Highlights
- Monteriggioni medieval walls
- Dante's Inferno reference
- Perfect walled village
Stage conditions
| Section | Tuscany (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Abundant |
| Shade | Full |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Colle has no station: Autolinee Toscane line 130 from the Via Bilenchi stop takes you to Poggibonsi station or on to Siena. Monteriggioni is better served than its size suggests. The Castellina in Chianti–Monteriggioni station at Castellina Scalo, about 3 km from the walls, has thirty-seven regional trains a day between Empoli and Siena. Autolinee Toscane lines 130 and 131 stop at Scuole and Colonna di Monteriggioni, each a 500 m walk from the gate — but not every journey stops there, so check the timetable. Buy tickets at a shop or by contactless card on board.
What the season does
The stage data give March to June and September to November and rate shade as full: the route follows the Elsa river park and then woodland to Abbadia a Isola before the short climb to the walls. It is a half day, and the stage data suggests using it for a long lunch. Summer is fine if you start early; autumn is best for the light on the towers. Monteriggioni has very few beds inside the walls and they book out on weekends in season, so reserve — the alternatives are down at Abbadia a Isola and Castellina Scalo.
Safety on this stage
A short, easy day. Underfoot the river path and boardwalks along the Elsa are the only thing to watch after rain, when they become slick; take the lane instead if the river is high. Between Abbadia a Isola and Monteriggioni the route crosses the road into the village — traffic is light but coaches use it. Nothing else on this stage needs more than ordinary care.
Water and food
Abundant in the stage data, but as on the previous stage the regional page says water and refreshments can be sourced only in the towns. Fill up in Colle, look for the fountain at Strove and the bar at Abbadia a Isola, and then you are inside Monteriggioni's walls, where there are cafés and a fountain on the piazza. A litre is enough for the distance unless it is high summer.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory has no entry for Monteriggioni yet. Inside the walls, the Casa per ferie Santa Maria Assunta on Piazza Roma is a parish guesthouse run by volunteers since 2005: twenty-four beds in six rooms, open year round from 3 to 8 pm, kitchen but no meals, booking mandatory, credenziale not required. Two kilometres before the village at Abbadia a Isola, the Ospitale dei Santi Cirino e Giacomo in the old monastery is donation-based pilgrim hospitality, and the Centro Giovanile Don Luigi Profeti at Castellina Scalo is another donation-based option by the station. All three are on the regional hospitality list.
Sources: Visit Tuscany — Leg 32 San Gimignano to Monteriggioni · Visit Tuscany — pilgrim hospitality, leg 32 · Visit Tuscany — Casa per ferie Santa Maria Assunta, Monteriggioni · Camminando sulla Via Francigena — Casa per Ferie Maria Assunta, Monteriggioni · Monteriggioni Turismo — Come arrivare · Wikipedia (it) — Stazione di Castellina in Chianti-Monteriggioni · Autolinee Toscane — line 130 Siena–Poggibonsi–San Gimignano · Visit Tuscany — Useful suggestions before you leave
Common questions
How long is the Colle di Val d'Elsa to Monteriggioni stage?
It is 13.0 km (8.1 mi) and takes about 3.5 hours of walking, from Colle di Val d'Elsa to Monteriggioni.
How hard is Colle di Val d'Elsa to Monteriggioni?
It is rated easy with 250 m of ascent and 150 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Colle di Val d'Elsa to Monteriggioni stage?
Water is abundant along this stage.
How do I get to Colle di Val d'Elsa and away from Monteriggioni?
Colle has no station: Autolinee Toscane line 130 from the Via Bilenchi stop takes you to Poggibonsi station or on to Siena. Monteriggioni is better served than its size suggests. The Castellina in Chianti–Monteriggioni station at Castellina Scalo, about 3 km from the walls, has thirty-seven regional trains a day between Empoli and Siena.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Monteriggioni?
Our directory has no entry for Monteriggioni yet. Inside the walls, the Casa per ferie Santa Maria Assunta on Piazza Roma is a parish guesthouse run by volunteers since 2005: twenty-four beds in six rooms, open year round from 3 to 8 pm, kitchen but no meals, booking mandatory, credenziale not required. Two kilometres before the village at Abbadia a Isola, the Ospitale dei Santi Cirino e Giacomo in the old monastery is donation-based pilgrim hospitality, and the Centro Giovanile Don Luigi Profeti at Castellina Scalo is another donation-based option by the station.
Walk this stage
Open the full stage list to plan the legs either side, browse heritage along the route, or get the free Via Francigena Walk app for offline maps and GPS on the trail.