Highlights
- Porta Camollia entrance
- Siena Piazza del Campo
- Siena Cathedral (Duomo)
- Medieval city centre (UNESCO)
Stage conditions
| Section | Tuscany (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Abundant |
| Shade | Full |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Start from Monteriggioni by the Castellina Scalo station on the Empoli–Siena line, 3 km from the walls, or the Autolinee Toscane 130/131 stops at Scuole and Colonna di Monteriggioni. Siena's station on Piazza Carlo Rosselli is the rail hub of southern Tuscany, with regional trains to Empoli and Florence, Chiusi–Chianciano Terme on the Rome line, and Grosseto via Monte Antico; escalators carry you from the station up into the old city. Florence airport is the nearest hub by road, Pisa by rail via Empoli.
What the season does
The stage data give March to June and September to November, with full shade through the Montagnola Senese woods and then the open reclaimed plain of Pian del Lago, which is hot at midday in summer. Autumn is the classic season. The date that matters is the Palio: the race runs on 2 July and 16 August in the Piazza del Campo, with trials over the three preceding days, and the city is packed and its beds gone for that week — either avoid it or book months ahead. Pilgrim hostels in Siena want reservations at any time of year.
Safety on this stage
The regional page says this stage is short but challenging because of the scarcity of water, and the stage data adds a busy urban approach where you must follow the waymarks carefully. The gravel roads of the Montagnola are easy; the trouble starts after Pian del Lago, where the route threads suburbs and road crossings before Porta Camollia — signs are small among the street furniture, so keep the GPS track handy. Inside the walls the lanes are steep and crowded.
Water and food
The stage data says abundant, but the regional page is explicit that water and refreshments are scarce and tells you to refuel at the La Villa rest point near the Castello della Villa. Fill up in Monteriggioni, use La Villa, and expect nothing across Pian del Lago and the Renai woods until the first bars of the Camollia district. Siena has fountains on many squares and cafés everywhere.
Where pilgrims sleep
The directory's Siena entries — Alma Domus (convent) and the Ostello della Gioventù Siena (pilgrim hostel) — are where you sleep tonight. The region's hospitality list adds the Accoglienza Santa Luisa on Via dei Servi, run by two Daughters of Charity nuns on the route itself: twenty beds, open year round 3–6.30 pm, dinner and breakfast on a donation basis, credenziale mandatory, booking required. The Foresteria San Clemente ai Servi and the Comunità Santa Regina are further donation-based welcomes, and the Casa per ferie San Francesco is a church guesthouse. All fill quickly in spring and autumn.
Sources: Visit Tuscany — Leg 33 Monteriggioni to Siena · Visit Tuscany — pilgrim hospitality, leg 33 · Visit Tuscany — Accoglienza Santa Luisa, Siena · Wikipedia — Siena railway station · Wikipedia (it) — Stazione di Castellina in Chianti-Monteriggioni · Wikipedia — Palio di Siena · Monteriggioni Turismo — Come arrivare · Visit Tuscany — Useful suggestions before you leave
Common questions
How long is the Monteriggioni to Siena stage?
It is 20.0 km (12.4 mi) and takes about 5.5 hours of walking, from Monteriggioni to Siena.
How hard is Monteriggioni to Siena?
It is rated moderate with 350 m of ascent and 300 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Monteriggioni to Siena stage?
Water is abundant along this stage.
How do I get to Monteriggioni and away from Siena?
Start from Monteriggioni by the Castellina Scalo station on the Empoli–Siena line, 3 km from the walls, or the Autolinee Toscane 130/131 stops at Scuole and Colonna di Monteriggioni. Siena's station on Piazza Carlo Rosselli is the rail hub of southern Tuscany, with regional trains to Empoli and Florence, Chiusi–Chianciano Terme on the Rome line, and Grosseto via Monte Antico; escalators carry you from the station up into the old city. Florence airport is the nearest hub by road, Pisa by rail via Empoli.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Siena?
The directory's Siena entries — Alma Domus (convent) and the Ostello della Gioventù Siena (pilgrim hostel) — are where you sleep tonight. The region's hospitality list adds the Accoglienza Santa Luisa on Via dei Servi, run by two Daughters of Charity nuns on the route itself: twenty beds, open year round 3–6.30 pm, dinner and breakfast on a donation basis, credenziale mandatory, booking required. The Foresteria San Clemente ai Servi and the Comunità Santa Regina are further donation-based welcomes, and the Casa per ferie San Francesco is a church guesthouse.
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.