Treasures of Tuscany Walk: San Gimignano to Volterra

Arrive at your accommodation in the main square of San Gimignano with great views of the famous Tuscan hills.

Leave San Gimignano’s ancient town walls behind you as you wind your way past verdant olive groves, lush vineyards and majestic cypress trees into the heart of spectacular Val d’Elsa. Along route, you’ll find an olive mill where you can sample some of Tuscany’s finest olive oil and learn about the production of this exceptional local delicacy. Finally admire the views of San Gimignano as you loop through rolling countryside along tranquil gravel roads back to San Gimignano to enjoy some Chianti wine and traditional Tuscan crostini.

From San Gimignano follow in the pilgrim’s footsteps along the Via Francigena to Colle di Val D’Elsa. Internationally renowned for its crystal production Colle di Val d’Elsa is a charming town filled with medieval architecture with evidence of human settlements dating back to the Etruscans.

Bright with sunflowers and fragrant apple orchards, the historic Via Francigena passes tiny hamlets and lonely chapels towards the lazy Foci River. You may like to make a short detour to take in a wine tasting at Montauto, before rejoining the pilgrim path to Colle di Val D’Elsa. Once you have finished exploring Colle di Val D’Elsa pop on a bus back to San Gimignano (ticket payable locally).

Visit San Gimignano’s mystical towers built by warring neighbours in the 12th century to outdo one another! Or for a longer day out, hop on a local bus to Siena (1 hour), a perfectly preserved medieval gem with a stunning striped 14th century Gothic cathedral and beautiful square.

A short taxi ride (10 minutes) from your hotel takes you to the start of the walk in Caggio, at the Castelvecchio Nature Reserve. From here you follow a woodland trail dotted with rock roses and wild strawberry plants to reach a panoramic strada bianca, where hawks soar overhead. With open views across cypress-studded ochre fields, you pass through the historic hamlets of Sensano and Ulignano, before ascending an ancient mule track to Volterra.

Arrive at your 4 star hotel just within Volterra’s medieval gates, where you have time to relax in the pool.

Today you follow the old rack railway that used to connect Volterra to the salt mines; with far reaching vistas of endless rolling hills and verdant landscape, this is quintessential Tuscany at its best. This is not only a serene walking experience but also a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the area, where the salt mines played a pivotal role in local history by contributing significantly to Volterra’s wealth. The salt trade allowed Volterra to become a powerful economic centre and funded the construction of many of its impressive buildings. Today, Volterra’s salt is still renowned and is used throughout Italy by chefs who appreciate high-quality ingredients.

Option to reduce the walking distance by returning to Volterra by bus. (ticket payable locally)

This walk explores the edges of Volterra, where the town’s Etruscan origins, medieval engineering and striking geology come together. Leaving the historic centre, the route reaches Fonte San Felice, one of Volterra’s most important medieval water structures, built in 1319. Follow paths that lead towards the Necropolis of Colombaie, an archaeological area that has produced some of Volterra’s most important recent discoveries. The end of your walk brings you back into the centre of Volterra for a well earned gelato.

Alternatively, you might choose to relax by the pool or delve into the fascinating local attractions of Volterra. Visit the well-preserved Roman theatre, the Etruscan museum or Palazzo dei priori, one of the oldest town halls in Tuscany.

After breakfast leave Volterra