San Gimignano to Rome:Via Francigena Women's Walk with Laura Harris,
September 23 - October 11, 2025

Overview

St Catherine of Siena is the focus of this walk on the Via Francigena that connects her cities – Siena where she was born and Rome where part of her remains reside. Along with St Francis, she is the patron saint of Italy and beloved in her home country. This walk from San Gimignano to Rome connects fabulous Tuscan cities like San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, and Siena, with beautiful towns of Lazio, like Viterbo and Sutri, before bringing pilgrims to the Eternal City of Rome. It’s designed to give women the opportunity to walk together and study one of the world’s great women saints.

“Be who you were created to be, and you will set the world on fire.” – St. Catherine of Siena

A pilgrimage is a sacred journey to a foreign place in search of a new understanding of self and life. This walk in the footsteps of St. Catherine of Siena, patron saint of Italy, offers a chance to reflect and learn from a woman who nearly 700 years ago found her voice and lived true to her calling. Join a small group of women on an adventure to deepen the connection to our own authentic voices and hearts through days of walking, good food, contemplative exercises and sharing. This time dedicated to self-reflection, fellowship, and fun will instill a fresh sense of confidence, hope, and clarity. -Laura Harris

Map of the route

Daily Itinerary

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 - Gather in San Gimignano

Description

Plan to arrive early in San Gimignano so that you have time to see the sights, most important the Collegiate Church for its outstanding pre-Renaissance frescoes. In the late afternoon you’ll gather at your hotel for an orientation and get-acquainted. Afterward it’s dinner and off to bed to prep for the first day of walking

distance: 0 km

ascent: 0 m

descent: 0 m

% hard surfaces: 0

difficulty rating: 0

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Wednesday, September 24, 2025 - San Gimignano To Colle Di Val D'Elsa

Description

This is a day of Tuscan hills and vales. Nothing that steep, but nothing that flat, either! You’ll see vineyards, fields and the iconic cypress trees, then land in Colle di Val d’Elsa, a town that time forgot and the tourists never heard of. Overnight in Colle di Val d’Elsa or head just out of town to take a dip on the amazing and beautiful Sentierelsa, am unforgettable riverside walk with boulder crossings and swimming holes.

distance: 17.0 km

ascent: 294 m

descent: 448 m

% hard surfaces: 50%

difficulty rating: 7

Thursday, September 25, 2025 - Colle Di Val D'Elsa To Monteriggioni

Description

The town of Monteriggioni is one of Tuscany’s treasures, with its 14 Renaissance towers and connecting walls encircling a tiny village. It’s easy to imagine you’re in a time long ago, when Siena was fighting Florence for dominance in this area. Today it’s a brisk walk uphill to the fortress/village, but the views make every step worthwhile. Overnight in or near Monteriggioni.

distance: 14.9 km

ascent: 268 m

descent: 202 m

% hard surfaces: 44%

difficulty rating: 6

Friday, September 26, 2025 – Monteriggioni to Siena

Description

We make our way through fields and over hills to the beautiful city of Siena, a well-preserved medieval city with a young vibe due to the university located within its walls. Overnight in Siena.

distance: 20.4 km

ascent: 368 m

descent: 300 m

% hard surfaces: 42%

difficulty rating: 6

Saturday, September 27, Rest Day In Siena

Description

You are free to explore this lovely city, and tonight dinner is on your own so now’s your chance to explore its gastronomy as well. We suggest taking time to visit the Duomo, one of Italy’s loveliest churches, as well as the Scala Museum and, if there’s time, to head to the Palazzo Communale to see the famous frescoes of “Bad Government” and “Good Government.” Adventures will want either to climb the Duomo Museum’s facade walls or the Torre di Mangia above Piazza del Campo for a Birds Eye view of the city and its green surroundings.

distance: 0 km

ascent: 0 m

descent: 0 m

% hard surfaces: 0

difficulty rating: 0

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Sunday, September 28, 2025 – Siena To Buonconvento

Description

The Crete Senese, the grey-soiled farmland south of Siena and north of the Val d’Orcia is our setting for today’s walk. We make our way downhill from Siena and instantly are surrounded by sweeping views of countryside all around. Ponte d’Arbia offers a bar/cafe but not much else, so we take the van to our overnight in Buonconvento, a very charming medieval village 5km away. Overnight Buonconvento.

distance: 30.5 km

ascent: 324 m

descent: 508 m

% hard surfaces: 34%

difficulty rating: 7

Monday, September 29, 2025 - Buonconvent to San Quirico d'Orcia

Description

Now we enter the agricultural Orcia Valley that was made famous in scenes from movies like “Gladiator.” Rolling hills, arrow-straight cypress trees, vast green or golden fields, and vineyards on the hillsides, here producing the Brunello of Montalcino wines that make the area famous. Overnight in San Quirico d’Orcia.

