Lucca to Siena

Route Description

Travel to Lucca and visit the numerous highlights in the afternoon. In the evening enjoy the local food and wine! Lucca was Sigeric’s stopping place 26 (XXVI) known then as Luca.

Highlights

• Enormous city walls
• Roman Amphitheatre piazza
• Cathedral of San Michele
• Torre della Ore
• Torre Guinigi
• Volta Santo in Cathedral of San Martino

Route Description

This is an easy level walk along minor roads and a forest trail surrounded by distant mountain vistas. Capannori and Porcari are two historic towns along the way with bars for rest stops and a pilgrim stamp. Then a pleasant forest trail to the ruins of Badia Pozzeveri Abbey. Altopascio has interesting places to visit in connection with the role of the Knights of Tau in the care of pilgrims.

Highlights

• Ancient church of San Michele. (4 km) (Map 2 – scenery or Church)
• 8th century Romanesque Santi Quirico e Giulitta Church with Ghibelline battlements. (6.5 km)
• Forcri, Sigeric’s 25th (XXV) stopover. (12 km) (map 7 photo) (distant views)
• Badia Pozzeveri Abbey archaeological site reconstructing medieval monastic lifestyle. (17 km)
• Altopascio library museum dedicated to Knights of Tau with a ‘pistacchia’ pilgrim stamp.

Route Description

VFI-088 is a 29 km demanding walk best covered over two days. It begins with an average level walk with a variety of walking surfaces, terrains and altitudes. At Galleno take a rest break at a bar (8 km). Then there is an uphill walk through Cerbaie Reserve with rare oak trees, wildlife and flowers. Then downhill to the famous Ponte a Cappiano bridge and continue to the hotel.

Highlights

• Pretty little town, Villa Campanile, with an interesting church. (4 km)
• Bridge at Greppi archaeological restoration. (8 km)
• Riserva delle Cerbaie forest rich in wildlife and rare trees. (10 km – 13 km)
• Ponte a Cappiano is Sigeric’s 24th (XXIV) stop, Aqua Nigra. Today there is a pilgrim hostel in one of its towers. Leonardo da Vinci composed a fascinating drawing of the Bridge.

Route Description

This is an easy, level walk surrounded by panoramic scenery with a steep ascent at the end. It begins with a walk to Fucecchio visiting its highlights. Then a level walk through fields and pastures to San Miniato Basso. Visit the town and take a pilgrim break at a bar. Then begin the steep walk along minor roads up to San Miniato where there are many highlights to enjoy.

Highlights

• Piazza Vittorio with its St Christopher mural, Churches and Abbey of San Salvatore.
• Cross the Arno River reminiscent of Sigeric’s XIII, 23rd stop, Arne Blanca or White Arno.
• San Miniato Basso for a rest break and visit to the Chiesa dei Santi Martino e Stefano.
• Spectacular views from the Federico II tower.
• Several piazzas, especially Piazza del Duomo with the Maria Assunta Cathedral.

Route Description

This is a difficult walk mostly along unsealed roads and trails with a steep uphill walk at the end, surrounded by spectacular scenery! There are no bars for rest stops so purchase food and water for the day in San Miniato. Highlights are a visit to Coiano (11 km) Sigeric’s XXI submansion, Sce Peter Currant, and Chianni Sigeric’s XX submansion, Sce Maria Glan (23 km). At the end of the day visit the famous pilgrim Gambassi Terme thermal baths!

Route Description

This walk is average in difficulty with a variety of elevations. The main highlight is being immersed in the Tuscan landscape surrounded by olive groves, Chianti vineyards, cypress trees and views of San Gimignano. There are two sanctuaries to visit at Pancole (7.7 km) and Pieve di Cellole (10 km). Finally, amazing views of San Gimignano! San Gimignano was Sigeric’s 19th stop (XIX), known then as Sce Gemiane. There are many highlights in San Gimignano, especially Ghirlandaio’s frescoes in Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral and the fascinating towers.