The official Via Francigena route dips briefly into the famed Val d’Orcia from Siena to Viterbo, but as it speeds toward Rome it misses some of the Val d’Orcia’s greatest sights. We make up for this by adding to the Francigena’s itinerary with some wise and wonderful wine and hot springs locations. Along the way we enjoy beautiful Siena, charming Buonconvento, and charming and mysterious Abbadia San Salvatore on the slopes on Monte Amiata. We continue into Lazio to see the towns of Acquapendente, Montefiascone, and Viterbo. Sprinkle in several amazing hot spring locations like Bagno Vignoni and Bagni San Filippo and you have a fabulous walking tour of some of the best sights of Central Italy.

You begin in Siena, one of Italy’s most perfectly preserved medieval cities, with its shell-shaped piazza and soaring Duomo. After a transfer to Monte Oliveto Maggiore (famed for its frescoes), you walk toward Buonconvento, entering the countryside of Val d’Arbia and then Val d’Orcia. Expect terraces of vineyards producing Brunello, gentle hills dotted with silvery olive groves, and stops in small towns like San Quirico d’Orcia and Bagno Vignoni. The latter, with its large central thermal basin, is a beloved pause for pilgrims, poets, and emperors alike.

From Bagno Vignoni you continue toward Bagni San Filippo and Abbadia San Salvatore, touching on lesser-visited slopes of Monte Amiata. In Abbadia you’ll sense ancient religious energy, and perhaps glimpse manuscripts and crypts that tie you to spiritual traditions.

Crossing into Lazio, you walk from Acquapendente toward Bolsena, glimpsing the volcanic crater lake and local legends of miracles. The path onward to Montefiascone reveals ancient stretches of the Via Cassia still paved after 2,000 years. Finally, the route leads you into Viterbo: a city steeped in papal history, medieval walls, aristocratic palaces, and cloisters of calm. By journey’s end you will have walked through Tuscany’s poetic terrains and Lazio’s storied hills, all framed by wine, springs, and the timeless quiet of pilgrimage.

Pilgrim Paths provides full support — transfers where needed, luggage transport, hand-picked lodgings, guide accompaniment, daily walking maps, and evening reflections. Whether your spirit seeks solace, cultural immersion, or a walking adventure, this Siena → Viterbo route is a deeply rewarding part of the longer Via Francigena experience.

Arrive in Siena, settle in, and enjoy an orientation walk through its medieval streets. This city’s Gothic cathedral and Piazza del Campo set the tone for your pilgrimage through time, art, and sacred landscapes.

We begin with a transfer to the monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, famed for Signorelli frescoes. From there we walk through soft hills and olive groves to overnight in Buonconvento’s quiet setting.

Traverse vineyard terraces, cypress-lined ridgelines, and pastoral roads to San Quirico d’Orcia. Continue to Bagno Vignoni, where warm springs flow through its historic piazza pool.

After a short transfer to Pienza, stroll through rolling Val d’Orcia hills, passing cheese farms and scenic viewpoints before returning to Bagno Vignoni for a restful evening by the thermal waters.

Leave behind the central pool of Bagno Vignoni and walk into more secluded landscapes. Arrive at Bagni San Filippo, where sulfurous cascades and grotto baths offer quiet refreshment along the path.

The route leads upward toward Monte Amiata. Cross forested slopes and rural paths before entering Abbadia San Salvatore, where the abbey’s crypt and ancient manuscripts echo its monastic legacy.

Descending from Monte Amiata’s heights, the trail passes through woodlands and ridge trails into Lazio. End the day in Acquapendente, with its Romanesque church and subterranean crypt of the Santo Sepolcro.

Walk toward Lake Bolsena, descending into its volcanic basin. Olive groves, rural roads, and a sense of early medieval pilgrimage accompany you to the shores of this storied crater lake.

Climb gently from Bolsena through rolling vineyards and olive groves. Reach Montefiascone, whose Rocca offers expansive views and whose famed “Est! Est!! Est!!!” wine greets pilgrims with local flavor.

This final stage follows ancient paved route of the Via Cassia, crossing hills and quiet valleys before arriving in Viterbo. Explore papal palaces, medieval quarters, and the renowned cloisters of Santa Maria Nuova.

After breakfast, the pilgrimage concludes in Viterbo. Depart at leisure, or extend your stay to wander its historic center, thermal springs, and hidden lanes.