A map and itinerary of Via Francigena in Tuscany are what you need if you are planning to take this walk to reach Rome, the final destination coming from the North of Italy or Europe. Perhaps you decided to walk the Via Francigena for spiritual reasons or to feel like a pilgrim making such a long journey on foot, or simply because you enjoy walking and immersing yourself in nature.

Whatever reason drove you, in this article, I will provide you with an interactive route map, an itinerary of the Via Francigena in Tuscany, and some practical information. But first of all, if you are interested in discovering the history of this ancient route, read our previous post on the Via Francigena in Tuscany.

The Itinerary of Via Francigena in Tuscany: the 15 stages

1 Passo della Cisa – Pontremoli

Departure: Cisa Pass
Arrival: Pontremoli, Piazza della Repubblica
Distance: 12,05 mi / 19,4 km
Time: 5 hrs
Elevation gain: 576 ft / 527 m
Elevation loss: 4,353 ft / 1327 m
Maximum altitude: 3,307 ft / 1108 m
Difficulty: very difficult
Paved roads: 16%
Dirt roads and driveways: 29%
Mountain track: 55%
On saddle: 65%
How to get to the starting point: railway line Parma-La Spezia Berceto Station, Prontobus for Cisa (call 800-977900 before 2 pm)


What to see: Passo della Cisa, Groppodalosio

2 Pontremoli – Aulla

Departure: Pontremoli, Piazza della Repubblica
Arrival: Aulla, Abbey of San Caprasio
Distance: 20,44 mi / 32,9 km
Time: 7,20 hrs
Elevation gain: 1266,4 ft /527 m
Elevation loss: 1853,67 ft /1327 m
Maximum altitude: 820,21 ft /1108 m
Difficulty: Challenging
Paved roads: 52%
Dirt roads and driveways: 22%
Mountain track: 26%
On saddle: 94%
How to get to the starting point: railway line Parma-La Spezia, Pontremoli Station


What to see: Pontremoli, Castello del Piagnaro in Pontremoli, Pieve di Sorano, Pieve di San Giorgio, Filetto, Villafranca in Lunigiana, Fornoli, Abbey of San Caprasio in Aulla.

3 Aulla – Avenza

Departure: Aulla, Abbey of San Caprasio
Arrival: Avenza, Tower of Castruccio
Distance: 20,13 mi / 32,4 km
Time: 8 hrs
Elevation gain: 2355,64 ft /718 m
Elevation loss: 2519,69 ft /768 m
Maximum altitude: 1768,37 ft /539 m
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Paved roads: 63%
Dirt roads and driveways: 15%
Mountain track: 22%
On saddle: 90%
How to get to the starting point: railway line Parma-La Spezia, Aulla station


What to see: Vecchietto, Ponzano, Castello della Brina, Sarzana, Pieve di Sant’Andrea Apostolo, Fortress of Sarzanello, the archaeological site of Luni, White Marble Quarries of Carrara, Tower of Castruccio Castracani

4 Avenza – Pietrasanta

Departure: Avenza, Tower of Castruccio
Arrival: Pietrasanta, Duomo
Distance: 20,13 mi / 27,8 km
Time: 6,15 hrs
Elevation gain: 1341,86 ft /409 m
Elevation loss: 1312,34 ft /400 m
Maximum altitude: 600 ft /183 m
Difficulty: Challenging
Paved roads: 90%
Dirt roads and driveways roads: 5%
Mountain track: 5%
On saddle: 98% C
How to get to the starting point: FS Line La Spezia-Rome, Carrara- Avenza station


What to see: White Marble Quarries of Carrara, Massa, Palazzo Ducale of Massa, Malaspina Castle, Cathedral of Santi Pietro and Francesco of Massa, Castello Aghinolfi of Montignoso, the historical center of Pietrasanta.

