About the walking
We grade this trip as moderate. Tracks and trails may have short steep hill sections, some rough surfaces and steps. A moderate active lifestyle makes walking more enjoyable, an exercise regime of 2 to 3 times a week is needed. Walks are generally along well-defined trails. You should be used to walking between 10km-19km per day with up to 500m of ascent and descent. The vast majority of trails and tracks are well defined and cover a variety of terrain. On any typical day, you will be walking on forest trails, gravel tracks, rolling farmland, through vineyards and into the villages and towns where you will stay. It is commonplace in Italy that there are no separate footpaths (even in the towns) which means you will often be walking on the road. Please always be mindful of all road users when doing so. For each of the walks, you will be provided with daily walk notes, a map and the GPX tracks in our walking app.
Availability
This walk is available from late April to the end of June and mid-August through to October.
Not available from 1st July – 22nd August.
From April into May the days are warm and sunny with equally pleasant evenings. Into June, sunflowers are in full bloom, vineyards are flowering, and the days become much warmer (up to 30 degrees). Village piazza’s buzz with life and are perfect for enjoying an al fresco dinner. Mid-August into September marks the beginning of the grape harvests, so you might be lucky enough to encounter a local festival or two. By October, the summer heat has retreated. The days are warm with evenings cooling off. It isn’t uncommon for Tuscany to experience thunderstorms during summer days, so you should always be prepared for a change of season during the day.
How to get there and away
This walk starts in Volterra and ends in Montepulciano. Volterra does not have an airport, but nearby Siena has excellent train links to Pisa, Florence, and Rome airports. We can arrange a private transfer for you from Siena, or you can use the public transport links to Volterra. Siena does not have an airport.
However, the nearest train stations are in Cecina and Pontedera. From these stations, you can take a bus to Volterra. There’s also a smaller train station at Saline di Volterra, which is connected to Cecina by bus.
Buses also run to Volterra from Florence, Siena, and San Gimignano, often requiring a change at Colle di Val d’Elsa or Pontedera.
Florence airport
Take the airport train directly into the Florence centre. Here you can change for a direct train service to Siena (approx 2 hrs).
Pisa Airport
On arrival at Pisa Airport, you can take the ‘Pisa Mover’ train shuttle to the Pisa Centrale station to change for services to Siena (changing in Empoli). Journey time is between 1hr 30mins – 2hrs.
Rome Airport
Rome has two airports. Fiumicino and Ciampino. Fiumicino airport connects through to Florence Central station in around 2hrs 30mins (with a change of trains in Rome central station). If you’re arriving at Rome Ciampino airport you will need to take the airport bus to Ciampino station and change at Rome central station for services to Siena. Journey time from Ciampino to Siena is around 2hrs 30mins (depending on times and services).
Onward Travel From Montepulciano
From Montepulciano, you can catch a train from two nearby stations. The closest but smallest station with less services is Montepulciano Stazione (9km away, approx. 10 mins by car or 20 mins by bus). The other is Chiusi Chianterme Station (24km away, approx. 30 mins by car or 50 mins by bus). This is a larger station offering more frequent bus services and supports another train service line from Siena.
For all train travel in Italy prices, timetables and ticket reservations can be made through Trainline or Trenitalia.
Another useful planning tool for travel is Rome2Rio should you be travelling from, or to, other destinations.
Insurance
We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.
For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.
We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred from our suppliers and in the office. See the FAQ section for more information.
SELF GUIDED
11 DAYS 
Moderate 
SELF GUIDED
11 DAYS 
Moderate 
