Via Francigena in Tuscany: stages, map, itinerary and things to see

The Via Francigena is not one Roman road preserved unchanged. It is a network used by pilgrims, merchants and travellers coming from the lands of the Franks and heading for Rome. In 990, Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury recorded the stopping places on his return from Rome; his list helped reconstruct the historic route.

The Council of Europe certified it as a Cultural Route in 1994. Today it supports spiritual, cultural and outdoor journeys through several European countries.

The best-known historic axis connects Canterbury and Rome through England, France, Switzerland and Italy. The cultural route continues into southern Italy towards Santa Maria di Leuca. In Tuscany it enters at Passo della Cisa; after Radicofani it descends to Ponte a Rigo, crosses into Lazio and reaches Acquapendente.

The landscapes change repeatedly: wooded Apennines and Lunigiana, Apuan foothills, Pietrasanta and Lucca, Val d’Elsa hill towns, Siena, the Crete Senesi and Val d’Orcia. Visit Tuscany currently lists 394 km and 16 stages. Older sources may quote 380 or 400 km and 15 stages because they use different versions or stage boundaries.

Distance, duration and grade are from the official Visit Tuscany itinerary, checked 4 August 2026. Times exclude breaks. Stage 16 crosses into Lazio and ends in Acquapendente.

• San Miniato–Gambassi: open Val d’Elsa ridges; beautiful but exposed.
• Gambassi–San Gimignano: short, approachable and visually rewarding.
• San Gimignano–Monteriggioni: exceptionally varied, but 31 km long.
• Monteriggioni–Siena: a historic arrival through Porta Camollia.
• Ponte d’Arbia–San Quirico: Buonconvento and Val d’Orcia.
• San Quirico–Radicofani: the grandest scenery and one of the hardest days.

San Miniato works well as a rail-accessible starting point. Its 23.7 km stage to Gambassi crosses exposed rural ridges past Coiano and the parish church at Chianni. Carry enough water and do not rely on frequent cafés.

Gambassi to San Gimignano is 13.3 km and about three hours on the official schedule, passing Pancole and Cellole before the final climb towards the towers. It is an excellent first stage if your return transport is arranged. The next day to Monteriggioni is a serious 31 km walk taking about 7 hours 30.

The 20.6 km stage from Monteriggioni reaches Siena through Porta Camollia. Santa Maria della Scala, once central to pilgrim care, Piazza del Campo and the Cathedral deserve extra time. An overnight stay is more realistic than rushing on immediately.

After Ponte d’Arbia the route passes Buonconvento and Torrenieri to San Quirico d’Orcia. The next stage visits Vignoni and Bagno Vignoni before long, exposed terrain towards Radicofani. Visit Tuscany also describes an official variant through Abbadia San Salvatore; download its current track before choosing it.

• Train for consecutive days with your loaded pack.
• Split stages over 28–30 km unless you already have endurance experience.
• Use broken-in footwear and technical socks.
• Carry roughly 1.5–2 litres of water, more on exposed stages.
• Keep the route and alerts offline and carry a power bank.
• Start early in summer and never force a swollen ford after heavy rain.

The official association describes average stages of 22–23 km and suggests a minimal 35–45 litre backpack, generally kept around 7–8 kg and adjusted to the walker.

Use the official cycling route; the footpath includes sections that are too steep, narrow or technical. A gravel bike with low gears is versatile. E-bikes require a realistic charging plan.

• Check surface, ascent and current criticalities.
• Carry puncture repair, pump, multitool, lights and a lock.
• Book secure bicycle storage.
• On Tuscan Regional trains, check the bicycle pictogram and current fare; spaces are limited.

A road trip visits the Via Francigena towns but never follows the walking track. Use public roads and park outside ZTL zones.

One day

San Miniato → Gambassi Terme → San Gimignano, with most of the day reserved for San Gimignano.

Two days

Day 1: San Miniato, Gambassi and San Gimignano. Day 2: Monteriggioni and Siena.

