Highlights
- San Gimignano medieval towers (UNESCO)
- Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine
- Piazza della Cisterna
- Medieval Manhattan skyline
Stage conditions
| Section | Tuscany (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Moderate |
| Shade | Full |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
No train serves either town. Gambassi Terme is reached by Autolinee Toscane lines 33 (from Empoli station via Castelfiorentino and Certaldo) and 80 (from Castelfiorentino), both infrequent. San Gimignano is linked by Autolinee Toscane line 130, which runs from the Porta San Giovanni stop down to Poggibonsi railway station on the Empoli–Siena line and on through Colle Val d'Elsa to Siena. Poggibonsi–San Gimignano station has regional trains only. Pisa airport via Pisa Centrale and Empoli is the nearest hub; Florence is the other obvious gateway.
What the season does
The stage data give April to June and September to October, and the shade is full, so this short day is comfortable in most weather. The seasonal problem is people, not sun: the stage notes warn that San Gimignano is very crowded with tourists in summer and tells you to arrive early — good advice for beds as well as for the piazzas, since pilgrim rooms are few. In spring the vineyards around Pancole and Collemucioli are at their best; in October the harvest is on. Wet weather makes the dirt sections heavy but never dangerous.
Safety on this stage
An easy day by the stage data, with modest climbs. The regional page puts more than half the leg on unpaved roads and cart tracks and the rest on quiet tarmac, so the only real caution is crossing and briefly following the provincial road near Pancole and on the final approach to the town walls, where coaches and cars converge. Inside San Gimignano, mind the crowds on the narrow lanes with a pack on your back.
Water and food
Water is moderate and the regional page is specific: water is available at Pancole, and there are no other refreshment points along the route. Fill up in Gambassi Terme, top up at the Pancole sanctuary, and carry enough for the ridge to Cellole and the town. San Gimignano itself has fountains and cafés on every square, though at tourist prices.
Where pilgrims sleep
The directory's entries for San Gimignano — the Convento di Sant'Agostino (convent) and the Agriturismo Il Vecchio Maneggio (farm stay) — are here at the finish. The Augustinians at Sant'Agostino offer four single rooms on a donation basis and accept only pilgrims with a credenziale and a letter from their parish. The region lists the Monastero San Girolamo, run by Vallombrosan Benedictine nuns on Via Folgore da San Gimignano, right on the route: thirty-three beds, lift, credenziale accepted but not required, booking by email preferred. Book ahead in season.
Sources: Visit Tuscany — Leg 31 Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano · Visit Tuscany — pilgrim hospitality, leg 31 · Camminando sulla Via Francigena — Convento di Sant'Agostino, San Gimignano · Visit Tuscany — Monastero San Girolamo, San Gimignano · Autolinee Toscane — line 130 Siena–Poggibonsi–San Gimignano · Autolinee Toscane — line 33 Empoli–Montaione · Wikipedia (it) — Stazione di Poggibonsi-San Gimignano · Visit Tuscany — Useful suggestions before you leave
Common questions
How long is the Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano stage?
It is 14.0 km (8.7 mi) and takes about 4 hours of walking, from Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano.
How hard is Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano?
It is rated moderate with 300 m of ascent and 200 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano stage?
There is a moderate amount of water along this stage — carry enough between resupply points.
How do I get to Gambassi Terme and away from San Gimignano?
No train serves either town. Gambassi Terme is reached by Autolinee Toscane lines 33 (from Empoli station via Castelfiorentino and Certaldo) and 80 (from Castelfiorentino), both infrequent. San Gimignano is linked by Autolinee Toscane line 130, which runs from the Porta San Giovanni stop down to Poggibonsi railway station on the Empoli–Siena line and on through Colle Val d'Elsa to Siena.
Where do pilgrims sleep in San Gimignano?
The directory's entries for San Gimignano — the Convento di Sant'Agostino (convent) and the Agriturismo Il Vecchio Maneggio (farm stay) — are here at the finish. The Augustinians at Sant'Agostino offer four single rooms on a donation basis and accept only pilgrims with a credenziale and a letter from their parish. The region lists the Monastero San Girolamo, run by Vallombrosan Benedictine nuns on Via Folgore da San Gimignano, right on the route: thirty-three beds, lift, credenziale accepted but not required, booking by email preferred.
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.