Via Francigena: Siena - Viterbo
Welcome in Val d'Orcia. The area is formed by an amazing hilly countryside considered a UNESCO heritage site for the beauty and the right preservation. Farmhouses and vineyards, sunflower fields and tiny forests, will lead you to discover and appreciate this wonderful region in the Centre of Italy. The Via Francigena will cross Tuscany, entering into the Lazio region, in the land that was dominated by the mysterious Etruscan civilization, before the domination of the Romans.
Highlights:- Siena and the "Piazza del Campo" where the famous "palio" takes place
- The Val d'Orcia landscape, a UNESCO heritage site
- The Etruscan land, tiny villages and volcanic lakes
Highlights:
- The Val d'Orcia landscape, a UNESCO heritage site
- The Etruscan land, tiny villages and volcanic lakes
Day 1: Siena
Arrival in Siena and accommodation in your hotel in the heart of the medieval town. Overnight stay in Siena.
Day 2: Siena - Quinciano (4 hours , + 125 - 250 m, 19 km)
This route follows characteristic white dirt roads of Tuscany on the summits of the hills of the Arbia Valley. Siena is in your back, above the hill. At the end of the hike, to Quinciano, transfer to Siena. Overnight stay in Siena.
Day 3: Quinciano - Montalcino (6 hours , + 610 - 250 m, 24 km)
In the morning, you return to Quinciano by private transfer and you take back the paths of the Tuscan countryside. You arrive at Buonconvento, a picturesque Tuscan village, with its exceptionally well-preserved walls, red brick buildings and magnificent Gothic gates. From Buonconvento and its small historical center, you climb to the Ombrone Valley. Following a stretch of the old Roman road “Via Cassia” towards Montalcino, the homeland of Brunello wine. Tasting of local wines and products at the end of the afternoon. Overnight stay in Montalcino.
Day 4: Montalcino – Castiglione d’Orcia (5h30 hours , + 700 - 440 m, 22,5 km)
Short transfer to leave Montalcino and reach the Via Francigena. You cross the Val d'Orcia and its amazing hilly landscape , a UNESCO heritage. You discover San Quirico and the splendid Gothic church of Saint-Hilaire and continue to Castiglione d'Orcia, protected by the Rocca, a "watchtower" of the Via Francigena. Dinner and overnight in Castiglione d'Orcia.
Day 5: Castiglione d’Orcia - Radicofani (5 hours , + 460 - 270 m, 20 km)
You leave the Val d'Orcia and you walk south, towards Radicofani, for centuries, one of the most important fortresses of Italy. From the top of the 790 m of altitude where the city is located, it was possible to control the Via Cassia and the borders between Latium, Umbria and Tuscany. Dinner and overnight at the doors of Radicofani.
Day 6: Radicofani – Centeno - Acquapendente (5 hours , + 250 - 530 m, 20 km)
A fairly long day across lovely countryside enjoying a beautiful panorama on the valley of the Paglia river and the extinct volcano fo Mt. Amiata. The last stretch climbing towards Acquapendente signal the border line between Tuscany and Latium. From Centeno transfer to Acquapendente. Dinner and overnight stay in Acquapendente.
Day 7: Acquapendente – Bolsena (5h30 hours , + 200 - 300 m, 23,5 km)
Follow the route to San Lorenzo Nuovo, where you can admire views of Lake Bolsena. Going down the volcanic crater, undertake a pleasant route along excavated streets leading to Bolsena, going up and down among olive groves, fields, and forests in the background. Dinner and overnight stay in Bolsena.
Day 8: Bolsena - Montefiascone (5h30 hours , + 530 - 230 m, 18 km)
Discovering the volcanic lake of Bolsena, laying in a huge ancient caldera. After passing through oak forest you'll have the unique chance to walk on the original "Cassia" roman road, understanding the ability of Romans as road builder. Dinner overnight stay in Montefiascone.
Day 9: Montefiascone - Viterbo (4h30 hours , + 80 - 400 m, 18 km)
Montefiascone was an important and strategic defensive place for the Popes. Walking in the countryside with a lot of sheep and cattle until the medieval hot spring of Baganaccio, where the pilgrim bound for Rome used to stop to rest their bodies in the warm natural water. Above us rises Viterbo, the fortified town of Viterbo is waiting for you. End of tour. In Viterbo you can book an extra night or continue walking on the next part of Via Francigena.
Arrival in Siena and accommodation in your hotel in the heart of the medieval town. Overnight stay in Siena.
Day 2: Siena - Quinciano (4 hours , + 125 - 250 m, 19 km)
This route follows characteristic white dirt roads of Tuscany on the summits of the hills of the Arbia Valley. Siena is in your back, above the hill. At the end of the hike, to Quinciano, transfer to Siena. Overnight stay in Siena.