5 Pietrasanta – Lucca

Departure: Pietrasanta, Duomo
Arrival: Lucca, Piazza San Michele
Distance: 20,07 mi / 32,3 km
Time: 7,15 hrs
Elevation gain: 1,345.14 ft /410 m
Elevation loss: 1,351.71 ft /400 m
Maximum altitude: 698.81 ft /213m
Difficulty: Challenging
Paved roads: 68%
Dirt roads and driveways: 17%
Mountain track: 15%
On saddle: 93%
How to get to the starting point: Line FS La Spezia – Rome, Pietrasanta Station


What to see: Pietrasanta, Pieve di San Giovanni and Santa Felicita, Camaiore, Benedictine monastery of San Pietro, Montemagno, Valpromaro, Ponte San Pietro, Lucca, Church of San Michele in Foro, Palazzo Pfanner, the Duomo of Lucca, Crocifisso del Volto Santo.

6 Lucca – Altopascio

Departure: Lucca, Piazza San Michele
Arrival: Altopascio, Church of San Jacopo Maggiore
Distance: 11,06 mi / 17,8 km
Time: 4 hrs
Elevation gain: 98,42 ft /30 m
Elevation loss: 98,42 ft /30 m
Maximum altitude: 78,74 ft /24m
Difficulty: Easy
Paved roads: 96%
Dirt roads and driveways: 1%
Mountain track: 3%
On saddle: 100%
How to get to the starting point: FS lines Viareggio-Florence and Aulla-Lucca, Lucca Station


What to see: Lucca, Badia di Pozzoveri, Altopascio, Church of San Jacopo Maggiore

7 Altopascio – San Miniato

Departure: Altopascio, Church of San Jacopo Maggiore
Arrival: San Miniato, Convent of San Francesco
Distance: 11,06 mi / 17,8 km
Time: 4 hrs
Elevation gain: 98,42 ft /30 m
Elevation loss: 98,42 ft /30 m
Maximum altitude: 78,74 ft /24m
Difficulty: Easy
Paved roads: 44%
Dirt roads and driveways: 53%
Mountain track: 3%
On saddle: 100%
How to get to the starting point: FS line Florence-Viareggio, Altopascio Station


What to see: Altopascio, Galleno, Ponte a Cappiano, Fucecchio, Arno River, Church and Convent of San Francesco

8 San Miniato – Gambassi Terme

Departure: San Miniato, Convent of San Francesco
Arrival: Gambassi Terme, Church of Cristo Re
Distance: 14,72 mi / 23,7 km
Time: 6 hrs
Elevation gain: 1,332.02 ft / 406 m
Elevation loss: 757,87 ft / 231 m
Maximum altitude: 1,000.66 ft /305 m
Difficulty: Challenging
Paved roads: 37%
Dirt roads and driveways: 62%
Mountain track: 1%
On saddle: 99%
How to get to the starting point: FS line Florence-Pisa-Livorno, S. Miniato Station


What to see: San Miniato, Torre di Federico, Calenzano, Pieve di Coiano, Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta in Chianni, Gambasi Terme

9 Gambassi Terme – San Gimignano

Departure: Gambassi Terme, Church of Cristo Re
Arrival: San Gimignano Piazza della Cisterna
Distance: 8,32 mi / 13,4 km
Time: 3 hrs
Elevation gain: 1,128.61 ft / 344 m
Elevation loss: 1,079.4 ft / 329 m
Maximum altitude: 1,272.97 ft /388 m
Difficulty: Easy
Paved roads: 40%
Dirt roads and driveways: 54%
Mountain track: 6%
On saddle: 97%
How to get to the starting point: PIUBUS (+39 0574 6081 or free toll number 800 570530) from Certaldo, Castelfiorentino, Empoli, Florence, Volterra.


What to see: Gambassi Terme, Val d’Elsa, Santuario di Pancole, Pieve di Cellole, San Gimignano.