distance: 21.6 km

ascent: 577 m

descent: 312 m

% hard surfaces: 27%

difficulty rating: 7

Tuesday, September 30, 2025 - San Quirico D’Orcia To Gallena

Description

San Quirico d’Orcia to Galena. Again it’s downhill, this time to the Orcia Valley floor, but by way of the famous Bagno Vignoni, baths beloved by St Catherine of Siena. At the valley floor we head to an overnight at Galena to rest before the long ascent the next day.

distance: 16.7 km

ascent: 436 m

descent: 486 m

% hard surfaces: 13%

difficulty rating: 7

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 - Gallina to Radicofani

Description

The long climb to Gallina includes vast views of the Orcia Valley, with a climb to the famous bandit’s tower at Radicofani. Overnight Radicofani.

distance: 16.1 km

ascent: 575 m

descent: 147 m

% hard surfaces: 39%

difficulty rating: 8

Thursday, October 2, 2025 - Radicofani to Acquapendente

Description

After a long downhill from Radicofani we leave Tuscany and enter to Lazio, whose capital is Rome. The scenery begins to change and volcanic topography of ridges and lakes begins to appear, with charming Acquapendente today’s overnight.

distance: 23.1 km

ascent: 269 m

descent: 674 m

% hard surfaces: 52%

difficulty rating: 7

Friday, October 3, 2025 - Acquapendente to Bolsena

Description

In the Middle Ages the town of Acquapendente was famous for the miracle of the blood, today a relic housed in the crypt of the San Sepolcro Church. After viewing the ancient crypt we walk to San Lorenzo Nuovo for our first view of Lago di Bolsena, a lake that fills the ancient crater of a volcano. We pass through forests and olive groves, before entering this lakeside town by passing alongside its Renaissance-era fortress.

distance: 23.1 km

ascent: 326 m

descent: 384 m

% hard surfaces: 25%

difficulty rating: 7

Saturday, October 4, 2025 - Bolsena to Montefiascone

Description

Leaving the lakeshore we walk to the crater’s outer ridge where the town of Montefiascone can be found. The town was a fortress of the Papacy and also well known for its “Est, Est, Est” white wines.

distance: 18.1 km

ascent: 583 m

descent: 305 m

% hard surfaces: 37%

difficulty rating: 7

Sunday, October 5, 2025 - Montefiascone to Viterbo

Description

We look out for the last time over Lago di Bolsena on our way out of Montefiascone, walking downhill on the original pavers of the Roman road, the Via Cassia. From there we cross the valley, stopping if it’s open at Bagnaccio hot springs (it’s currently closed for construction). Then we enter Viterbo, once home to the Popes and now an undiscovered jewel of medieval streets, palaces and churches.

distance: 18.1 km

ascent: 156 m

descent: 430 m

% hard surfaces: 24%

difficulty rating: 7

Monday, October 6, 2025 - Viterbo to Vetralla

Description

We take the official route through San Martino al Cimino which carries us through lush forests to the quiet, Lazio town of Vetralla. This typical city, typical of Lazio and under the sway of the Pope in Rome for centuries, is now a picturesque, sleepy town in the rolling hills of the countryside.

distance: 16.7 km

ascent: 239 m

descent: 263 m

% hard surfaces: 51%

difficulty rating: 7

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - Vetralla to Sutri

Description

Sutri is the capital of Etruscan archeology, and we take time to visit the archeological park and amphitheater after a walk through farms, vineyards and orchards, ending in a creekside and shady entry to Sutri.

distance: 24.0 km

ascent: 329 m

descent: 339 m

% hard surfaces: 30%

difficulty rating: 7

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 - Sutri to Campagnano di Roma

Description

We become acquainted with the lowly hazelnut, making our way through vast orchards in the largest hazelnut producing region of Italy. Deep in one orchard are the two, mysterious “Towers of Orlando,” linked to Charlemagne’s beloved friend, Roland. Campagnano di Roma is abuzz in its piazza with evening life, so we enjoy a passeggiata and optional gelato in the evening, alfresco (weather permitting).

distance: 27.5 km

ascent: 331 m

descent: 354 m

% hard surfaces: 43%

difficulty rating: 7

Thursday, October 9, 2025 - Campagnano di Roma to La Storta

Description

The Parco Veio, a large Etruscan archeological park, is our context for much of today’s walk, and though we are nearing Rome, the walk is forests, pastures, and the occasional small town, like Formello, with its delightful medieval quarter. La Storta overnight.

distance: 24.3 km

ascent: 395 m

descent: 508 m

% hard surfaces: 48%

difficulty rating: 7

Friday, October 10, 2025 - La Storta to Rome

Description

Bella Roma. Bella Italia. We say our final goodbye to the Via Cassia and make our way into Rome through the Insugherata Nature Preserve and the Monte Mario Park. Then it’s to the Vatican and St Peter’s for our completion certificates. In the late afternoon, we take a walking tour through some of the top sites of Rome, including the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and most importantly, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, site of the Roman remains of St. Catherine of Siena.

distance: 18.9 km

ascent: 168 m

descent: 308 m

% hard surfaces: 66%

difficulty rating: 7