Via
Francigena
The Road to Rome
$1,910
Price from
95KM
Distance
8
Days
Easy
Difficulty
Start: Lucca, Italy
Finish: Siena, Italy
Best Months: Apr-Jun, Sept-Oct
Type: Self-Guided
Best Months: May-Jun, Sep-Oct
$2,400
Price from
8
Days
95KM
Distance
Easy
Difficulty
Start: Lucca, Italy
Finish: Siena, Italy
Type: Self-Guided
Why walk with Tierra Trekking Co
Experience the Camino with Australian-based support and local expertise every step of the way.
Local support
Our team supports you before you leave and along the way, with local support on the Camino.
Personalised notes
Receive clear walking notes and instructions to make walking easy.
Hand-picked accommodation
Stay in comfortable, private rooms with bathrooms, in charming inns, boutique guesthouses, and quality hotels.
Luggage transfers
We handle daily lugagge transfers, so you can walk with ease and enjoy the journey.
Why Walk This Route?
Who Is this Route For?
Tuscan Landscapes
Walk through vineyards, olive groves and rolling
countryside.
Historic Hilltop Towns
Discover San Gimignano, Monteriggioni and other medieval towns.
Food & Culture
Enjoy Tuscan cuisine, local wines, and centuries of history and tradition.
Finish in Siena
Conclude your journey in one of Italy’s great medieval
cities.
Coastal Scenery
Walk along the Atlantic Ocean, through fishing villages, beaches and historic towns.
Cultural Immersion
Enjoy fresh seafood, local cafes and the relaxed atmosphere of Portugal and Spain.
Camino Community
Meet pilgrims from around the world while enjoying a quieter and relaxed experience.
Arrive in Santiago
The final walk into Santiago de Compostela is a moment you will never forget.
Walk Beside the Ocean
Walk beside beaches, boardwalks and coastal paths as you make your way north from Porto.
Coastal Towns & Local Culture
Discover fishing villages, local cafés and historic towns while enjoying Portuguese hospitality.
Camino Community
Meet pilgrims from around the world while enjoying a quieter and more relaxed Camino.
Arrive in Santiago
Experience the unforgettable feeling of arriving in Santiago de Compostela after days of walking.
First-Time Camino Walkers
An approachable route with good infrastructure, clear waymarking and welcoming towns.
Couples & Solo Travellers
A rewarding journey for solo travellers and couples, blending scenery, culture and comfort.
Walkers Seeking a Quieter Camino
A quieter route where the ocean, villages and open landscapes create space for reflection and personal connection.
People Seeking Gentle Terrain
Perfect for walkers who prefer manageable distances and terrain, with a comfortable rhythm from start to finish.
Is the Via Francigena
right for you?
This route is a wonderful choice for many walkers.Here's a quick guide to see if it's the right fit for you.
You want to experience Tuscany
You enjoy vineyards and hilltop towns
You prefer moderate distances and terrain
You love history, food and traditional villages
You have around 7–10 days available
This route is ideal if:
Popular with:
First-time Via Francigena walkers
Couples
Solo travellers
Aged 40-70+
Walkers seeking a scenic and cultural pilgrimage
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Hi, I'm Ben
I first walked the Camino over 10 years ago, and I’ve been helping others plan their own ever since. I know how much the right route, daily distances, accommodation, and support can shape your experience, so I’m here to help you plan a Camino that feels right before you set off.
What Our Walkers Say
Real experiences from people who have walked the Camino with us
“As a solo walker, I wanted support without losing independence. Everything was clear, easy to follow, and ran smoothly, so I could relax and enjoy the experience.”
Luciana M
Portuguese Coastal Camino
“A memorable Camino from Porto to Santiago. Everything was easy to follow, well organised, and ran smoothly, making the whole journey relaxed and enjoyable.”
Sarah G
Portuguese Central Camino
“Everything was organised and ran smoothly throughout. The accommodations were great, communication was excellent, and the whole experience felt stress-free.”
Krista A
Camino Frances Last 100KM
“Had a fantastic time walking the Camino. Everything was well organised, the accommodation was comfortable, and the whole experience felt smooth from start to finish.”
Pattie C
Camino Frances Full Length
“A really well organised and stress-free experience. From the itinerary to luggage transfers, everything ran smoothly and we felt supported throughout the journey.”
Daniel M
Portuguese Coastal Camino
“A fantastic few weeks from Porto to Santiago. Everything was easy to follow, well organised, and ran smoothly, which made the whole journey feel relaxed and enjoyable.”