10 San Gimignano – Monteriggioni

Departure: San Gimignano Piazza della Cisterna
Arrival: Monteriggioni, Piazza Roma
Distance: 18,51 mi / 29,8 km
Time: 7,30 hrs
Elevation gain: 1,683.071 ft / 513 m
Elevation loss: 1,847.11 ft / 563 m
Maximum altitude: 1,049.87 ft / 320 m
Difficulty: Challenging
Paved roads: 19%
Dirt roads and driveways: 70%
Mountain track: 12%
On saddle: 96%
How to get to the starting point: railway line Empoli-Siena, Poggibonsi Train Station, and bus line 133 to S. Gimignano operated by Tiemme Spa (from mobile 199 168 182 – from fixed-line 800 922 984 toll-free number).


What to see: Collegiata and Palazzo del Popolo in San Gimignano, Villa Torraccia in Chiusi, Badia a Coneo, Pieve of Saints Ippolito and Cassiano, Abbadia Isola, Monteriggioni.

11 Monteriggioni – Siena

Departure: Monteriggioni, Piazza Roma
Arrival: Siena, Piazza del Campo
Distance: 12,73 mi / 20,5 km
Time: 4,30 hrs
Elevation gain: 1,082.68 ft / 330 m
Elevation loss: 925,19 ft / 282 m
Maximum altitude: 1,161.42 ft / 354 m
Difficulty: Medium
Paved roads: 42%
Dirt roads and driveways: 33%
Mountain track: 25%
On saddle: 95%
How to get to the starting point: railway line Empoli-Siena, Castellina Scalo Station.


What to see: Monteriggioni, Porta Franca, Cerbaie, Castello della Chiocciola, Castello di Villa, Montagnola, Duomo Complex of Siena, Spedale di Santa Maria della Scala.

12 Siena – Ponte d’Arbia

Departure: Siena, Piazza del Campo
Arrival: Ponte d’Arbia Centro Cresti
Distance: 17,70 mi / 28,5 km
Time: 6,20 hrs
Elevation gain: 767.71 ft / 234 m
Elevation loss: 1,338.58 ft / 408 m
Maximum altitude: 1,043.30 ft / 318 m
Difficulty: Challenging
Paved roads: 30%
Dirt roads and driveways: 69%
Mountain track: 1%
On saddle: 100%
How to get to the starting point: FS Lines Siena-Grosseto and Empoli-Siena-Chiusi, Siena Station.


What to see: Siena, Grancia di Cuna, Val d’Arbia, Quinciano, Church of Sant’Albano.

12 Ponte d’Arbia – San Quirico d’Orcia

Departure: Ponte d’Arbia, Centro Cresti
Arrival: San Quirico d’Orcia, Collegiate Church
Distance: 17,02 mi / 27,4 km
Time: 6 hrs
Elevation gain: 1,683.071 ft / 513 m
Elevation loss: 846,45 ft / 258 m
Maximum altitude: 1,399.06 ft / 320 m
Difficulty: Challenging
Paved roads: 44%
Dirt roads and driveways: 56%
Mule tracks and paths: 0%
On saddle: 100%
How to get to the starting point: FS line Siena-Grosseto, Buonconvento Station, and bus line 112 operated by Tiemme +39 0577 204111


What to see: Pieve S. Innocenza, Buonconvento, Castello Altesi, Torrenieri, San Quirico d’Orcia, Collegiate church of Santi Quirico and Giuditta, Church of Santa Maria Assunta.

14 – San Quirico d’Orcia – Radicofani

Departure: San Quirico d’Orcia, Collegiate Church
Arrival: Radicofani, Church of San Pietro
Distance: 20,31 mi / 32,7 km
Time: 7,15 hrs
Elevation gain: 2,979 ft / 908 m
Elevation loss: 1,745.41 ft / 532 m
Maximum altitude: 2,591.86 ft / 790 m
Difficulty: Challenging
Paved roads: 44%
Dirt roads and driveways: 56%
Mule tracks and paths: 0%
On saddle: 100%
How to get to the starting point: FS line Siena-Grosseto, Buonconvento Station, and bus line 112 operated by Tiemme +39 0577 204111


