Stroll
Via Francigena Camino Italy: Siena to Montefiascone - 10 Days
Camino de SantiagoVia Francigena

Via Francigena Camino Italy: Siena to Montefiascone - 10 Days

10 Days
Moderate

Via Francigena Camino Italy: Siena to Montefiascone - 10 Days

from £1,170 / person

Overview

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.

Highlights

  • Discover the medieval city of Siena, with its Piazza del Campo.
  • Experience spectacular landscapes and the picturesque rolling hills of the Crete Senesi.
  • Explore the hilltop villages of Castiglione d'Orcia and San Quirico d'Orcia.
  • Visit Radicofani with its imposing fortress.
  • Savor delicious Tuscan culinary specialties.
  • Admire breathtaking views of Bolsena Lake.
  • Taste the delicious Est! Est! Est! wine from Montefiascone.

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What's Included

Accommodation

3-star Hotel (9 nights)

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers

Meals

9 breakfasts, and 1 dinners

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

3

Stroll Walking Grade

Moderate

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Expect some hills and longer walking days. A reasonable level of fitness will help you enjoy the experience.

View Fitness Guide

8

Days on the trail

10-25 km

Average per walking day

77-631 m

Gain per day

2/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

During this tour, you will stay in a combination of small, family-run boutique B&Bs and three-star hotels in the larger towns, each chosen for its location, facilities and history. The route moves through Tuscany and into Lazio, and the properties along the way sit naturally within the landscapes you are passing through. All are well used to receiving walkers. Where any property is unavailable, an alternative of equivalent standard will always be provided in its place.

What You'll Eat

Eating well on this route requires very little effort. Nine breakfasts are included throughout the trip, along with dinner on the sixth day in Radicofani. For lunch, cafes and traditional food stores are a regular feature along the route, making it easy to eat well on the go. Come evening, your hosts will provide a list of dinner recommendations so you can find your own way to the table.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source along the way.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in Siena and finishes in Montefiascone, in central Italy. The two most convenient airports are Florence (FLR) and Pisa (PSA), both with international connections across Europe. From Florence Airport, a bus connects to Florence Santa Maria Novella station, from where trains reach Siena in around 1 hour to 2 hours. A direct bus from Florence to Siena is a faster option, taking around 1 hour 15 minutes. From Pisa Airport, trains reach Siena in around 1 hour 45 minutes, with one change at Empoli. Book Italian rail tickets in advance through Trenitalia.

The walk ends in Montefiascone. The most practical departure option is the local train from either Montefiascone or Viterbo stations, with onward connections to Rome and beyond. As with all rail travel in Italy, remember to stamp your ticket at the platform machine before boarding. Inspectors treat an unstamped ticket as unpaid travel, regardless of whether you have paid.

This walk is available from 1 April to 31 October, with no fixed start days. Spring brings mild temperatures, wildflowers and the Tuscan landscape at its most beautiful. July and August can be intense, with afternoon temperatures well into the 30s on exposed stretches, so early starts are essential. September and October are many walkers' favourite months, with cooler conditions, quieter paths and the wine harvest adding colour to the countryside. Pack a light waterproof for spring showers and sun protection for the summer stages.

This walk is graded moderate. The route follows varied terrain through the Tuscan and Lazio countryside, and good walking boots with reliable ankle support are recommended throughout. A regular walking routine of three to four times per week in the months before departure is advisable preparation. Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

Travel insurance is required for all Stroll walking holidays, covering cancellation costs, loss of luggage and injury. For international trips, your policy must also include medical evacuation coverage. A cancellation fee applies if you cancel after your holiday has been confirmed.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

Luggage transfer is included in your package and is sometimes also provided by the accommodation itself.
Please clearly mark all your belongings with your name and put a small note with the name of the next accommodation in order to indicate where the bags should go next (check your accommodation list). Also ask the accommodation owner where the bags should be left in the morning. Labelling your belongings prevents mix ups, delays and loss.

