Bicycle tours – Via Francigena from Pisa to Siena

Day 1 – Arrival in Pisa

Free arrival in Pisa. The city is famous all over the world for its magic Piazza dei Miracoli with the characteristic leaning tower, the bell tower of the city cathedral. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1987, besides a large number of monuments it also offers the friendly and lively atmosphere of a university city. Overnight

Day 2 –   Pisa – Lucca (45 km)

Today you are pedalling northwards along the Serchio river for an easy stage. For those who wish a slightly longer itinerary, there is the option of going towards
Massaciuccoli Lake before reaching Lucca. Overnight.

Day 3 –  Lucca – San Miniato (45 km)

Starting from Piazza Anfiteatro in the heart of Lucca, we join the Via Francigena proper. Along the route, the ancient abbey of Pozzeveri, south of the Serchio, rises along a stretch which was notoriously challenging for early pilgrims, its dense forest swamped in marshland. Overnight.

Day 4 – San Miniato – Colle Val d’Elsa (25/60 km)

Continue along the valleys and banks of the Elsa river, past the castles that once ensured safe passage to the pilgrims of the Via Francigena. Shortly before reaching Colle Val d’Elsa, you look forward to the appearance in the distance of San Gimignano, the medieval burgh celebrated for its timeless skyline of towers. Overnight

Day 5 –  Colle Val d’Elsa – Siena (30 km)

Head for Montagnola Senese, home to the historic clifftop castle of Monteriggioni, which once defended the Republic of Siena. The heart of Siena, Piazza del
Campo, is a short ride away now. Here the historic bareback horse race takes place twice a year: the Palio di Siena. Overnight

Day 6 –  Siena – Monteroni d’Arbia – Siena (20/45 km)

The Via Francigena continues south following the ancient Cassian Way – the Roman route that once linked Florence and Rome – traversing one of the most
picturesque stretches of Tuscany: the Crete Senesi. From Monteroni d’Alba you can return to Siena by bus or train, or simply cycle on and up through the gentle
“Clays”, its moonscape lined with cypress trees and dotted with solitary shepherds’ huts. Overnight

Day 7 – Siena/departure

Free transfer to the train station and end of the tour (or proceed with your Italian trip)

Difficulty: MEDIUM

 Total length: 150/225 km

Total vertical up: 1200/2340 m

Terrain: 75% tarmac, 25% unpaved

 The itinerary poses an intermediate challenge and follows wherever possible the pilgrim way. You cycle mainly along quiet roads with occasional stretches of rough (but comfortable) track. The early stages are essentially on level land; from San Miniato as far as Siena the hilly landscape is steadily undulating, with climbs of intermediate difficulty

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