The best of the Via Francigena: From San Miniato to Buonconvento

Your travel will start from San Miniato, a jewel of Via Francigena. The Seminary, from which the main square takes its name, will surprise you with  its particular façade: don’t miss it illuminated, maybe after having enjoyed a risotto powdered with the typical white truffle, a local gastronomic pride.

A demanding leg, but one with unique beautiful scenery, awaits you. From San Miniato you will walk along an asphalted section of road, amply compensated by the following part which passes through the splendid crests of the hills of the Val d’Elsa: along the road you can cross the threshold of the Pieve di Chianni, following in the footsteps of entire generations of pilgrims.

Challenge: 7 hours, 24 km / 15 mi, 781m ascent, 654m descent

This leg of the journey, short but rich in splendid natural scenery, will lead you to San Gimignano, one of the most beautiful towns along the Via Francigena: you will get a foretaste of your arrival when you see the 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. During the evening, take a quiet stroll to admire the illuminated town.

Challenge: 6 hours, 18 km / 11 mi, 595m ascent, 540m descent

From San Gimignano you will continue, up and down, through the Tuscan hills. In one point of the journey not yet well marked you will come to Molino d’Aiano, one of the halting places along the ancient route of Sigerico. Today’s destination is Colle Val d’Elsa, a Tuscan village which will take you back in time, with its charming old town centre and narrow alleyways winding through the stone walls.

Challenge: 6 hours, 12 km / 7,5 mi, 209m ascent, 204m descent

Prepare yourselves for one of the most beautiful sections of the Via Francigena: a meditative route, along which you can admire the Pieve di Strove (unfortunately just from the outside) and stand in the quietness of the splendid Abbadia at Isola, another stage in the journey of the Archbishop Sigerico, where time stopped 1000 years ago, when he passed through. Your breath will be taken away when you see the castle of Monteriggioni, with its crown of towers, built on a hill as a defence against the ancient republic of Siena. Within it, a small ancient world, with the beautiful square and small gardens where you will be able to gather your breath, before climbing up onto the walls to admire the surrounding view.

Challenge: 4 hours, 16 km / 10 mi, 132m ascent, 57m descent

From Monteriggioni you will start your walk again along the white roads of the Sienese countryside, passing thought the old, no longer inhabited medieval village of Cerbaia. : you will experience the same feelings as the ancient pilgrims when you pass through porta Camollia, the traditional Francigena entrance to the town of Siena. An unforgettable way to celebrate? A plate of pici all’aglione in the illuminated Piazza del Campo. And don’t forget the panforte!

Challenge: 6 hours, 20 km / 12,5 mi, 224m ascent, 245m descent

Let’s hope that the sun will be shinning during the first day of your journey, because the Crests of the Val d’Arbia offer unforgettable views: after saying goodbye to Siena, resting on the hills on the horizon, you will travel along the typical dirt roads of Siena as far as the fortified village of  Lucignano, with its fine Church. At the gates of Monteroni d’Arbia you will be able to admire the impressive Grancia di Cuna, a fortified farm which held the reserves of wheat destined to the republic of Siena.

Challenge:  6 hours, 21 km / 13 mi, 316m ascent, 484m descent

From Lucignano you will continue your journey through the Valle dell’Ombrone to Buonconvento. You will cross the gate of the walls and enter the fine old town centre of the village, discovering why its name means “happy fortunate place”: you will walk through the picturesque streets, where life is lived quietly following the slow rhythms of a provincial village, and if you love art, you will be able to admire the works of some of the most famous Sienese painters in the  Museum of Sacred Art of the Val d’Arbia. At the end of the walk, you will find your bag at the local hotel and head to the airport to go back home.

Challenge:  5 hours,  13.8 km / 8,5 mi, 168m ascent, 187m descent