What to see: Vignoni, Bagno Vignoni, Ospitale delle Briciole, Radicofani

15 Radicofani – Acquapendente

Departure: Radicofani, Church of San Pietro
Arrival: Acquapendente, Basilica del Santo Sepolcro
Distance: 19,75 mi / 31,8 km
Time: 7 hrs
Elevation gain: 1,154.86 ft / 352 m
Elevation loss: 2,467.19 ft / 752 m
Maximum altitude: 2,559,06 ft / 780 m
Difficulty: Challenging
Paved roads: 51%
Dirt roads and driveways: 49%
Mule tracks and paths: 0%
On saddle: 100%
How to get to the starting point: Chiusi railway station and Bus Italia Nord (toll-free number 800.37.37.60 or 055.47.821 Monday to Thursday: 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM – Friday only morning from 8.30 AM to 12.30 PM). – Regional Transport Service (toll-free number 800-57.05.30 Monday to Friday from 8.00 AM to 7.00 PM).


What to see: Radicofani, Proceno, Medieval Rocca, Ponte Gregoriano, Acquapendente, Basilica del Santo Sepolcro, and the crypt.

The Map and the Itinerary of Via Francigena in Tuscany

Practical information to face the itinerary of Via Francigena in Tuscany

You have two options to enjoy the itinerary of Via Francigena in Tuscany with a suitable calm. You can do it hiking or riding a bike.
Both ways will help you focus on the journey, allowing you to socialize with other pilgrims, your group, or the inhabitants. You will discover hidden places that you could not reach using a car, feel surrounded by nature, and experience the efforts of traveling as was done in the past. Anyway, if your feet hurt, you can take some public transport (especially if you do not have more than 30 days to complete the walk), and keep walking after a rest. But do not forget that you are perfectly allowed to stop to have a visit to the surroundings of the place you arrived. If you hold the Credential, you can receive the Testimonium.

What is the Credential and how to obtain it?

The Credential is a document, a kind of “Pilgrims Passport”, which demonstrates that the pilgrim is doing the journey towards a place of worship.

To be recognized as a pilgrim from the hospitality facilities along the Via Francigena, you have to show the Credentials, and they will make a stamp on it, as proof of your passage. Only collecting the stamps, you will receive the Testimonium once arrive at the Holy See.

(See the facsimile of a Via Francigena Credential front side / Via Francigena Credential backside)

What is The Testimonium and how do obtain it?

As for the Camino de Santiago, even for the pilgrimage of Via Francigena, you can receive the “Testimonium”. This document certifies that you completed the journey along the Via Francigena, and is the proof of the end of the pilgrim vows. For this reason, in the past, this was very important for the pilgrims.

To obtain the Testimonium, you have to disclose a stamped reference of at least 100 km by foot or 200 km by bike. You can receive the Testimonium at the following offices:

  • Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi at Piazza San Pietro (Piazza Pio XII, 9), on the right of the Bernini colonnade if you face the Basilica, or at San Giovanni dei Fiorentini (Piazza dell’ Oro, 1). Opening time: every day from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, Phone +39 06 69896380.
  • The vicarage of San Pietro, at the Petriano entry, Piazza S. Uffizio. Opening time: every day from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm asking for Mr. Patrizio Menna Valerio, Phone +39 06 69883731
  • If you are not able to obtain your Testimonium while in Rome, you can request it by post. Send your request to Fabbrica di San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, enclosing:
    1. copy of the Identity card or passport.
    2. copy of the Credential with all stamps.
    3. your full address.
    4. date of birth.
    5. starting place of your pilgrimage.
    6. starting date and arrival date.
    7. if you walked or cycled.
    8. Your motivation: faith, culture, or something else.
    9. The name of the Organisations that assisted you before or during your pilgrimage.
Via Francigena pilgrims my travel in tuscany
Some pilgrims resting along the Via Francigena in Tuscany in Monteriggioni

