Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Email: [email protected]
Southern Tuscany Renaissance hilltop towns and classic wines
https://www.onfootholidays.co.uk/routes/southern-tuscany/
Route Summary
At a glance
7 nights (6 days walking) - the full route. Extra nights recommended in Siena, Pienza and Montepulciano and others.
How much walking?
Full days: 11-19 km per day, 3½-6 hrs walking Using shortening options: 9-14km per day, 3-4 hrs (using lifts)
Max. Grade:
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The Tuscan landscape at its most evocative – rolling hills protected by dramatic hilltop villages, whose very stones reek of medieval power struggles and intrigue. And to assist in the consideration of these issues, two fine red wines, the rich Brunello di Montalcino and the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, with their vineyards at the heart of our walk. From Siena, pass through Montalcino, the Abbey of Sant’ Antimo, Bagno Vignoni and its ancient thermal baths, Pienza and a final walk up from the church of San Biagio to the cathedral at Montepulciano. We recommend extra nights in most places to explore the treasures of these towns as well as to relax and to eat and drink well.
Route Highlights
● Siena, the Campo and cathedral ● The rolling hills of Southern Tuscany ● Brunello di Montalcino ● Pienza, the classic Renaissance hilltop town ● Montepulciano, San Biagio and the cathedral
We Recommend
An extra night in Siena at the start to explore this historic and beautiful city, extra nights at Pienza or Montepulciano (both classic hilltop towns), at Bagno Vignoni to take the waters, or at Buonconvento to relax, swim in the pool and watch the sunset over the Tuscan hills.
Wine tasting at one of the Enotecas in Montalcino or Montepulciano (we offer some suggestions - your hosts can also advise).
Grading
Full days: 11-19 km per day, 3½-6 hrs walking Using shortening options: 9-14km per day, 3-4 hrs (using lifts) Getting up to the hilltop towns at the end of each day always makes it seem harder! Walking mainly on tracks, sometimes called 'white roads'. Highest point on route: 600m.
Medium: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 480m (170m-760m) per day. Easy-medium: CUSs 347m (170m - 510m) using shortening options
GPX file available for handheld GPS or smartphone App for complete route.
Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.
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When to go
The best months to walk: April, May, June, September, October
Other possible months: July, August, November
The variety of tracks in the beautiful Tuscan landscape give good walking at any time during our suggested season, but particularly in late spring with its wide open views. Early September can be dry but later and into October much greener after the post-summer rains and the approach of autumn colours.
Use the calendar below to see in more detail the best times to walk.
Please note: date ranges shown are for a 'normal' year. While Covid-19 restrictions remain, please contact us to discuss your plans and availability.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Siena
Arrive in Siena. If only an evening is allowed to you, we suggest a good wander, down to the Campo (where the famous annual Palio horse race is held, with attendant flag bearers and drummers) and the cathedral, envelop yourself in the magic of this historic town, and eat well in one of many possible restaurants.
Day 2 - Monte Oliveto to Buonconvento (Pieve a Salti)
Short taxi transfer included. After a look at the frescoes in the cloister at the Abbey (and more), a short but sharp start to your holiday takes you from the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore via (we suggest) lunch in one of Chiusure’s little restaurants, to your first taste of the Tuscan landscape and a little luxury at the hilltop country hotel of Pieve a Salti, with its views from the terrace and a plunge in the pool. (Easy-medium: 4 hrs, 11 km, CUSs 340m)
Day 3 - Buonconvento to Montalcino
A gentle amble along the wide ridge road until you strike south across the cornfields along old tracks up and down the Tuscan countryside, with splendid views on the way to your first real climb – 300m or so up to the citadel of Montalcino. (Medium-hard: 5½ hrs, 17 km, CUSs 760m, or take a taxi to start halfway easy-medium: 3 hrs, 9km, CUSs 510m)
Day 4 - Montalcino to Sant’ Antimo
The easy day. Almost entirely downhill, through the vineyards around Montalcino onto the plateau land above the Villa a Tolli before you light upon the lovely Cistercian Abbey of Sant’ Antimo in its valley setting, and maybe lunch before the bus home. (Easy: 3½ hrs, 11 km, CUSs 170m)
page 3/8 Day 5 - Montalcino to Bagno Vignoni
Drop down from Montalcino to the fertile farmland below, and further to the sleepy meadows of the Asso valley and its occasionally exciting river fording. Finally, a walk in along the Orcia valley to your next accommodation near the ancient baths at Vignoni. (Upgrade to a spa hotel adjacent to the baths, and perhaps stay an extra night to enjoy the spa all day - admission included in the upgrade price!) (Medium-hard: 6 hrs, 19 km, CUSs 520m, or medium: 4 hrs, 14km, CUSs 400m with lift)
Day 6 - Bagno Vignoni to Pienza
Start off up the hill to the delightful hamlet of Vignone, with its great view of Rocca d’Orcia on the other side of the Orcia valley, and then down to San Quirico, an unassuming yet attractive town with a fine medieval core – time for a coffee (or lunch if you start late!). Then a ramble across typical Tuscan rolling fields to the best hilltop town of them all, and a world heritage site – Pienza. (Medium: 4¼ hrs, 14 km, CUSs 610m or easy-medium: 3¼ hrs, 10km, CUSs 365m with lift).