VERY IMPORTANT: only 1 piece of luggage for each person is allowed to be transported; if you have more than 1 piece of luggage, please mention it as you make the booking because there is a supplement to pay.
Maximum weight for the luggage is 20 kilos and maximum size is 65 x 50 x 40 cm (if your luggage exceeds a lot these sizes, please inform us upon the booking since there is a supplement to pay.
Luggage must be ready at the reception or store room by 8:30 hrs and luggage is guaranteed to be delivered to the next accommodation by 16:00 hrs.
If you are unable to walk, you can always ask if the luggage transporter can take you with him when transporting your baggage, but this is not always possible and sometimes you have to pay a small fee locally. In some countries there are special insurances for transporting peoples and sometimes the car is not suited for transporting persons.
When you travel with public transport you always take your luggage with you unless specified differently.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

July 2026

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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Via Francigena reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

The Via Francigena is one of Europe's great ancient pilgrimage routes, stretching from Canterbury in England to Rome. Stroll offers several sections of this historic walk, ranging from alpine stages through Switzerland and northern Italy to the rolling hills of Tuscany, and the final 100km into Rome through the ancient Etruscan countryside. Each section is distinct in character — the alpine itineraries involve mountain passes and valley descents, while the Tuscan and Roman sections move through cypress-lined roads, medieval hilltop towns, and open farmland.

Your main luggage is transported between accommodations each day, so you only carry a daypack on the walk. One bag per person is included, with a maximum weight of 20kg and maximum dimensions of 65 x 50 x 40cm. Bags should be clearly labelled with your name and the name of your next accommodation, and left at reception by 8:30–9:00 AM. They'll be delivered to your next property by 4:00 PM. Do not pack valuables in your transferred luggage — the transfer service cannot be held responsible for the contents. Carry cash, cards, medication, and important documents in your daypack at all times. On some days (notably Day 2 of the Lucca to Siena itinerary), you'll need to take your luggage with you on a train transfer — your walk notes will flag when this applies.

A comfortable daypack is essential. Key items include well-worn waterproof walking boots (never use new footwear on this walk), a rain jacket or poncho, warm layer, sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, at least 1.5 litres of water, snacks and lunch supplies, a personal first aid kit including blister treatment and painkillers, your identification and insurance details, and cash. Walking poles are strongly recommended — two poles are ideal and make a real difference on both ascents and long descents, protecting your joints and improving balance on uneven terrain.

The Via Francigena passes through countless churches, abbeys, and sacred sites that are central to the pilgrimage tradition. Dress modestly — covered shoulders and knees are generally expected when entering religious buildings. Speak quietly, be respectful of any services in progress, and follow any posted guidelines about photography.

Tipping is not obligatory in Italy or Switzerland, but a small gesture is always appreciated for good service — rounding up a restaurant bill or leaving a few Euros is perfectly appropriate. There are no fixed expectations.

The Via Francigena passes through communities with a strong sense of local identity and pride. Support local businesses where you can — eat at family-run restaurants, buy from local shops, and engage respectfully with the people you meet along the way. The route has been walked by pilgrims for over a thousand years, and many of the communities along it are deeply connected to that tradition. A respectful and curious approach goes a long way.

Flag any allergies or dietary needs at the time of booking and remind your hosts again at check-in. The route passes through areas with deeply traditional cuisine where complex dietary requirements can be harder to accommodate. If your needs are specific, bring supplementary snacks from home. Most towns along the route have food shops and supermarkets where you can pick up supplies, and your hosts will always have restaurant recommendations for evenings when dinner isn't included.

Very much so, particularly if your walk ends in Rome. Arriving in the Eternal City after days or weeks on the road is a remarkable experience, and a few extra days to explore properly is highly recommended. Stroll can arrange additional nights in Rome, Siena, Montefiascone, or other end points depending on your itinerary.

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The Via Francigena Experience

Wonder
Follow Archbishop Sigeric’s ancient pilgrimage through Val d’Elsa hilltop villages
See Lucca’s Volto Santo, then wander to San Gimignano’s medieval towers
Arrive in Rome via Monte Mario Belvedere and Piazza San Pietro
Wellness
Moderate graded trails through Val d’Elsa vineyards, olive fields and forest
Revive weary legs with a dip beneath Monte Gelato waterfalls
Family-run boutique B&Bs, generous breakfasts and Tuscan culinary specialities nightly
Nature
Volcanic ridgelines above Bolsena Lake and the plain below the Cimini Mountains
Streamside paths, shaded forests and serene country trails towards Rome
Etruscan thermal pools at Caldane and wooded Renai Forest approaches