Three days

Add Buonconvento, San Quirico d’Orcia, Bagno Vignoni and Radicofani, ideally with a night in Val d’Orcia.

The official association generally recommends May–June and September–October.

Options include pilgrim hostels, religious accommodation, B&Bs, agriturismi, hotels and holiday rentals. Pilgrim accommodation may require a credential, reservation or donation and does not always provide private rooms. Confirm check-in, dinner, early breakfast, laundry and bike storage.

The credential is the official pilgrim passport for walkers and cyclists. Collect stamps at tourist offices, parishes, accommodation and participating businesses. The European Association gives a recommended contribution of €8; order online or use an official distribution point.

To receive the religious Testimonium in Rome, the credential must show at least the final 100 km walked or 200 km cycled. Recheck collection points, requirements and opening times before travel.

These are planning ranges, not official prices. Season, location, supplements and availability may change them substantially.

Look for testaroli and chestnut dishes in Lunigiana; soups and farro around Lucca; white truffle in San Miniato in season; pici, pecorino and Tuscan soups near Siena and Val d’Orcia. Buy food before isolated stages.

Wine areas include Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, Chianti, Orcia DOC and nearby Brunello di Montalcino. Plan tastings for rest days or road trips with a non-drinking driver.

Children

Choose a short section near a town with shade, water and an exit plan; long official stages are unsuitable for untrained children.

Dogs

Plan water, heat protection and pet-friendly accommodation. Use a lead near roads, livestock, wildlife and farms; guardian dogs may be present.

Accessibility

The full trail is not step-free: dirt tracks, gradients, rough surfaces and fords create barriers. Visit Tuscany provides an accessibility sheet for Gambassi–San Gimignano. A road itinerary between stage towns is often more practical for reduced mobility.

Private luggage companies normally collect in the morning and deliver to the next booked property. Confirm coverage, weight, insurance and excluded places. Keep documents, medication, waterproofs and valuables with you.

Coastal towns, Lucca, Altopascio, San Miniato and Siena have rail access or nearby stations. Gambassi, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, San Quirico and Radicofani often require buses and connections. Check Sunday timetables and allow a generous buffer.

• Credential, ID, health/insurance documents and some cash.
• Phone with offline track, cable and power bank.
• Water, snacks and lunch for remote stages.
• Broken-in shoes, technical socks and blister kit.
• Layered clothing, sun hat, sunscreen and waterproof.
• Personal medication and compact first-aid kit.
• Headtorch, whistle and pack cover.

1. Using an old track without checking alerts.
2. Confusing walking, cycling and driving routes.
3. Making a 30 km stage your first loaded hike.
4. Starting late in summer.
5. Assuming every fountain or café is open.
6. Wearing new footwear.
7. Booking the last bus at your theoretical finish time.
8. Ignoring storms, mud and stream conditions.
9. Wine tasting before walking or driving.
10. Putting medication in transferred luggage.
11. Driving into ZTL zones.
12. Assuming a credential guarantees a bed.

• Apennine descent towards Pontremoli.
• Apuan Alps and coast near Pietrasanta.
• Lucca walls.
• Ridges between San Miniato and Gambassi.
• Approach to San Gimignano’s towers.
• Monteriggioni walls.
• Porta Camollia arrival in Siena.
• Crete Senesi and Grancia di Cuna.
• Bagno Vignoni and Val d’Orcia.
• Radicofani fortress.

Stay on public paths and safe viewpoints; never enter private fields for a photograph.

Build a realistic itinerary around the Francigena without packing several distant towns into one day.

There is no single correct Via Francigena trip. Sixteen continuous stages, a weekend walk, a cycling section and a three-day road trip reveal different parts of the route. Match the plan to fitness, season and transport rather than treating the towns as a checklist.

Perla Toscana can be a transparent base for driving to San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, Siena and central Tuscany; continuous walkers should stay in the actual stage towns.