollia and merge yourself into the old town center. You are passing through "contrade" – city districts – at all times. You may come upon one of their celebrations, in the colorful parades animated by flag wavers and the sound of drums – or maybe even the preparations for the Palio, the most important event of the year.

By night, enjoy the illuminated Piazza del Campo, then sit in a trattoria and order some pici: these thick spaghetti are really satisfying, especially if tossed in the traditional sauces – pepper and cacio cheese or “all’aglione”, with tomato sauce and garlic.

Distance: 20 km

Elevation gain: +300/-250 m

Day 7: From Siena to Lucignano, 21 km

Keep your finger crossed and hope for a sunny day, because the hills of Val d’Arbia are a view that you won’t easily forget.

After saying goodbye to Siena, you walk the typical “strade bianche”, gravel road running through the hills. The landscape all around you looks like something painted by a skilled artist with each color perfectly chosen and placed. The shades of grey, green and silver mix in front of your eyes, every glance offers a surprising and ever different view.

It’s a lunar landscape out of space and time, which only this part of the world can offer.

Just out of Monteroni d’Arbia you can admire the imposing Grancia di Cuna, a fortified farm that used to store the grain reserves for the Republic of Siena.

Distance: 21 km

Elevation gain: +50/-200 m

Day 8: From Lucignano to Buonconvento, 13,8 km

Your last day of walking takes you in the Ombrone Valley, another natural painting of staggering beauty. The last kilometers of your journey won’t disappoint, and neither will the village where your adventure comes to an end. Buonconvento is a real slice of Tuscan life, a “happy and fortunate place”, just like its name implies.

Walk through the streets of the medieval city center, enjoying the slow, tranquil pace of life in this regional town. If after the natural beauty you want to also admire those created by humans, the Museum of Sacred Art of the Val d'Arbia houses the works of some of the most famous Sienese painters.

Distance: 13,8 km

Elevation gain: +120/-150 m

accommodation

Nights in double room in **/*** hotels , B&B and agriturismi with breakfast

Hotel San Miniato - San Miniato

What in the thirteenth century was a severe monastery cloister is now Hotel San Miniato, refined historic home sits on a hill overlooking the Tuscan countryside between Florence and Pisa. The rooms are comfortable, elegant and clean. Breakfast is good and rich.

www.hotelsanminiato.com

Hotel Borgo Antico - Lucignano

The Hotel is surrounded by a relaxed and pleasant environment. Rooms are small, but clean. These are furnished in every detail while maintaining the typical Tuscan style with beams and wood trim. In some rooms you can admire the beautiful Tuscan landscape. Free Wifi, air conditioning, TV.

www.hotelborgoantico.com

Ostello Sigerico - Gambassi

This building is situated on one of the branches of the Via Francigena, which Sigerico, Archbishop of Canterbury, walked between 990 and 994. This hostel housed in finely restored historical buildings and it has basic, clean and comfortable rooms.

www.ostellosigerico.it

Hotel La Cisterna - San Gimignano

The hotel is both overlooking the ancient Piazza della Cisterna used to welcome pilgrims from all over the world and charming hills of San Gimignano. This stately homes is located in an excellent position, into the heart of San Gimignano.

www.hotelcisterna.it

Arnolfo B&B - Colle Val d'Elsa

The Arnolfo B&B, next to the ponte di Campana, is a confortable accomodation divided into three apartments for a total of 10 rooms, each having its own bathroom with shower, Wi-Fi and satellite TV. Furthermore these are spacious and quiet. The location is well-finished and beautifully decorated. Breakfast is rich.

www.arnolfobb.it

Il Piccolo Castello - Monteriggioni

www.ilpiccolocastello.it

Hotel Chiusarelli - Siena

Hotel Chiusarelli*** is located in the city center of Siena and finds its natural setting in a neoclassical villa built around 1870. The Hotel has been completely renovated in 2013 and offers spacious and clean rooms with air conditioning/heating, telephone, free Wifi and TV with Sky Vision. The Hotel doesn't have the lift. Quality breakfast.

www.chiusarelli.com

practical info

You can find more information in the "accommodation" section: we always select your accommodation for their character and comfort. You will always be booked in a private, en-suite room, with breakfast included.

Luggage transfer (max. 20 kg) from one hotel to the hotel is included in the price.

From any airport, get to the closest railway station. From there, you can reach San Miniato Basso by train (the station's name is "S. Miniato-Fucecchio"). Trains are direct from both Pisa and Florence.

Once in San Miniato Basso, you can reach San Miniato Alto by bus (get off at Piazza del Popolo). Chec bus schedules on https://pisa.cttnord.it/Linee_e_Orari/linee-extraurbane/L/134 (bus line 320).

On departure from Buonconvento, you can get Pisa, Florence, Bologna and Milano by train.

Check train timetables on www.trenitalia.com.

Thanks to our special APP, you will be able to follow the track of the whole trip on your mobile phone, with no need for internet. GPS tracks are available on request.

Included

What is included

7 Nights in double room in **/*** hotels , B&B and agriturismi with breakfast
3 dinners (Gambassi Terme, Monteriggioni, Lucignano)
luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
maps and detailed description of the itinerary
Pilgrim Passport
Medical and luggage travel insurance
24h phone assistance

What is not included

Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
lunches and dinners, if not otherwise stated
visits and entrance fees - tips
personal expense
possible sojourn taxes
everything that is not mentioned in the "What is included" section.

Optional Services

These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour:

Single room supplement
cancellation insurance
Transfers to reach the starting location or to leave the arriving location of the tour, which will be quoted on request.

Is this trip for me?

If you'd like to start with a bang and walk the most beautiful part of Via Francigena, this is it. From the quaint hamlet of San Miniato to the lunar landscape of Crete Senesi, through the towers of San Gimignano and Monteriggioni. The first stage may result a bit challenging in terms of lenght and lack of shade in Summer, but you can shorten it with a private transfer.