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Day 1: Arrival in San Miniato
The railway station is in S. Miniato Basso, but if you let us know your arrival time we can send you someone to pick you up. Anna the owner of the b&b you are staying at is an excellent cook.
NOTE: possible extra night in Florence before departure
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Distance 24 km (walking time 4.30 h)
Day 2: San Miniato - Gambassi
After the first 6 km of traffic less asphalt, the whole itinerary is on unpaved roads or trails. The oak woods of the initial part give away to vineyards in the second part. Along the road, you can visit two interesting churches, Pieve di Coiano and S. Maria a Chianni just before arriving in Gambassi.
Type of route: almost entirely unpaved
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Distance 14 km (walking time 3 h)
Day 3: Gambassi - San Gimignano
A short day among Chianti vineyards to allow for time in the town of towers, one of the most famous places in Tuscany. it is pleasant to see the town in the evening or early morning when the busloads of tourists have not yet invaded it.
Type of route: almost entirely unpaved
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Distance 29 km (walking time 6 h)
Day 4: San Gimignano - Strove
A fairly long day in a beautiful landscape. The round walls of the historical fortified military post are amazing. Very interesting the parish church of Abbadia Isola.
Type of route: almost entirely unpaved
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Distance 17 km (walking time 3 h)
Day 5: Monteriggioni - Siena
Again a short segment to allow time in Siena. Apart from the pleasant countryside, there is nothing remarkable along the road. The route is unpaved almost to the arrival in Siena. The "clou" of the day is the ice cream you will have at a café on the Piazza del Campo watching people go by.
Type of route: almost entirely unpaved
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Distance 36 km (walking time 6.30 h)
Day 6: Siena - Buonconvento
You will follow a winding route for most of the day until you reach the “Grancia di Cuna” an ancient food storage place fortified to protect it during the never-ending wars between towns in the Middle Ages. It also provided shelter for the pilgrims. The stage ends in Ponte d’Arbia and is already very long; what is more, there is no hotel in town so the lady that does your luggage transfer will pick you up and take you to Buonconvento.
Type of route: almost entirely unpaved
Distance: 36km (31 to Ponte d’Arbia and 19 to the Grancia)
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Distance 23,6 km (walking time 5 h)
Day 7: Buonconvento - San Quirico
One of the longest day of the whole Francigena with 26 km on an easy terrain. The last third of the road follows the old Cassia. San Quirico was one of the most important stops on the way to Rome and has some of the most interesting buildings in the area with the Collegiata and the remains of an ancient pilgrims hospital.
Type of route: 30% secondary asphalt
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Day 8: End our service
See you next year to walk together the next stage
