the route
This is a moderately challenging walk that is suitable for experienced walkers with a good general level of physical fitness. Through the extensive network of paths in the area, which largely follow the tracks of the Via Francigena, one of Europe's most important 'highways' in the Middle Ages, you will walk from village to village, a full immersion in the world-famous Tuscan countryside, until you arrive at the shores of Lake Bolsena, in the Etruscan heartland.
Itinerary
Your journey begins in Siena, one of Italy’s great medieval cities. After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore. The historic centre is wonderfully atmospheric, with narrow streets leading towards the famous shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. You may also want to visit Siena Cathedral, whose striped marble façade and richly decorated interior make it one of the city's highlights.
Find a good restaurant, enjoy your first taste of Tuscan cuisine and get ready to begin your walk along the Via Francigena tomorrow.
Hotel (example): Hotel Chiusarelli
You leave Siena on foot and soon exchange the streets of the city for the open countryside of the Val d’Arbia. Much of today's route follows Tuscany's characteristic strade bianche – quiet, unpaved country roads winding through fields and gentle hills. The landscape opens up as you travel south, and along the way you pass Grancia di Cuna, an impressive fortified complex that once played an important role in storing grain for the Republic of Siena.
You continue through the countryside around Monteroni d’Arbia before reaching Lucignano d’Arbia, a small fortified village where today's walk comes to an end.
Hotel (example): Hotel Borgo Antico
Your journey south continues through the rolling Tuscan countryside. The first part of the walk takes you to Ponte d’Arbia, before you continue towards the historic town of Buonconvento.
Buonconvento is a lovely place for a break. Enter through the old town walls, wander through the narrow streets or simply find a café before setting off again.
Beyond the town, the landscape gradually changes as you approach the hills surrounding Montalcino. Vineyards become an increasingly prominent part of the scenery – hardly surprising, as you are now walking through the home of Brunello di Montalcino, one of Tuscany's most celebrated wines.
You leave the main Via Francigena and climb towards Montalcino, dramatically positioned above the surrounding countryside. Once you arrive, there is time to explore the old town, visit the fortress or simply enjoy the views – preferably with something local in your glass.
Hotel (exampel): Hotel Dei Captiani
Today you enter the Val d’Orcia, one of Tuscany's most recognisable landscapes. Vineyards, cultivated fields, wooded hills and rows of cypress trees accompany you as you follow quiet tracks and strade bianche through the countryside.
Your destination is San Quirico d’Orcia, an attractive medieval town and an important stop on the Via Francigena. Its historic centre is ideal for an afternoon stroll, and the Renaissance gardens of Horti Leonini are well worth visiting. Depending on the selected route, there is also the possibility of extending today's walk and experiencing more of the Val d’Orcia countryside.
Hotel (example):
Leaving San Quirico, you continue through the beautiful Val d’Orcia towards one of the most unusual villages on the journey: Bagno Vignoni.
For centuries, travellers have come here for the thermal waters. Instead of a conventional piazza, the centre of the village is dominated by a large historic pool filled with thermal water. On cooler mornings, steam rising from the water gives the little village an almost magical atmosphere.
After exploring Bagno Vignoni, you continue through the valley and across the Orcia River. The route then climbs towards Castiglione d’Orcia, where you spend the night surrounded by the hills of southern Tuscany.
Hotel (example): Podere Perelli
A longer stage awaits you today as you leave the central Val d’Orcia behind and continue south towards Radicofani.
The route descends towards the Orcia River before climbing back into the hills. You pass through a landscape that feels increasingly remote, with long stretches of open countryside and wide views towards Monte Amiata, the extinct volcano that dominates this part of southern Tuscany.
Along the way, you encounter reminders of the Via Francigena's long history as a pilgrimage route, including traces of medieval facilities that once offered shelter to travellers using the ancient road towards Rome.
Radicofani appears ahead long before you reach it, sitting high above the surrounding landscape. The final climb is demanding, but the views make a fitting reward. Once you arrive, take some time to explore the historic centre and, if your legs agree, the impressive fortress overlooking the town.
Hotel (example): La casa del Calzolaio
Today you say goodbye to Tuscany and cross into Lazio, bringing you another step closer to Rome. Before leaving Radicofani, you may want to visit the fortress if you did not have time yesterday. From the town's lofty position, the route then begins with a long descent through open countryside. For much of the morning, you can simply enjoy the expansive views, with Monte Amiata remaining visible behind you.
After reaching the Paglia Valley, the terrain becomes gentler for a while. You cross the Via Cassia and continue through peaceful countryside towards Proceno, a small medieval village overlooking the surrounding hills.
Proceno makes an excellent place to pause before continuing on the final part of today's walk. From here, you descend through the valley before making your way towards Acquapendente.
