Self-Guided Montalcino Hiking visits Pienza and Montepulciano

Price
US$ 1,150 per person
(Single Supplement)

Traveling alone?
Join a self-guided tour that has already been scheduled. We can’t run self-guided trips for one person, but we may have already booked a self-guided tour that works for you. More info

Group of three?
Tour prices are based on double room occupancy. Groups of three on self-guided trips have two options:
Option 1: Request a triple room. With a triple there is no single supplement. Option 2: Pay a single supplement (US$ 50/night) for the single room.

Dates
Any date from March 1 to October 31

6 Days, 5 Nights

Route Rating
Moderate to Challenging: 5-9 miles (8-15 km) per day of hiking with some steep ascents/descents.

Start / Finish
Montalcino / Montefollonico

Highlights

Thermal Baths, Bagno Vignoni
Ercolani Wine Cellars
Montalcino castle
Gregorian chants, Sant' Antimo
The town of Pienza
The hill town of Montepulciano

What's Included

All lodging
All breakfasts
Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
Private shuttle on Day 2 to Sant'Antimo
5 beautiful hikes
Route notes and map
Use of cell phone for emergencies

Cancellations: Terms and Conditions

» Tour Summary
» Map and Distances
» Hotels
» Photos

Wineries and Castles

What if it rains?

If you prefer not to hike you can easily get to your next stop by public transport. Hourly trains connect Levanto and the five villages of the Cinque Terre. Frequent ferries run between Riomaggiore and Portovenere.

Why Self-Guided?
Explore Southern Tuscany at your own pace. We provide detailed route notes, a cell phone, luggage transfers, great accommodations, restaurant suggestions, and sightseeing notes. You choose the dates. We take care of the details.

Self-Guided Montalcino Hiking

This self-guided hiking tour takes you on a five-day walk from Montalcino to Montefollonico. You hike on quiet country footpaths as you explore the best of southern Tuscany. Your tour begins in the hill town of Montalcino, home of Italy’s best red wine, the Brunello. Explore the castle of Montalcino, climbing its wall for spectacular views. On Day two relax in the soothing thermal waters of Bagno Vignoni, an ancient spa. Day three takes you to the town of Pienza, built by a Pope to represent the perfect Renaissance city. Explore Pienza and try a local pasta called pici. A walk through rolling fields of corn and wheat takes you to Montepulciano, home of the Vino Nobile. Tour the cavernous cellers of the Redi Winery and sample their oak aged ruby ride wine. Your tour ends in the picturesque walled village of Montefollonico. Strolling down a footpath on your way to an ancient village you will experience Tuscany as it should be, peaceful and astonishingly beautiful.

Day 1 Montalcino Travel on your own to Montalcino (busses depart from Siena). Montalcino is best known for its Brunello wine, one of the world’s best reds. Explore the castle of Montalcino. Optional hike through vineyards and olive groves.

Day 2 Bagno Vignoni Private shuttle to the Sant’Antimo abbey, Tuscany’s most beautiful Romanesque church. We can schedule your shuttle so you can hear Gregorian chants at the abbey. Hike past a castle and ancient quarries on your way to Bagno Vignoni, a thermal spa. Swim or soak in the soothing hot waters.

Day 3 Pienza Your walk to Pienza takes you through rolling fields of corn and wheat. In places the path is still lined with squared-off stones laid by Romans 2,000 years ago. Walk past rustic stone farmhouses surrounded by stately cypress trees. Pienza was built in three years beginning in 1459 at the behest of Pope Pius II who decided to transform his birthplace into a utopian town.

Day 4 Montepulciano Hike to the castle of Monticchiello for lunch. Later arrive in Montepulciano, home to another great red, the Vino Nobile. Tour the Redi Winery, Tuscany's oldest wine consortium, and sample their best vintages. To visit a second winery head to the Cantina Contucci.

Day 5 and 6 Montefollonico A three-hour hike takes you to the perfectly preserved hamlet of Montefollonico. With its twisty cobblestone streets, Montefollonico has retained its Medieval air. Your tour ends in Montefollonico. A private shuttle (included in the tour price) takes you to the Chiusi train station (on a main north/south train line).