Via Francigena Camino Italy: Siena to Montefiascone - 10 Days

This 10-day walk covers the southern section of the Via Francigena, an ancient route that once connected Canterbury to Rome and served for centuries as one of Europe's great thoroughfares, travelled by sovereigns and ordinary people alike. The journey begins in Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for its Piazza del Campo and magnificent Duomo, following a path reconstructed from the records of Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury, who walked the route in 994.

The walk from Siena to Montefiascone moves through the heart of the Tuscan countryside, where rolling hills, cypress-lined roads and the otherworldly landscapes of the Crete Senesi define the early stages. Beautifully preserved hilltop villages appear throughout, including Montalcino, San Quirico d'Orcia with its celebrated Italian gardens, and the hamlet of Vignoni Alto. Daily stages range from 9 to 31 kilometres, passing through cultivated meadows, medieval villages and fortified towns such as Lucignano d'Arbia and Buonconvento.

The landmarks along the way are among the finest on any walking route in Italy. The fortress at Radicofani, the thermal waters of Bagno Vignoni, sweeping views of Lake Bolsena and the Fortress of the Popes in Montefiascone each mark the journey in their own right, building to a conclusion as historically rich as the starting point.