From Pisa, with its imposing tower and its magnificent baptistery, this tour will take you along a stretch of the Via Francigena, the medieval pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome.
Following in the footsteps of the medieval pilgrims, you will go through extraordinary landscapes in the middle of rolling hills, scattered with castles, fortresses and abbeys.
After crossing San Miniato, a place much beloved by emperors and popes, located in the Arno Valley, you will finally reach Siena, with its wonderful square.
Day 1: Pisa
Individual arrival in Pisa.
Much of Pisa's centre is now a UNESCO world heritage site, the city has a long and tumultuous history as one of the great Italian maritime republics.
Today Pisa is one of Italy's top university towns with a wealth of historical sites, but it isn't just museums, the city also boasts a vibrant and colourful cultural scene.
Day 2: Pisa - Lucca (30/45 km)
Cycling through the countryside around Pisa, you join the Serchio river as far as Lucca.
Today's stage can be extended by taking an alternative route, skirting Lake Massaciuccoli and taking in the Chiarone Nature Reserve.
Day 3: Lucca - San Miniato (45 km)
Starting from Piazza Anfiteatro in the heart of Lucca, we join the Via Francigena proper.
Along the route, the ancient abbey of Pozzeveri, south of the Serchio, rises along a stretch which was notoriously challenging for early pilgrims, its dense forest swamped in marshland.
Day 4: San Miniato - Colle Val d'Elsa (25/60 km)
Continue along the valleys and banks of the Elsa river, past the castles that once ensured safe passage to the pilgrims of the Via Francigena.
Shortly before reaching Colle Val d'Elsa, you look forward to the appearance in the distance of San Gimignano, the medieval burgh celebrated for its extraordinary skyline of towers
Day 5: Colle Val d'Elsa to Siena (25/60 km)
Head for Montagnola Senese, home to the historic clifftop castle of Monteriggioni, which once defended the armies of the Republic of Siena.
The heart of Siena, Piazza del Campo, is a short ride away now. Here a historic bareback horse race takes place twice a year: the Palio di Siena.
Day 6: Siena - Monteroni d'Arbia - Siena (20/45 km)
The Via Francigena continues south following the ancient Cassian Way - the Roman route that once linked Florence and Rome - traversing one of the most picturesque stretches of Tuscany: the Crete Senesi. From Monteroni d'Alba you can return to Siena by bus or train, or simply cycle on and up through the gentle "Clays", their moonscape lined with cypress trees and dotted with solitary shepherds' huts
Day 7: Siena
After breakfast, end of tour
The itinerary poses an intermediate challenge and follows wherever possible the pilgrim way. You cycle mainly along quiet roads with occasional stretches of rough (but comfortable) track. The early stages are essentially on level land; from San Miniato as far as Siena the hilly landscape is steadily undulating, with climbs of intermediate difficulty. Easy to Moderate: some days flat, others with some hills. Suitable for anyone with some cycling experience.