Day 7 - Pienza to Montepulciano
For your last day, a walk across the pretty countryside east of Pienza to little Monticchiello, and perhaps a coffee stop. Afterwards, navigate through woodlands and up onto the ridge again for a great approach to Montepulciano via the extravagant temple of San Biagio, before climbing the infamous Montepulciano ramp to the cathedral square and your triumphant finale. (Medium: 4½ hrs, 14 km, CUSs 480m, or easy-medium 3 hrs, 9 km, CUSs 300m with lift)
Travel Information
ARRIVING BY AIR
The best ‘local’ airports are Pisa and Florence. Intercontinental flights use Rome. Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily.
Land by: 17:30 (Pisa or Florence) for public transport connections to Siena (15:30 if starting at Buonconvento or Montalcino)
Return flight earliest: 13:30 (Florence), 15:00 (Pisa). Earlier flights possible missing breakfast, alternatively overnight in Florence/Pisa.
Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.
For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.
See “Getting to the start of your walk” below for transfer information.
ARRIVING BY TRAIN
Nearest railway station: Start: Siena (unless starting in either Buonconvento or Montalcino, in which case Buonconvento) Finish: Chiusi-Chianciano Terme page 4/8 Sample journey by rail:
Via Rome: Rome to Florence, Florence to Siena ~3½ hrs
Chiusi-Chianciano Terme to Rome: ~2 hrs direct
We suggest thetrainline.com for times, ticket booking and other information.
ARRIVING BY CAR
Not ideal (unless your first night is in Montalcino), but best is to drive to Montalcino and park in a public car park there (supplement). Taxi to your first night and back at the end.
Getting to the start of the walk
The first hotel is in Siena, Buonconvento or Montalcino, and the last in Montepulciano. Transfer times and methods are suggested from Pisa airport below.
PISA AIRPORT
Outward: Two buses, change in Florence. Allow ~3½ hrs from touchdown in Pisa to arrival in Siena.
Return: Bus to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, then train from there via change in Florence to Pisa Centrale, change on to shuttle train to Pisa airport. Allow ~4hrs.
FLORENCE AIRPORT
Outward: Shuttle bus to centre, then bus to Siena ~2hrs
Return: Bus to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, then train to Florence and shuttle bus to airport ~3hrs
Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.
page 5/8 Where You'll Stay
This route offers a range of hotels. Our standard options include a little B&B in central Siena (sadly often full), a countryside restaurant with great views and excellent rooms, two typical authentic Italian ones, a little one at the edge of Pienza old town with fantastic views, and a quirky one in Montepulciano with rooftop terrace (in season). Upgrades can include smart international (Montalcino), a former monastery (Pienza) and ultra-smart boutique (Montepulciano). Take your pick! You might also like to consider Montalcino’s Dei Capitani (one of our alternative hotels) and its pool if booking for late June, July or early September.
Night 1 Siena – Al Mercato (B&B)
Welcoming B&B very near the Campo.
Night 2 Buonconvento – Pieve a Salti (dinner, B&B)
Restaurant with rooms (and pool) in a lovely position.
Night 3 & 4 Montalcino – Il Giglio (B&B)
Family run hotel with excellent restaurant.
page 6/8 Night 3 & 4(Upgrade) Montalcino – Vecchia Oliviera (B&B)
Tastefully decorated, cool and airy, just outside old town, with pool.
Night 5 Bagno Vignoni – Il Loggiato (B&B)
A romantic B&B near the historic baths.
Night 6 Pienza – Piccolo Hotel la Valle (B&B)
Gloriously positioned and comfortable hotel just outside the old town.
Night 6(Upgrade) Pienza – Il Chiostro (B&B)
Former Franciscan convent near the Cathedral, converted into slightly faded hotel with panoramic terrace. Choose a room with view over the Valle d'Orcia.
Night 7 Montepulciano – Meuble il Riccio (B&B)
Delightful B&B in the old town. Opportunity to upgrade to superior rooms.
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Staying in Rome We think we have one of the best and most reasonably priced places to stay in Rome – Roberta’s B&B Orologio. In a narrow street between the Piazza Navona and the Vatican, Roberta has been our Rome host for the last ten years and has never let us down. With her stylish charm and attention to detail she ensures that if you return to Rome you will stay there again. And has opened another B&B nearby just in case she is full!
Prices
Price: £900
Total 7 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, 1 evening meal, 1 picnic, taxi from Siena to start of walk, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.
Locally levied tourist taxes are not included.
All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.
Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £250 Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £190 Large Party Saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary, on the same booking and booked at the same time) – discount of at least £35 per person Maximum party size: 10
Add Ons
Additional nights or upgrade hotels: Contact On Foot Holidays for prices (vary with season) Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK: £10-£40 (per pack, location dependent)
On Foot Holidays Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Griffin House, Malthouse Lane, Email: [email protected] Salisbury, SP2 7RF, United Kingdom
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