The Tuscan Trail: Walk the ancient pilgrims' trail

Ita lian

WALKING BREAKS

Route 2. The Tuscan Trail Wa lled Cities • Chianti • Vineyards Distance: 26 km | Time: 3 Days Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate | Season: Spring/Summer Walk a spectacular Tuscan section of the ancient pilgrim trail of Via Francigena which literally means ‘the road that comes from France’, but many believe it started much further away in Canterbury. It’s a well-marked trail which you can do as much, or as little of, as you like. Stay in one of our special Sawday’s places and travel slowly, past citrus groves and rustic farmhouses, feeling free with just a pack on your back. The route from Gambassi Terme to Colle Val d’Elsa is stunning – stop here and rest or forge on to the sweet hamlet of Monteriggioni and beyond.

Antico Borgo Pogiarello, Tuscany

DON’T MISS...

Must see

Must stay

• Climb the highest tower of Palazzo Comunale in San Gimignano for gorgeous views.

• Marvel at the Duomo with its stunning frescoes, still colourful after 700 years.

• See the famous crystal glass being made in Colle Val d’Elsa.

Must eat Must drink

Our Special Places in Tuscany are as beautiful as the walks and the scenery. Stay in rustic, hugely welcoming places set into the untamed countryside. Dine on home-grown vegetables, hunt for truffles, douse your food in fragrant olive oil and take a dip in the pool – the perfect way to cool off after a long walk.

Capocollo with bruschetta to get you started, then a hearty Tuscan plate of Bistecca alla Fiorentina – a tender steak served with roast potatoes and spinach.

You cannot go through Tuscany without sipping – or slurping – some world class Chianti!

Locana Le Boscarecce, Tuscany

sawdays.co.uk/historical-walking-holidays-in-italy

Borgo Pignano, Tuscany

Ita lian

WALKING BREAKS

Route 2. The Tuscan Trail Wa lled Cities • Chianti • Vineyards Distance: 26 km | Time: 3 Days | Difficulty: Easy / Intermediate | Season: Spring / Summer

Day 1:

Fly to Florence or Pisa, and recharge your batteries San Gimignano is famed for its medieval sky scrapers, or

for a night. Plenty of hearty Tuscan food will fuel you for the preserved tower houses. See the grand Palazzo Comunale (the highest) and climb to the top for breathtaking views

stunning walking.

Day 2: Catch a train or bus to Gambassi Terme to kick-start your first day. This quaint town sits in rugged countryside and rolling hills dating to Neolithic times.

of the Valdelsa region. See the ancient castle ruins of Castelvecchio, walk along the city walls.

Day 3: After a good night’s sleep, head back to San

Always a rest point for the Via Francigena over the years, this Gimignano and continue on the trail - one of the most agricultural hub champions organic produce, arts and crafts.

beautiful stretches running alongside the border of Tuscany

Stock up your pack with food for the day’s walk.

and Chianti. You’ll hike through woods and undulating fields

Head east out of Gambassi Terme and walk 13.5km through the heart of Tuscany to San Gimignano. The path is marked, but the colours and design of the sign tend to vary. The

before arriving at Colle Val d’Elsa and the exquisite walled medieval part of town.

Explore narrow alleyways, visit the crystal glass museum,

signs usually depict a black pilgrim silhouette to indicate the toast your successful walk with heady Chianti. route. Taken at a slow pace it will take about 3 hours and take you past the Sanctuary at Pancole and Pieve of Cellole it finishes at the World Heritage UNESCO site.

sawdays.co.uk/historical-walking-holidays-in-italy

Ita lian

WALKING BREAKS

Route 2. The Tuscan Trail Wa lled Cities • Chianti • Vineyards Distance: 26 km | Time: 3 Days | Difficulty: Easy / Intermediate | Season: Spring / Summer

sawdays.co.uk/historical-walking-holidays-in-italy