Day 3: Quinciano - Montalcino (6 hours , + 610 - 250 m, 24 km)
In the morning, you return to Quinciano by private transfer and you take back the paths of the Tuscan countryside. You arrive at Buonconvento, a picturesque Tuscan village, with its exceptionally well-preserved walls, red brick buildings and magnificent Gothic gates. From Buonconvento and its small historical center, you climb to the Ombrone Valley. Following a stretch of the old Roman road “Via Cassia” towards Montalcino, the homeland of Brunello wine. Tasting of local wines and products at the end of the afternoon. Overnight stay in Montalcino.
Day 4: Montalcino – Castiglione d’Orcia (5h30 hours , + 700 - 440 m, 22,5 km)
Short transfer to leave Montalcino and reach the Via Francigena. You cross the Val d'Orcia and its amazing hilly landscape , a UNESCO heritage. You discover San Quirico and the splendid Gothic church of Saint-Hilaire and continue to Castiglione d'Orcia, protected by the Rocca, a "watchtower" of the Via Francigena. Dinner and overnight in Castiglione d'Orcia.
Day 5: Castiglione d’Orcia - Radicofani (5 hours , + 460 - 270 m, 20 km)
You leave the Val d'Orcia and you walk south, towards Radicofani, for centuries, one of the most important fortresses of Italy. From the top of the 790 m of altitude where the city is located, it was possible to control the Via Cassia and the borders between Latium, Umbria and Tuscany. Dinner and overnight at the doors of Radicofani.
Day 6: Radicofani – Centeno - Acquapendente (5 hours , + 250 - 530 m, 20 km)
A fairly long day across lovely countryside enjoying a beautiful panorama on the valley of the Paglia river and the extinct volcano fo Mt. Amiata. The last stretch climbing towards Acquapendente signal the border line between Tuscany and Latium. From Centeno transfer to Acquapendente. Dinner and overnight stay in Acquapendente.
Day 7: Acquapendente – Bolsena (5h30 hours , + 200 - 300 m, 23,5 km)
Follow the route to San Lorenzo Nuovo, where you can admire views of Lake Bolsena. Going down the volcanic crater, undertake a pleasant route along excavated streets leading to Bolsena, going up and down among olive groves, fields, and forests in the background. Dinner and overnight stay in Bolsena.
Day 8: Bolsena - Montefiascone (5h30 hours , + 530 - 230 m, 18 km)
Discovering the volcanic lake of Bolsena, laying in a huge ancient caldera. After passing through oak forest you'll have the unique chance to walk on the original "Cassia" roman road, understanding the ability of Romans as road builder. Dinner overnight stay in Montefiascone.
Day 9: Montefiascone - Viterbo (4h30 hours , + 80 - 400 m, 18 km)
Montefiascone was an important and strategic defensive place for the Popes. Walking in the countryside with a lot of sheep and cattle until the medieval hot spring of Baganaccio, where the pilgrim bound for Rome used to stop to rest their bodies in the warm natural water. Above us rises Viterbo, the fortified town of Viterbo is waiting for you. End of tour. In Viterbo you can book an extra night or continue walking on the next part of Via Francigena.
Skill level: easy, 3 to 7 hours walking each day, well-marked paved and unpaved paths.
Accommodation: 8 nights in hotel*** or B&B , based on twin/triple rooms
Equipment: trekking shoes, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream.
Included:
- 8 nights' accommodation with breakfast included
- Luggage transfer from day 2 to day 9
- Dinners included as described in the program
- Private transfer from Centeno to Acquapendente on day 6
- 24 hrs Phone assistance in case of emergency
- Maps, road book and description of the tour
Not included:
- All kind of beverages and personal items
- All lunches (about 5€ for each pic nic lunch)
- Dinners not included in the program
- Transfer to the first accommodation in Siena on day 1
- Transfer to the airport on day 9
- Tourist tax
Accommodation: 8 nights in hotel*** or B&B , based on twin/triple rooms
Equipment: trekking shoes, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream.
Included:
- 8 nights' accommodation with breakfast included
- Luggage transfer from day 2 to day 9
- Dinners included as described in the program
- Private transfer from Centeno to Acquapendente on day 6
- 24 hrs Phone assistance in case of emergency
- Maps, road book and description of the tour
Not included:
- All kind of beverages and personal items
- All lunches (about 5€ for each pic nic lunch)
- Dinners not included in the program
- Transfer to the first accommodation in Siena on day 1
- Transfer to the airport on day 9
- Tourist tax
Trips Note
Destination: Tuscany and Lazio
Travel Style: Self-guided walking holiday
Interest: Pilgrim route and local gastronomy
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Departures: Apr May Jun Jul Aou Sep Oct
Group size: from 1 person
Airport: Florence and Rome