When to go

The best months to travel along the itinerary of Via Francigena in Tuscany are May and June, or September and October. I suggest you avoid the hottest months of the year such as July and August. Moreover, keep in mind that you can find some snow passing through the Cisa Pass even during Spring. During winter some accommodations are closed or without a heating system, and the itinerary might be rough. In Lucca on 13 and 14 September, you can attend the Cross Celebration, and the Lucca Comics & Games during Halloween days, which is nowadays celebrated even in Tuscany. Monteriggioni in July hosts the medieval festival at “Monteriggioni di Torri si colora”. In Siena, during Summer there is the famous horse race, the Palio, on 2nd July and 16 August.

Budget

Not considering the transfer from your place to the departure point and back, the average daily expenses per person for food and accommodations are between €50 and € 30. If you are traveling on a tight budget, you will have to look for accommodation with some religious or secular organization. Unfortunately, there are not many of them. They generally take an offer but there may be a minimum fee to pay.

Mountain shelters and hostels usually have rates not higher than € 20. You can opt for the most expensive solution, which includes a wide offer of bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, and hotels. The number of trattoria offering a special price for pilgrims is increasing: a meal with a first dish, the main course, and beverages are between 12 and 15 euros, but some hostels provide kitchen use.

Tips for walks along the itinerary of Via Francigena in Tuscany

Averagely each stage is between 22 and 23 kilometers, 13 and 14 miles, with a maximum peak of 23 kilometers, and 19 miles. Along the Camino, you will find a big network of places that host pilgrims, such as religious facilities, hostels, or guesthouses.

Sometimes the journey can be tough, mostly due to the length of the route, but also to the different altitudes or the lack of water, so the pilgrims should lighten their backpacks bringing only the strictly necessary and enough water.

The average speed of a trained walker along an itinerary with not too much difference in height is 4 or 5 Km/h, 2,5 or 3 m/h, but this is not valid along the climb of the Passo Della Cisa, (which is one of the most difficult but also one of the most fascinating), and the path to reach Radicofani. But take note that after 5 or 8 hours of walking, you will be really tired and that the day after you should get up early to be able to walk during the driest hours of the day. So be wise, and go to sleep early, after having taken care of your feet at your accommodation.

Tips for riding a bike along Via Francigena

Some of the bike itineraries are essentially the path walk, but there are some bike lanes. You might not face any difficulties using a mountain bike, but in this case, the suggested average daily journey is between 20 and 30 Km, and 31, and 43 miles. With a road bike, at the entry with Tuscany, at the Passo Della Cisa, you can deviate for the Strada Statale 62 Della Cisa, which is barely abandoned since the Autostrada A15 Parma-La Spezia has been built, and once you are arrived next to the Arno river to enter in Pisa there is another detour to take. There are not any troubles once arrived in the Siena valleys.

People with disabilities, traveling with kids and with animals

Unfortunately, the itinerary of the Via Francigena is not recommended for people with disabilities, or children, because some parts of the itinerary and accommodations are not equipped for them. Although the itinerary can be done if you are walking with your dog, most of the accommodations do not allow animals. Riding a horse along the Via Francigena might be an amazing experience, but there are not plenty of facilities for them, so take note to ask the hosts if they offer this service.

Connections

By Plane

You can reach one of the places along the Via Francigena itinerary even by airplane. In Tuscany, there are two airports, Pisa and Florence, well connected with the biggest cities in Europe.

By Train

If you need a break from your walk, you can take a regional train to move along the Italian leg of the Camino. Thanks to an agreement signed between Trenitalia and the European Association of the Via Francigena, every pilgrim has a 10% reduction on the tickets for the regional trains. The train stations along the Via Francigena are Aulla, Pontremoli (along the rail line Parma-La Spezia); Carrara, Massa, Pietrasanta, (along the rail line Pisa-Genova) Lucca, and Altopascio (along the rail line Pisa-Firenze) and Siena. Along the Lunigiana and Garfagnana areas, where the Via del Volto Santo was once dislocated, runs the rail line of Aulla-Lucca. In Val d’Elsa the train stations are Castelfiorentino, Certaldo, Poggibonsi-San Gimignano, and Siena (along with the Firenze-Siena rail line). Finally, the Val d’Arbia is served by the rail line Siena-Grosseto, which stops in Isola d’Arbia, Monteroni d’Arbia, and Buonconvento.