Vince P
Portuguese Coastal Camino
“A smooth and well organised Camino. Everything was taken care of, communication was clear, and the whole journey felt easy to enjoy from start to finish.”
Alex B
Portuguese Coastal Camino
"Communication was outstanding and everything felt simple and stress-free. Even a last-minute cancellation was handled quickly and professionally."
Christina F
Portuguese Coastal Camino
Need Help Planning Your Camino?
Unsure if this itinerary suits your fitness level, schedule or travel plans?
Get personalised advice from an Australian Camino specialist.
About This Journey
Walk a beautiful section of the Via Francigena through the heart of Tuscany, beginning in Lucca and continuing south to Siena. After travelling to San Miniato, the walking route winds through vineyards, olive groves, forest trails and rolling farmland, linking some of Tuscany’s most atmospheric hill towns along the way. Pass through Gambassi Terme, San Gimignano, Colle Val d’Elsa and Monteriggioni before finishing in magnificent Siena. Along the journey, discover medieval villages, Romanesque churches, local food and wine, and the landscapes that have made this part of Italy so enduringly special.
Route Map
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive in Lucca and take some time to settle into one of Tuscany’s most atmospheric walled cities. The historic centre is enclosed by remarkably intact Renaissance walls, now transformed into a broad, tree-lined promenade that is perfect for an easy walk and a first look across the city.
Within the walls, Lucca is a maze of elegant piazzas, narrow streets and historic churches. Wander through Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, built around the outline of an ancient Roman amphitheatre, visit the Cathedral of San Martino, or climb the distinctive Guinigi Tower, topped by its small garden of holm oak trees and offering views across the rooftops towards the surrounding hills.
If time allows, Palazzo Pfanner and its formal gardens are also worth visiting. The evening is free for you to explore Lucca at your own pace and choose from the many restaurants and trattorias scattered throughout the old town.
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Lucca before leaving the city behind and travelling by train towards San Miniato. Once you arrive, the character of the journey begins to shift from Renaissance city streets to the smaller hilltop towns of rural Tuscany.
San Miniato occupies a beautiful position overlooking the Arno Valley and has long been an important stopping point on the Via Francigena. Spend the afternoon wandering through its historic centre, where steep lanes, old palaces and small piazzas open onto sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.
The town is also one of Tuscany’s great truffle centres, particularly famous for its prized white truffles.
With your first walking stage beginning tomorrow, this evening is a chance to enjoy San Miniato at an easy pace and settle into the rhythm of the journey ahead.
Leave San Miniato on foot and begin your journey through the open landscapes of the Val d’Elsa. The route passes through a patchwork of vineyards, olive groves and farmland, with gentle climbs bringing increasingly broad views across the Tuscan countryside.
Along the way you will encounter several places connected to the long history of the Via Francigena, including the ancient parish churches of Pieve di Coiano and Pieve a Chianni. Both have welcomed travellers for centuries and form part of the historic pilgrimage route recorded by Archbishop Sigeric on his journey to Rome.
As the day continues, the path follows quiet rural roads and tracks across rolling ridgelines, passing isolated farmhouses and cultivated fields before reaching Gambassi Terme. This small hill town has long been associated with natural springs and thermal waters and provides a peaceful place to rest after your first full walking stage.
Today’s walk continues deeper into the Tuscan countryside, following a mix of quiet lanes, woodland paths and open farmland. Vineyards, olive groves and cypress-lined tracks accompany much of the route as you make your way towards one of the most distinctive towns on the Via Francigena.
Along the way, pass through the small settlements of Collemuccioli and Pancole, where you can visit the sanctuary overlooking the surrounding hills. Further on, the route leads past Pieve di Cellole, a peaceful Romanesque church and monastery set in a wonderfully rural location.
As you draw closer to San Gimignano, its famous medieval towers gradually come into view above the landscape. Enter the historic centre and spend the rest of the day exploring its stone lanes, piazzas and remarkable skyline. San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Tuscany’s best-preserved medieval towns, making it a memorable place to finish the day.
Leave the towers of San Gimignano behind and continue south along the Via Francigena through a quieter stretch of rural Tuscany. The route alternates between country lanes, cultivated fields and shaded woodland, with a few rougher sections underfoot where the trail becomes rocky or crossed by exposed tree roots.
