Hike Colle di Val d’Elsa – San Gimignano
A very scenic hike along a stretch of the ancient Via Francigena. Declared a ‘Cultural Route’ by the Council of Europe, the Via Francigena was an ancient medieval road linking the ‘Land of the Franks’ with Rome. A road 1,600 km long! Rome was in the Middle Ages, and still is, one of the three most important Christian places, together with Santiago de Compostela and Jerusalem. This is also why the Via Francigena was very popular with pilgrims and travellers.
We will walk along one of the most beautiful and scenic stretches of the Via Francigena, the one leading from Colle di Val d’Elsa (266 m) to the small town of San Gimignano (303 m). Descending and ascending the hills between the two towns, we will encounter lonely farms and farmhouses, vineyards and olive groves, rows of cypress trees, and see in the distance the towered town of San Gimignano slowly approaching us. Of course we will also visit this UNESCO World Heritage town. We cannot return home without having strolled through the medieval Piazza della Cisterna with its ancient towers and the Piazza del Duomo!
Level of difficulty: Medium – 13 km – 400 m ↑ – 330 m ↓ – 3½ h
Fee: €325.- per group for up to 20 people
On request I can organise a transfer service for families and small groups. Please contact me for further information.