Via Francigena: Massa - Siena
This section of the Via, pass though the best Tuscany area as the Garfagnana and the Chianti. The highlight is made by the wild forest of the Garfagnana at the bottom of the Apuan Alps and the hilly countryside of the Chianti region around Siena, considered internationally one of the most amazing landscape of the world. Following the history discovering ancient archeological site, small medieval villages as Lucca, S. Gimignano and Monteriggioni, and appreciating the local wine. The vineyards compose the Chianti region and all the local economy is devoted to the wine production.
Highlights:
- Lucca, S. Gimignano, Monteriggioni and Siena and their historical and artistic heritage
- The wild limestone range of Apuan Alps
- The excellent local wine
Highlights:
- Lucca, S. Gimignano, Monteriggioni and Siena and their historical and artistic heritage
- The wild limestone range of Apuan Alps
- The excellent local wine
Day 1: From Michelangelo to Botero, the most important sculptors ever came here to create from the "perfect marble". Overnight stay in Massa.
Day 2: Massa - Camaiore (7 hours hiking, +300mt -310mt, 23 km)
Private transfer to Capanne. Walking at the bottom of the incredible Apuan Alps, a mountain excavated since the Romans for the excellent marble. The Mediterranean coast of Versilia is very close to your walk. Overnight stay in Camaiore.
Day 3: Camaiore - Lucca (7 hours hiking, +490mt -515mt, 26 km)
Passing between vineyards and gardens, small villages and churches built during the XII century, you reach one of the most beautiful Italian towns of art: Lucca. The medieval walls surround the town completely and are perfectly conserved. Overnight stay in Lucca.
Day 4: Altopascio – San Miniato (7 hours hiking, +250mt -130mt, 29 km)
Train to Altopascio. Today you will follow a lovely trail through woodlands and farmlands with some ups and downs. Along the banks of the Usciana canal, you can cross the ancient swamp that has been drained and go up to the lovely town of Fucecchio. After crossing the Arno, you will come to San Miniato, the once powerful medieval town, today also famous for its white truffles. Overnight stay in Altopascio.
Day 5: San Miniato – Gambassi Terme (6 hours hiking, +400mt -250mt, 24 km)
Joining the vineyards region you reach the amazing church of "Pieve di Coiano" located in Gambassi Terme, an ancient thermal place, used by the pilgrims to rest during their long journey. Overnight stay in Gambassi Terme.
Day 6: Gambassi Terme – San Gimignano (4 hours hiking, +490mt -475mt, 14 km)
You leave Gambassi, and you immerse yourself in a serene and silent atmosphere, the hills of San Gimignano. Heritage of Unesco, the city of San Gimignano retains its medieval architecture. In the afternoon,
you will have time to visit the city and admire the spectacular view from the top of its towers. Dinner and overnight in San Gimignano.
Day 7: San Gimignano – Monteriggioni (9 hours hiking, +495mt -565mt, 32 km)
Long hike from San Gimignano to Monteriggioni, one of the most beautiful of the Via Francigena in Tuscany. You follow trails that go up and down through the valley of the Foci River. Near Molino d'Aiano, you cross the river and start a climb to the church of Santa Maria a Coneo. You cross the bridge over Elsa and discover the Church of San Martino in Strove shortly before reaching Monteriggioni, including the 14 famous towers that dominate the hill. Overnight stay near Monteriggioni.
Day 8: Monteriggioni - Siena (5 hours hiking, +350mt -275mt, 21 km)
From Monteriggioni, through a route in the countryside, you arrive in Siena. The city is a tangle of alleys that go up and down to arrive at the magnificent Duomo decorated with white and green marble, the baptistery and the fascinating Piazza del Campo. End of the tour. In Siena you can book an extra night in hotel (option) or continue walking on the next part of Via Francigena.
Day 2: Massa - Camaiore (7 hours hiking, +300mt -310mt, 23 km)
Private transfer to Capanne. Walking at the bottom of the incredible Apuan Alps, a mountain excavated since the Romans for the excellent marble. The Mediterranean coast of Versilia is very close to your walk. Overnight stay in Camaiore.
Day 3: Camaiore - Lucca (7 hours hiking, +490mt -515mt, 26 km)
Passing between vineyards and gardens, small villages and churches built during the XII century, you reach one of the most beautiful Italian towns of art: Lucca. The medieval walls surround the town completely and are perfectly conserved. Overnight stay in Lucca.
Day 4: Altopascio – San Miniato (7 hours hiking, +250mt -130mt, 29 km)
Train to Altopascio. Today you will follow a lovely trail through woodlands and farmlands with some ups and downs. Along the banks of the Usciana canal, you can cross the ancient swamp that has been drained and go up to the lovely town of Fucecchio. After crossing the Arno, you will come to San Miniato, the once powerful medieval town, today also famous for its white truffles. Overnight stay in Altopascio.
Day 5: San Miniato – Gambassi Terme (6 hours hiking, +400mt -250mt, 24 km)
Joining the vineyards region you reach the amazing church of "Pieve di Coiano" located in Gambassi Terme, an ancient thermal place, used by the pilgrims to rest during their long journey. Overnight stay in Gambassi Terme.
Day 6: Gambassi Terme – San Gimignano (4 hours hiking, +490mt -475mt, 14 km)
You leave Gambassi, and you immerse yourself in a serene and silent atmosphere, the hills of San Gimignano. Heritage of Unesco, the city of San Gimignano retains its medieval architecture. In the afternoon,
you will have time to visit the city and admire the spectacular view from the top of its towers. Dinner and overnight in San Gimignano.
Day 7: San Gimignano – Monteriggioni (9 hours hiking, +495mt -565mt, 32 km)
Long hike from San Gimignano to Monteriggioni, one of the most beautiful of the Via Francigena in Tuscany. You follow trails that go up and down through the valley of the Foci River. Near Molino d'Aiano, you cross the river and start a climb to the church of Santa Maria a Coneo. You cross the bridge over Elsa and discover the Church of San Martino in Strove shortly before reaching Monteriggioni, including the 14 famous towers that dominate the hill. Overnight stay near Monteriggioni.
Day 8: Monteriggioni - Siena (5 hours hiking, +350mt -275mt, 21 km)
From Monteriggioni, through a route in the countryside, you arrive in Siena. The city is a tangle of alleys that go up and down to arrive at the magnificent Duomo decorated with white and green marble, the baptistery and the fascinating Piazza del Campo. End of the tour. In Siena you can book an extra night in hotel (option) or continue walking on the next part of Via Francigena.
Skill level: medium, 3,30 to 7,00 hours walking each day, well-marked large and paved paths. A prior hiking experience is recommended.
Accommodation: 7 nights in hotel*** or charming B&B , based on twin/triple room with private facilities
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 8
- Dinners included as described in the program
- 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 picnic lunch)
- Dinners not included
- Transfer to the first accommodation in Massa on day 1
- Transfer from Siena to airport or station day 8
- Tourist taxes (about 2€ per day per person)
Accommodation: 7 nights in hotel*** or charming B&B , based on twin/triple room with private facilities
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 8
- Dinners included as described in the program
- 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 picnic lunch)
- Dinners not included
- Transfer to the first accommodation in Massa on day 1
- Transfer from Siena to airport or station day 8
- Tourist taxes (about 2€ per day per person)
Trips Note
Destination: Tuscany
Travel Style: Self-guided walking holiday
Interest: Pilgrim route and local gastronomy
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: Apr May Jun Jul Aou Sep Oct
Group size: from 1 person
Airport: Florence and Pisa
