Via Francigena Camino Italy: San Miniato Alto to Buonconvento - 9 Days
Camino de SantiagoVia Francigena

Via Francigena Camino Italy: San Miniato Alto to Buonconvento - 9 Days

9 Days
Moderate

Via Francigena Camino Italy: San Miniato Alto to Buonconvento - 9 Days

from $1,940 / person

Overview

This walk along the historic Via Francigena traces one of Europe's great ancient routes through the heart of Tuscany, following a path that once connected travellers all the way to Rome. Beginning in San Miniato, a quietly remarkable town perched above the surrounding countryside, the route takes in some of the most celebrated landscapes and landmarks in Italy.

The walking is exceptional throughout. The thousand-year-old Pieve di Chianni, the imposing castle at Monteriggioni and the singular spirit of Siena each mark the journey in their own way, before the route continues into the timeless dirt roads of the Sienese countryside, where fortified hamlets and sweeping views define the landscape all the way to the charming town of Buonconvento.

The food along this route deserves equal attention. The white truffle of San Miniato, the pici of Siena and the saffron of San Gimignano are among the finest regional specialities in Tuscany, and reason enough to savour every stage of the journey.

Highlights

  • Walk the Val d’Elsa region, enjoying the spectacular Tuscany landscape, including wineries and vineyards
  • The medieval villages and streets of San Gimignano (a UNESCO World Heritage site, as is Siena) and Monteriggioni
  • Explore the extravagant gardens and villas of Lucca
  • See the famous wooden Crucifix known as Volto Santo in San Martino Cathedral
  • Stay in comfortable, family-run accommodations and enjoy delicious Tuscan culinary specialities
  • Walk stress-free with our walking app, notes and the support of our team on the ground

Itinerary

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), 3-star Hotel (2 nights)

Meals

8 breakfasts, and 1 dinner

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

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

How We Rate This Walk

3

Auswalk 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

5-25 km

Daily distance range

179-780 m

Daily ascent range

2/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

This stretch of the Via Francigena passes through some of the most storied countryside in Italy. You will stay in a combination of small, family-run boutique B&Bs and three to four-star hotels, each one selected for its location, facilities and the history it carries. All properties are well accustomed to welcoming walkers. Where availability requires a change, any alternative will always meet the same standard as those pictured.

What You'll Eat

Good food is never far away on this section of the Via Francigena. Eight breakfasts are included throughout the trip, and on the second day in Gambassi, dinner is also included. Local cafes and traditional Tuscan food stores make lunch easy to find each day along the route, and come evening, your hosts will provide a list of dinner recommendations, leaving you free to choose wherever takes your fancy.

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 San Miniato Alto and finishes in Buonconvento, in Tuscany. The two most convenient airports are Pisa (PSA) and Florence (FLR), both with international connections across Europe. From Pisa Airport, trains reach San Miniato in around 30 to 50 minutes, with some services requiring a change at Empoli. From Florence Airport, a bus connects to Florence Santa Maria Novella station, from where direct trains reach San Miniato in around 40 to 55 minutes. Please note that the transfer from San Miniato station to your hotel is not included; this can be arranged as an optional extra on request. Book Italian rail tickets in advance through Trenitalia.

The walk ends in Buonconvento, from where trains connect to both Pisa and Florence airports, with journey times of around 2 to 3 hours and one or two changes. Remember to stamp your ticket at the platform machine before boarding any train in Italy.

This walk is available from 1 April to 31 October, with no fixed start days. Spring brings wildflowers, green vineyards and comfortable temperatures through the Tuscan hills. July and August can see afternoon temperatures well into the 30s on exposed stretches, so early starts are essential. Autumn is many walkers' favourite time, with the wine and truffle harvests under way, golden light across the Crete Senesi and pleasantly mild conditions. September and October are particularly good, with quieter trails throughout.

This walk is graded moderate. The route follows varied terrain through the Tuscan 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.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

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.

For your safety and well-being, we are unable to accept bookings for solo walkers on this self-guided trip. The remote nature of some tracks and limited mobile reception mean that walking alone presents a higher risk in case of emergencies.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

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

September 2026

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Available
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Out of season

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

Via Francigena reviews

5.0
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James R
August 2026

It was just such a lovely experience for all four is us, ages 11 to 61. Everything was well organised and provided by Auswalk. Great range of walks, excellent service during the inquiry and booking process, great tools provided to walkers. Big thanks to Auswalk for excellent arrangements. A really good service. And a note to others - our 11year old son who is not used to walking managed 6 days of ~20km per day in a July heatwave in Italy! It was the experience of doing it together as a family and the enjoyable route and arrangements that made it work!

David C
August 2026

Excellent service from Auswalk. The team at Auswalk delivered on everything they said they would. The walking trip we enjoyed worked exactly as we had expected with no issues whatsoever. Auswalk's excellent management of the baggage handling and accommodation from day to day made it possible for us to just enjoy the trip rather than dealing with any issues. We greatly appreciated the service and the expertise and the execution that Auswalk provided. Very well done on all counts. We will certainly use Auswalk again for our next walking holiday.

Belinda E
October 2025

As a solo traveller, this walk ticked all my boxes! History, scenery, no crowds, great accommodation - I wanted more of the same! I will definitely be signing up for more with Auswalks!

William T
October 2025

I found AusWalk staff to always be very helpful and prompt in my requests for information or action.

William T
October 2025

I found Auswalk's staff to always be very helpful and prompt in my requests for information or action.

Brenda H
July 2025

Plans all worked well reaching departure point. The app worked effectively and route recommendations were on point. The accommodation was always a surprise package, some better than others with the hosts. Thank you Auswalk, trip was amazing and met my expectations

Frequently Asked Questions

The Via Francigena is one of Europe's great ancient pilgrimage routes, stretching from Canterbury in England to Rome. Auswalk 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. Auswalk can arrange additional nights in Rome, Siena, Montefiascone, or other end points depending on your itinerary.

Want to Know More?

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