By Bus

If you opt for a bus journey you can use CTT Nord for Massa e Carrara, Lucca, and Pisa area, and Train Siena area.

By Car

From Passo della Cisa you can reach Pontremoli along the Strada Regionale 62 della Cisa, crossing Sarzana (in Liguria), and continuing in Tuscany along Strada Statale 1 Aurelia to Carrara, Massa, and Lucca (that runs in parallel to the motorway Autostrada 12 “Azzurra” that has the exit in Carrara, Massa, Pietrasanta, and Camaiore, here the Strada Provinciale 1 lead to Lucca). The Strada Provinciale 23 Gello and the Strada Provinciale 61 Molina di Quosa go through the Arno Valley to Altopascio. Here some provincial roads go to Fucecchio, and the Strada Statale 67 Tosco-Romagnola leads to San Miniato. Moreover, keep going to San Gimignano to reach Siena, and from here to Val d’Arbia and Val d’Orcia. Then San Quirico d’Orcia and Bagno Vignoni and the Tuscan route it ends in Radicofani.

Preparation

Before starting the journey do some exercise to be ready and perform better during your trip. It will help you also know your limits and sometimes achieve new goals. The physical and psychological effort of this walk is not a joke, so be wise, and prepare yourself at least one month before not only with exercise but also with a healthy diet and with a rhythm of life with the times marked as if you are already doing this walk. It is always important to listen to our body and break in the shoes if they are new, to avoid blisters.

It is important to do some stretching exercises to warm your muscles, prepare your articulations, and always drink enough water to avoid inflammations.

Backpack and equipment

Choose a good excursion backpack with a capacity of 9/11 gallons (35/45 lt) that fits perfectly with the length of your back and your physique. Fills it just with the necessary (15/17 lbs – 7/8 Kg for men, and 13/15 lbs – 6/7 kg for women).

Every morning you have to redo your backpack, positioning the lower the heavy things and on top of the light things. Keep in consideration delivering part of your luggage to some post offices along the itinerary using the general delivery, to walk without excessive weight on your backpack.

Use plastic bags to put back your things in the backpack, to protect it from water infiltration. Bring a light sleeping bag but most of the hostels provide bed sheets. Two or a maximum of three daily changes, that you can wash, preferring for versatile apparel possibly technical clothes. Do not forget a hat to protect your head from sunlight, and you can opt for some hiking sticks.

Bring always an emergency box in your backpack, furnished with your medicaments, some Vaseline to grease your toes before you wear socks, patches, liquid disinfectant, an elastic band, gauze pads, needles, and threads, scissors, analgesics, and sunscreen.

Shoes and feet care

It also is important to choose good quality technical equipment both for shoes and a backpack. I suggest you wear waterproof hiking shoes (at least at your ankle height), an anti-blister soak, a pair of sandals, or slippers to let your feet breathe during your break. Be aware of walking with humid shoes or socks, and after any fording take care of drying perfectly your feet. In the case of blisters, take a needle, and disinfect it, then punch holes in the blister to let the liquid exit without removing the skin. Disinfect the blister, and cover it with a patch.

Digital devices

Although it would be nice to experience the journey without distractions, focusing on ourselves and the nature around us, you will certainly travel with your smartphone or a tablet. Use them mostly to view the map of your journey with tools such as Google Maps or Via Francigena-specific Apps. You can also use them to make memories of your trip by taking pictures, or writing your travel journal.

