The Heart of Tuscan Via Francigena

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. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

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

We place great importance on the choice of lodging and select hotels with care and attention. We know how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We prefer welcoming and charming accommodations, ideally family-run, that truly embody the spirit of the place and can welcome you with comfort and warmth.

Where, due to the nature of the route, the choice of accommodations is limited, we select the option that best aligns with our standards.