A worthwhile diversion along the way leads to the Romanesque Abbey of Santa Maria Assunta in Conèo, an atmospheric church dating back to around the 11th century and surrounded by peaceful countryside.
Your destination is Colle Val d’Elsa, a historic hill town divided between its older upper quarter and the more modern town below. Known internationally for its crystal and glassmaking tradition, it is a rewarding place to explore on foot. Wander through the medieval streets of the upper town, enjoy the views across the Elsa Valley, or visit one of the local museums if time allows.
Continue south through the Val d’Elsa countryside on a particularly scenic stretch of the Via Francigena. The route passes through a mix of farmland, woodland and small rural settlements, with several historic stops along the way.
Among the highlights are the ancient thermal waters at Caldane and the churches at Pieve a Elsa and Strove. Further on, Abbadia a Isola offers another strong connection to the long history of the pilgrimage route, having served travellers on the Francigena for centuries.
As you approach Monteriggioni, its fortified skyline appears dramatically above the surrounding countryside. The compact medieval village is completely enclosed by stone walls and towers, creating one of Tuscany’s most memorable hilltop settings.
Once inside, take time to wander the small lanes and central Piazza Roma, and if the walls are open, climb up for excellent views across the surrounding hills.
Leave Monteriggioni behind and continue across the rolling landscapes of the Montagnola Senese. The route follows a mix of gravel roads, woodland tracks and quiet rural paths through an area shaped by centuries of rivalry between Siena and Florence.
Along the way you will pass the remains of the medieval settlement of Cerbaia before continuing through forested sections and open countryside dotted with farms, castles and cypress-lined lanes.
The final approach into Siena is especially memorable. After passing through the Renai Forest, enter the city through Porta Camollia, the traditional gateway for pilgrims arriving from the north.
Siena is one of Tuscany’s great medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Spend time exploring its narrow streets, the magnificent Duomo and the sweeping Piazza del Campo, famous for the Palio horse race. It is a fitting place to finish this stage of your journey along the Via Francigena.
Enjoy a full day to discover Siena at your own pace. Its beautifully preserved medieval centre is made for exploring on foot, with narrow lanes opening onto grand piazzas, hidden courtyards and centuries-old churches.
Begin in Piazza del Campo, the distinctive shell-shaped square at the heart of the city, before visiting Siena’s extraordinary striped-marble Duomo. You may also like to climb the Torre del Mangia for sweeping views across the terracotta rooftops and surrounding Tuscan countryside.
With no walking stage today, there is plenty of time to slow down, explore some of Siena’s quieter neighbourhoods, stop for a long lunch and simply enjoy the atmosphere of one of Italy’s most remarkable medieval cities.
Inclusions
What's Included
Private ensuite rooms
Daily breakfasts
Daily baggage transfers
On-trip emergency support
Unlimited pre-departure planning
Not Included
Flights to and from your trip
Lunches, dinners, and drinks
Train from Lucca to San Miniato
Local city or tourist taxes
Travel insurance (required)
Need Help Planning Your Camino?
Unsure if this itinerary suits your fitness level, schedule or travel plans?
Get personalised advice from an Australian Camino specialist.
Booking Options
$1,910
Apr- May 2027
Single Supplement
$940
$1,950
Jun - Sep 2027
Single Supplement
$990
$1,925
Oct 2027
Single Supplement
$970
Date
Price (PP)
Single Supplement
Apr- May 2027
$1,910
$940
Jun - Sep 2027
$1,950
$990
Oct 2027
$1,925
$970
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a moderately challenging walk with rolling hills, some steeper climbs and descents, and a mix of paved roads, gravel tracks and woodland paths. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended, but you do not need to be an experienced long-distance walker.
Most walking days range from around 15 to 25 kilometres. The longest stage is approximately 25 kilometres from San Miniato to Gambassi Terme.
The route passes through vineyards, olive groves, farmland, forests and medieval villages. Surfaces include quiet country roads, gravel tracks, dirt paths and some uneven or rocky sections.
Spring and autumn are generally the best times to walk, with April to June and September to October offering pleasant temperatures and beautiful countryside. July and August can be very hot, particularly on exposed sections.
Yes, the Via Francigena is generally well marked through Tuscany with official signs and route markers. We also provide detailed walking information and recommend using a navigation app as a backup.
Yes. This section is a great introduction to the Via Francigena, particularly for walkers who are comfortable covering moderate daily distances. The route combines rewarding countryside walking with regular towns and villages along the way.
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