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Overview map
Val d'Orcia walking • From Montepulciano to Siena
Hill top towns of Tuscany
- Visit the natural, artistic and cultural treasures of the Val d’Orcia, on the UNESCO heritage list
- Wonderful landscapes, wide open fields, cypress lined hills and vineyards
- Incredibly well preserved medieval and renaissance villages and hilltop towns
- Peaceful country roads, friendly Tuscans and delicious regional culinary specialties
The route is quite easy, with ups and downs typical of the Tuscany’s rolling hills. The whole itinerary is mostly on paths and gravel roads (strade bianche), even if you will find some sections on asphalted road. Some walks can be shortened if requested in advance.
Start: Montepulciano Finish: Siena
Your Tuscan walking begin in the medieval and Renaissance hill town of Montepulciano. Montepulciano is easily accessible via Rome, Florence or Pisa; catch the train to Chiusi then take a local bus or a short taxi ride to Montepulciano. Admire the impressive views over the rolling Tuscan landscape that you’ll be exploring over the next week.
Starting from the San Biagio church you follow a quiet track to the peaceful village of Montichiello where you can pause for a relaxed lunch or perhaps just a quick cappuccino before continuing to Pienza.
Pienza is a UNESCO World Heritage site with unique Renaissance architecture. The town is well known for its delicious pecorino cheese and truffles; this is a grat spot to indulge in Tuscan treats!
Challenge: 4 hours, 13/15 km, 384 m ascent, 504 m descent
Today you wander through a beautiful region of rolling hills, oak woods, cypress trees and pretty villages.
The thermal baths complex at Bagno Vignoni Is the perfect location to spend the afternoon soaking up the Tuscan warmth.
Challenge: 4 hours, 12 km, 197 m ascent, 418 m descent
A more challenging but rewarding day’s walking awaits as you follow dry riverbeds through a fairly wild environment to Sant’Antimo, an isolated abbey situated in a Pastoral landscape. After exploring the abbey you will be transferred to Montalcino.
Challenge: 5 hours, 14 km, 227 m ascent, 187 m descent
A hearty breakfast will set you up for a long but enjoy day of walking in the famous Brunello wine region, passing vineyards and olive groves, then again entering the beautiful Tuscan landscape of the Crete Sensi and Buonconvento.
Challenge: 5 hours, 15/18 km, 316 m ascent, 619 m descent
A short day which is full of ups and downs, beginning with a transfer to the monastery at Monte Oliveto Maggiore, an impressive abbey built of red brick and set in the rugged Tuscan landscape. After an early visit to avoid the crowd, walk back to Buonconvento.
Challenge: 5 hours, 14 km, 382 m ascent, 460m descent
Today you will start with a short transfer to Monteroni d’Arbia from where you start the walk towards Siena. Hike through a landscape of rolling hills and small hamlets as the unmistakable sight of Siena appears in the distance.
Once you reach Arbia train station take the train into Siena. Enjoy the magnificent beauty of Siena, famous for its biannual “Palio” horse race, held in the most beautiful shell-shaped square in Europe: the Piazza del Campo. Don’t miss a visit to the Duomo, an architectural treasure, and numerous imposing medieval palaces.
Challenge: 4 hours, 10 km, 227m ascent, 187m descent
Last day included. Tour ends after breakfast.
We use selected 3* and 4* hotels and agriturismo. Some of the accommodations chosen have a swimming pool and internal restaurant. They have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. Some of the hotels we work with appear here. If a certain hotel is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will request a similar one and inform you about the alternative booked.
Extra nights: Extra nights can be booked at any of the accommodations along the way.
www.chiusarelli.com
Departure an day of the week, subject to availability, from April 1st until october 31st
The bes arrival airports are Rome (FCO), Florence (FLR) and Pisa (PSA)
Arrival at Montepulciano
BY PLANE
From the airports you can take a train and then busses to reach Montepulciano.
BY TRAIN FROM THE AIRPORTS TO MONTPULCIANO
From Rome
From the two major Rome airports take the bus or train to Rome Termini train station. From Roma Termini train station take the direct train to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme (train ride takes approx. 1 hour and 40 minutes, ticket costs 9,95 Euros) From Chiusi-Chianciano Terme take the bus to Montepulciano (line FT4 bus ride takes 25 minutes) www.sienamobilita.it
From Florence
From Florence airport take the bus Florence Santa Maria Novella train station. From Florence train station take the direct train to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme (train ride takes approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes, ticket costs 13,50 Euros) From Chiusi-Chianciano Terme take the bus to Montepulciano (line FT4 bus ride takes 25 minutes) www.sienamobilita.it
Departure from Siena
BY TRAIN FROM SIENA TO THE AIRPORTS
Check the updated timetables on the website www.trenitalia.com
To Pisa Airport : From Siena take the train to Pisa Centrale. Train journey to Pisa takes approx. 1 hour and 45 minutes, ticket costs 10,70 Euros. From Pisa Centrale you can take a bus, train or taxi to reach Pisa Airport.
To Florence Airport From Siena take the train to Florence Santa Maria Novella Train journey to Florence takes approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes, ticket costs 9,10 Euros. From Florence Santa Maria Novella you can take a bus or taxi to reach Florence Airport
GPS tracks are available on request
Included
- 7 Nights in selected B&Bs, hotels and agriturismo
- 7 Breakfasts
- Dinner (day 5)
- Luggage transfer (from day 2 to day 7)
- Transfer from Castelnuovo dell'Abate to Montalcino (Day 4)
- Transfer from Buonconvento-Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey (day 6) and from Buonconvento to Monteroni d'Arbia (Day 7)
- Detailed information pack, route notes and maps with tracks on
- 24/7 telephone support
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Travel to the firts accommodation in Montepulciano and from the last accommodation in Siena
- Trains, busses or boats wherever necessary
- Lunches & Dinners not specifically mentioned
- Drinks and snacks
- Personal equipment
- Tourist taxes
Optional services
- Additional nights before, during or after the walk
- Single Room Supplement(s)
- Transfer from Arbia train station and transfer to Siena