Total distance cycled: 255 km
Starting point of the cycling holiday: Pisa
Route Map (For guidance only):
Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
Route Overview (For guidance only):
Brief itinerary: | Route Profile |
Day 2: Pisa-Lucca (30/45 km, elevation up 20/300 m) | The route is not difficult and is mainly on side roads and bike path along the river Serchio. The alternative route to the Massaciuccoli lake presents some unpaved stretches and becomes slightly undulating. |
Day 3: Lucca-San Miniato (45 km, elevation up 220 m) | From the square Piazza Anfiteatro you finally begin to follow the Via Francigena along the so-called Piana di Lucca. After the village of Altopascio you will encounter the mild up and downs of the Cerbaie hills. The last uphill stretch to reach San Miniato follows the pilgrims’ path and therefore you will have to walk. |
Day 4: San Miniato-Colle Val d’Elsa (25/60 km, elevation up 480/940 m) |
Attention: very challenging stage especially in the first part until Gambassi Terme. From the little town Castel Fiorentino begins a rise of 5km and will lead you to Gambassi Terme. A long downhill will lead you again to the valley floor close to Certaldo and the road begins to rise again till San Gimignano and finally Colle Val Certaldo and the road begins to rise again till San Gimignano and finally Colle Val d’Elsa. |
Day 5: Colle Val d’Elsa-Siena (30 km, elevation up 380 m) | Short and easy stage. There are some parts on unpaved path and some short rise between Colle Val d’Elsa and Monteriggioni. For short parts you have to cycle along the busy strada SR2 Via Cassia Nord. |
Day 6: Siena-Siena (20/45 km, dislivello 100/500 m) |
The Via Francigena descends from the hills of Siena following the ancient trace of the via Cassia. Until Monteroni d’Arbia there are no difficulties. On the way back the route goes up and down with steep slopes across the beautiful landscape of the crete senesi. To avoid this last part you can go back to Siena with a transfer by train from Monteroni d’Arbia. |
We recommend flying to Pisa or Florence airport or another suitable airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or for Rail Europe travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
The Pisa to Siena cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.
Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
Not Included
About the bikes
Tough, stable and reliable, specially designed for you to saddle up for several days on the trot. Girolibero bikes are citybikes with an aluminium frame and kitted with responsive brakes and gears. Plus: mudguards, trip computers, comfort gel saddles, flat-palmed grips, Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tyres.
27-gear Unisex Citybike
A low entry unisex frame, ideal for an upright but relaxed riding position. The number of gears varies by destination. In Italy, for instance, standard bikes have 27 gears, while in northern Europe they are generally fitted with 7 gears and a pedal brake (although bikes with more gears and conventional breaks can sometimes be requested).
27-gear Men's Citybike
Citybike with men's frame. The design and number of gears varies from country to country. As with unisex bikes, for example, bikes for our Italian tours have 21/24 gears, while in northern Europe they are usually fitted with 7 gears and a pedal brake (although bikes with more gears and conventional breaks can sometimes be requested).
Electric Bike Upgrades
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on +44 (0) 800 703 8161.
Bosch Active Line
Low-entry frame
Bosch batteries Power Packs of top safety and long life (36 V - 13,4 Ah Capacity - 500 Wh available power).
Bosch motor Active Line, located centrally (250 Watt, engine torque 50 Nm).
Gears: Shimano Deore 9-speed.
Range: approx 90 km (flat terrain, average speed).
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use. We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday.
This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.
Please note that the hotel list is subject to change and should be used as a guide only. We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival.
Pisa to Siena | Sample Hotel List |
Pisa | AC Hotel Pisa |
Lucca | Hotel San Marco Lucca |
San Miniato | Hotel San Miniato |
Colle Di Val D'Elsa | Hotel La Vecchia Cartiera |
Siena | Hotel Italia Siena |
You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.
You can now book this cycling holiday online using our secure booking engine. Book online here >>
Season | Date Band | Arrival Day |
Season 1: | 27.03. to 23.04.2020 | 25.09 to 09.10.2020 | Saturdays |
Season 2: | 24.04. to 14.05.2020 | 05.09 to 24.09.2020 | Saturdays |
Season 3: | 15.05. to 04.09.2020 | Saturdays |
Season: | Prices per person including bike hire |
Season 1: | £585 |
Season 2: | £660 |
Season 2: | £700 |
Single Room Supplement: | £185 |
Bike Type | Price |
Touring bike | £80.00 |
E-bike | £185.00 |
Category Type | Accommodation Overview |
Category Information: | 3* and 4* hotels. 2* hotel in Lucca. |
Location | Prices from (DBL/BB) | (SGL/PP) |
Pisa: | £55 pp/pn | £85pp/pn |
Siena: | £55 pp/pn | £85pp/pn |
Date From | Date To |
---|---|
27 March 2021 | 09 October 2021 |