Lucignano to Buonconvento

A delightful day walk on a variant of the old Via Francigena pilgrimage route.

The landscape includes forests and meadows littered with ancient farmhouses and hamlets, often perched on knolls and hilltops. It does also include some agribusiness fields. It supports a varied and very characteristic selection of plant and animal life, from wild boar through to mellifluous nightingales, from mixed forests to bosky hedgerows and those classic lines and huddles of cypresses.

This is a mellow yet intriguing wander along valleys and ridges in increasingly rural and beautiful countryside. Gone are the ribbon development of the Siena outskirts and the valley-floor business lots. Eventually, you will drop with regret into the Ombrone valley on a fine path. Buoncovento is built on an old Roman fort, so is rectangular, with a central street winding down its length. A delightful place to linger over lunch.

See William Mackesy's account for a detailed feel of what this walk is like.

For more information and photos, including detailed practical information and some warnings, see our Via Francigena walk pages.