Via Francigena from Siena to Bolsena

The exit from Siena is not what one would expect, except for a small crossing of the industrial area, which has little effect on the beauty of this stage.

The entire first part of the route is characterized by a view of the Siena countryside, which accompanies the entire Strada della Certosa.

You follow the path of the railway, but after passing Isola d’Arbia and Grancia di Cuna you go up towards the hills that line the valley, with a view of land almost always cultivated with wheat that accompanies you along the way.

After the descent to Quinciano, you will find the crossroads that leads to a few meters from Lucignano d’Arbia.

A shorter stage, which takes 4/5 hours to walk, which leads into the Val d’Orcia.

Here the breathtaking landscapes typical of the Val d’Orcia begin, starting with a long straight road in the countryside that runs alongside the railway, which then leads to Ponte d’Arbia.

The crossing of the Arbia river on the new Ponte del Pellegrino, and then the route continues climbing the hills, with rows of cypresses and enchanting paths.

The arrival in Buonconvento is characteristic, you pass in front of the small cemetery and crossing the Via Cassia you will find yourself in front of the ancient walls of the town.

A medieval historic center that develops around the Church of San Pietro e Paolo, and its 7 towers.

Buonconvento is an excellent starting point for those who want to start walking the Via Francigena in the Val d’Orcia, with the train station right in front of the entrance to the historic center.

After a small part of the path that runs along the side streets of the Via Cassia just outside Buonconvento, cross the Via Cassia and start walking next to the vineyards of the production of the famous Montalcino wine.

Throughout the stage you can see Montalcino at the top of the hill, on the right, which accompanies with its gaze the important vineyards that produce good wine and where you can stop and taste both wine and Tuscan delicacies.
After passing through the small village of Torrinieri, you walk along some asphalted but little traffic paths that lead to San Quirico d’Orcia, one of the pearls of the Val d’Orcia.

Are you ready to leave for one of the most famous stages, with one of the most strenuous arrivals of the Via Francigena?
This stage is not only over 32km long, but has an elevation gain of 950m!

After a first part of the stage during which you descend towards Bagno Vignoni, where the ancient Roman baths are located, you cross the Orcia river and begin a first climb towards Castiglion d’Orcia, from where you should not continue without visiting the Rocca di Castiglione, where you can climb to enjoy the view over the valley.

From Castiglione it goes down to Gallina and Bagni San Filippo, with its Roman baths with free admission.

We need to recover our strength well here, as the final kilometers that lead to Radicofani begin, all uphill.

Once in Radicofani only with a lot of willpower, you can decide to go to the top to visit the Fortress, with its view over the valley.

A downhill stage, surely it should be defined in a few words.

It starts from 780 meters high in Radicofani and arrives in Acquapendente with a continuous descent up to 2 km from the arrival, where the climb to Acquapendente has a difference in height of just over 100 meters.

A long stage, with a big initial descent with a rapt gaze from the valley where Tuscany gives way to Lazio.

Once in Ponte a Rigo, a flat stretch begins on the Tuscan and Lazio countryside, also crossing the ghost town of Centeno.

Proceno is not located right on the path of the Via Francigena, but 4 km before the arrival in Acquapendente and you can, with a small detour, go through the Porta del Pellegrino.

Acquapendente, the first town in Lazio, with a delightful historic center awaits the arrival of walkers with all the comforts.

The first step of the Via Francigena in Lazio begins with Lake Bolsena.
After a first stretch of walking in the Lazio countryside, with fields of wheat and sunflowers, you arrive at San Lorenzo Nuovo.

Here you have the opportunity to make a small stop and relax on a terrace overlooking the lake of Bolsena.

It is only the first glimpse along the descent from San Lorenzo Nuovo towards the lake, and many others will follow.

You walk along paths in the woods and hills overlooking the lakefront.
The arrival in Bolsena points directly to the Castle, next to which you descend to access through the Porta Fiorentina to the historic center within the walls.

Definitely not to be missed are the Church of San Francesco, the Collegiata, and the Catacombs of Santa Cristina.