Via Francigena from Siena to Montefiascone
Toscana & LazioDifficulty path:Highlights
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The wonders of Siena
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From Via Cassia to Montefiascone: Traveling Through History
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Acquapendente: between religion and myth
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The picturesque views of Val d'Orcia
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San Quirico: Gem of the Via Francigena
Program
Siena
Your journey along the Via Francigena starts from the enchanting Piazza del Campo in Siena: the beating heart of the Tuscan city and the scene of the ancient Palio. We recommend you visit the characteristic streets of its beautiful historic center, if you are lucky you can immerse yourself in the sounds and smells of a characteristic contrada festival, naturally accompanied by the typical delicacies of the place.
From Siena to Lucignano
21 km o 10km + bus from Siena
Leaving Siena and its wonders behind, the spectacular ridges of the Val d'Elsa will welcome you, where you will walk accompanied by breathtaking views. The bright colors of the Sienese countryside reflect under the sun of this splendid day, while one step after another you will reach Lucignano. Along the way we recommend you make a short stop to admire the suggestive Grancia di Cuna , an ancient testimony of a fortified farm dating back to the Middle Ages, once the custodian of the grain reserves of the Republic of Siena.
→ It is possible to shorten today's stage to just 10 km by taking a bus from Siena to Isola d'Arbia and continuing on foot to Lucignano
From Lucignano to Buonconvento
14 km
On the second day of walking you will be immersed in the Ombrone Valley , among cultivated fields and ridges that cross long watercourses framed by colorful river vegetation. Today's stage ends in Buonconvento, a place of identity and myth, whose name - literally: happy and fortunate place - tells a lot about the life of this ancient country village, where time is marked by the rhythms of the seasons.
Transfer from Buonconvento to San Quirico d'Orcia, walk to Castiglione
10 km
A short stage but one of the most evocative and romantic because it is still imbued with the same emotions of the ancient pilgrims of the 18th century. You will follow for some stretches the old Via Cassia that will accompany you in the discovery of landscapes that become wilder and more solitary.
The water square of Bagno Vignoni will be an almost obligatory stop to immerse yourself in its waters and admire the unique atmosphere that you breathe. The perfect prelude to one of the most beautiful views of the entire walk that the ancient village of Castiglione d'Orcia will give you
From Castiglione to Radicofani
20 km o 11km + private transfer
You are now halfway through the journey. Today you will finally reach Radicofani, that hilltop village whose view has accompanied you for days. The final climb is worth all the effort to tackle it, but it will be the introduction to a medieval village that will make you fall in love.
→ It is possible to shorten today's stage to just 11 km with a private transfer from Castiglione to Gallina and then continued on foot to Radicofani.
From Radicofani to Acquapendente
27 km o 10km + bus from Ponte sul Rigo
After a hearty breakfast, you will resume your journey on the Via Francigena in one of the wildest stretches of the entire Sigeric route. The orderly landscapes of Tuscany slowly give way to steeper fields destined for pastures. The ancient Via Cassia is there waiting for you with the boundless hills from which Monte Amiata rises. You will arrive in Acquapendente, the northernmost municipality of Lazio. We recommend that you abandon yourself to the discovery of its beautiful paved streets that converge in the imposing Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre which preserves, according to tradition, some stones bathed in the blood of Christ.
→ It is possible to shorten today's stage to just 10 km by taking a bus from Ponte sul Rigo to Acquapendente.
From Acquapendente to Bolsena
23km o 12km + private transfer
The first stop entirely in Lazio will give you the first glimpses of Lake Bolsena surrounded by thick woods and meadows dotted with olive trees and bales of hay. Arrival in Bolsena, a charming lakeside town where we recommend you visit the Chapel of the Miracle, which houses some marble slabs stained by blood from a 13th-century host.
→ It is possible to shorten today's stage to just 12 km with a private transfer from Acquapendente to San Lorenzo Nuovo and then continue on foot to Bolsena.