In addition, these devices will help you keep up to date with the latest world news, stay in touch with family and friends, share your best moments on social media, or call for help in an emergency.

How to organize yourself every morning

I suggest you start your journey in the early morning when it is not too hot. Sometimes you have no chance to find any shadow, so cover your head with a hat and use sunscreen to protect your skin from the rays of the sun. In case you feel fatigued, headache, or fever, or are fainting, due to long exposure to the sun, rest immediately under the shadows and drink some water with supplements. Refresh your head with wet handkerchiefs, and in the case of an emergency call the Healthy Emergency Service at 118.

Weather

If you walk the Via Francigena in the summer, note that usually the streams and rivers are dry, but if it rains intensely, it could be difficult, inconvenient, or dangerous to wade the water flow. I highly recommend keeping you informed about the weather forecast in Tuscany during your journey. I suggest you have a windbreaker in Goretex and an umbrella, instead of a cloak in case of rain, and something to cover your backpack.

Water and hydration

During your journey bring at least 2 bottles of water per person and refill your bottle (with a screw cap) with fresh water in a “Bar” (cafè) or drinking fountains. Bring also vitamin supplements, to avoid any risk of heatstroke. In a case of dehydration, you could have a dry mouth, excessive sweating, vomiting, and tachycardia, and the skin dries out and loses elasticity. To avoid these cases, have healthy nutrition, but if it happens, drink water with some supplements in a small sip, to prevent vomiting.

Food

I suggest that you buy food on your way. You will get to taste local products and not carry heavy and unnecessary loads with you. Good options are fresh fruits, breads, cold cuts or cheeses, or dried fruits, to fill up on energy.

Emergency Phone Numbers

  • Ambulance 118
  • Carabinieri 112
  • State Forestry Corps 1515
  • Coast Guard 1530
  • Police 113
  • Roadside Assistance 803 116
  • Fire Department 115

Books about Via Francigena

Guides Travel Memories

What you should not miss along the itinerary of Via Francigena in Tuscany

I suggest you do not skip the Tuscan villages like San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, and Radicofani. You will meet them along the Tuscan path of Via Francigena. They got the Bandiera Arancione, literally the Orange Flag. This is a quality brand awarded by the Italian Touring Club to those hamlets with no more than fifteen thousand inhabitants, that distinguish themselves for their hospitality, tourism services, tourist attractions, and environmental sustainability.

Photo Cover Credit: Visit Tuscany

10 thoughts on “Map and Itinerary of Via Francigena in Tuscany

  1. Marj Matzky says:

    Thank you for writing this. I have walked the Camino in Spain and am excited to learn that there is one in Italy!

  2. Michelle says:

    Thankyou for this thorough information. My sister & I have recently completed 100+km from San miniato to Sienna with a small group . One of the best things I’ve ever done!

  3. Sheila Burch says:

    I am walking from Luca to Siena in September 2022 and would love some tips! I’m a bit worried the distances for the standard walk which includes 24-30 km days might be too long. Is there a way to break up the walk ? I BBC woukd like to complete the 100km walking!

    • Nicola Bandini says:

      Dear Sheila, so sorry for the big delay. I personally did not walk those stages of the Via Francigena. It seems there are two legs particularly long and hard: 1) From San Miniato to Gambassi, and 2) from San Gimignano to Monteriggioni. During the first stage maybe you can stop in towns like Castelfiorentino or Montaione. During the second hard stage, you should pass across Poggibonsi and Colle Val d’Elsa.This last town is nice.

  4. Venanzio Vella says:

    Ho visto descrizioni di tutti i tipi di come visitare la via Francigena ma non ho ancora visto come posizionarla tramite Google map

    • Nicola Bandini says:

      Hi Venanzio, I did a simple research on Google and found a few results with a complete map of the Via Francigena on google maps. Unless google decides to map the Via as a “normal road”, I am not sure you will find an exact itinerary to follow with directions such as “tra 200 metri girare a destra”.You have to follow signs along the way for that.

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