You spend the night in Acquapendente, an important Via Francigena town and traditionally regarded as a gateway to the Lazio section of the pilgrimage route.
Your final walking day begins in Acquapendente. Before setting off, it is worth taking a little time to explore the historic centre and the Basilica del Santo Sepolcro, an important landmark for pilgrims travelling towards Rome.
Leaving town, you return to the countryside and follow the Via Francigena south through a landscape of farmland and gentle hills. Around the middle of the stage, you reach San Lorenzo Nuovo, dramatically positioned above the surrounding countryside. From here comes one of the memorable moments of the journey: your first view across Lake Bolsena.
The final kilometres take you through woodland and fields as you gradually descend towards the lake. Your destination is Bolsena, an attractive town combining a medieval historic centre with a relaxed lakeside atmosphere.
After seven days on foot from Siena, there are few better places to finish. Find a spot beside the lake, take off your walking boots and enjoy the evening – you've earned it.
Hotel (example): Hotel Royal
After breakfast, it is time to check out and begin your journey home.
If you are not quite ready to leave Italy, you can extend your stay in Bolsena or continue exploring the region. And for those with Rome firmly in their sights, the Via Francigena continues south from here towards Montefiascone, Viterbo and eventually the Eternal City.
Photos from this trip
Prices and dates
The price includes
ACCOMMODATION
- 8 nights in 3-star hotels
FOOD & DRINKS
- Breakfast every day
HIKING
- 7 days of hiking (approx. 150 km in total)
- Detailed descriptions of the carefully selected routes (route maps, route descriptions, information about relevant tourist attractions and important phone numbers – in English)
- Credenziale (pilgrim passport)
- Access to the route in our GPS app, which also works offline (one access per person)
- Option to receive GPX files for use in your own GPS
TRANSPORT
- Luggage transfer between the hotels
OTHER
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
GENERAL
- Transport to/from Italy
- Travel insurance
- Handling fee (€25)
REQUIRED AND PAID LOCALLY
- Any tourist taxes at the hotels
Use the button "Calculate price" on this page to see what the tour will cost with your wanted inclusions.
PARKING
It is possible to park at the first hotel or nearby. Parking cannot be reserved in advance and must be arranged directly with the hotel (expect a cost of approximately €10–20 per day).
Practical information
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill out any forms. Here’s how:
- Click on the "Calculate Price" button (you’ll find it in the "Dates and Prices" section) – this will take you to the first pages of the booking form
- Select your preferred date, number of people, room distribution, any extra nights, and any available add-ons you may want
- See the price
Get a quote
If you would like a flight included, or changes made to the trip, you can request a customized offer by clicking the "Get Quote" button at the top of the page. Remember to describe in detail what changes you would like.
The booking process
When you book the trip, we will begin booking hotels and arranging all the practical aspects of your tour. This process typically takes 5–8 working days, but in some cases it may take longer for certain bookings. If you arrange your own transportation, we recommend waiting until we have confirmed your booking before making any arrangements.
Dates
If you can select a date in the trip calendar (in the booking form), then this is a possible start date. We regularly update our trips with sold-out dates; these dates will then appear in red/grey and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Pisa or Florence are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
Get a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.
On this trip, you will stay in 3-star hotels where breakfast is included.
When booking, you can choose whether you want accommodation in a double room or a single room. Please note that if you are traveling alone, it is necessary to choose a single room.
Breakfast is included every day. It is easy to find both lunch and dinner in the towns along the route.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
This trip has difficulty level 2-3, which means that most hiking days are level 2, with a few at level 3.
Grade 2
Easier hikes on reasonably good trails. Daily hikes will last 4-6 hours in hilly terrain. Anyone in generally good physical condition can participate. Luggage is transported, and you only carry a light daypack. Requires well-fitting footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Grade 3
Hiking in mountainous terrain with longer ascents and descents. You will hike 5-7 hours a day. Requires generally good fitness and health, but no special technical skills or prior experience. Requires good shoes, such as trekking or mountain boots.
Read more about our grading system here.
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
Here is no text
When you book a trip with us, we plant a tree in Kenya.
Bering Travel partners with Growing Trees Network, which has been planting trees in Kenya since 2020 in collaboration with Seniorer uden Grænser (Seniors Without Borders). The trees are planted with small-scale local farmers in the Mount Kenya region, as well as at schools, where the fruit helps supplement students’ diets and is incorporated into their learning.
The trees are planted using the shamba method – a sustainable approach that combines reforestation with agricultural crops. This keeps the soil covered with vegetation throughout the year, helping to prevent nutrient loss and reduce erosion.
The contribution to tree planting comes directly from Bering Travel’s own earnings and is not added to the price of your trip.
This initiative is not intended as a carbon offset for travel, but as a way to make a positive contribution.
"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"