From Bolsena to Montefiascone
17km
Last day of walking with the beautiful lake on the horizon to accompany you on this exciting day . You will walk together in the sweet shade of the Turona park, known for its fresh spring waters. Just before arriving in Montefiascone, a sign will remind you that from here there are 100 km to Rome, but the surrounding landscape will suggest you to continue walking slowly and enjoy the beauty of the historic center of Montefiascone, the arrival point of today's stage and of the entire journey.
Arrivederci Montefiascone
After breakfast, end of services. We recommend that you take some time to visit the beautiful historic center of Montefiascone perched beyond the eighteenth-century gates and visit the Rocca dei Papi from which you can admire an incredible panorama that embraces Lake Bolsena. To end the day, a good glass of the tasty local white wine.
Tour programme variations
Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday.
Along the way you may find temporary deviations (for example road works) which cannot be foreseen; in this case each walker can decide autonomously how to deal with these stretches.
What's included
Our offer includes
- 8 nights with breakfast in double room
- Day 4 Transfer
- Luggage transportation hotel to hotel (1 item per person)
- Pilgrim's Credential
- Travel App (maps, tracks, route notes)
- Phone assistance 08:00-20:00
Not included
- Transfer IN and Transfer OUT
- Local public transport
- Other meals and drinks
- Extra luggage
- Entrance fees and tips
- Hotel tourist taxes
- Insurance and what's not listed as “Included”
Departures and prices
Supplements per person
Other Information
The itinerary along the Via Francigena between Tuscany and Lazio is suitable for anyone who is very well trained in walking long distances. The length of the stages ranges from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 27 km, with altitude differences and routes of medium difficulty and travel times between 3 and 6 hours.
The excursions mostly wind along dirt paths, including in wooded areas and country roads, with some rare but essential passages on busy roads.
It is advisable to bring comfortable shoes suitable for trekking, trekking poles (strongly recommended), hat, water, sunscreen, swimsuit and raincoat in case of rain.
This tour offers accommodation in farmhouses, central B&B and selected 3* hotel.
All rooms are ensuite
- 1 night in Siena - Hotel Chiusarelli
- 1 night in Lucignano - Hotel Borgo Antico
- 1 night in Buonconvento - Hotel Il Ghibellino
- 1 night in Castiglione - B&B Il Vecchietta
- 1 night in Radicofani - Agriturismo La Selvella
- 1 night in Acquapendente - Albergo Toscana
- 1 night in Bolsena - Agriturismo Le Vigne
- 1 night in Montefiascone - Hotel Urbano V
8 breakfasts included.
In case of non-availability we choose an alternative position with similar characteristics. Alternative details will be noted in the updated Service List.
→ We will take care of your luggage while you are walking.
For the whole duration of your tour, you can contact our assistance numbers.
A few days before departure you will receive by email the Service List with instructions for using the Travel App.
Upon your arrival, ask at reception for the infopack with:
- updated Service List;
- Pilgrim's Credential;
- luggage Labels.
Getting there
Siena is easily reachable by bus, train, car and plane.
BY TRAIN. The reference railway station is Florence. Once you reach the station, you need to continue with a regional train. To find out about cancellations or additions of stops, cancellations, delays, deviations and many other useful information for those travelling by train with Trenitalia, consult viaggiatreno . NB : on holidays there are no trains but only a few buses.
BY PLANE. The closest airports to Siena are Florence-Peretola and Pisa.
Once you arrive at the airport, you can continue by bus. Visit the Toscana Aeroporti
website for more detailed information.
BY BUS. Siena can also be reached by bus. Here are the major companies that operate the service: Marinobus, Baltour & Flixbus
BY CAR. For those arriving from the South, take the A1 motorway towards Florence. For those arriving from the North, take the A1 towards Bologna, take the Firenze-Impruneta exit and continue towards Siena. Google Maps can help.
→ If you prefer to travel in total comfort, you can book a private transfer on the days of arrival and departure.