Trekking in Val d’Orcia: along the via Cassia

Tuscany is a land of a thousand faces: the dirt paths surrounded by a thousand cypresses in the hills are the favorite destination for trekking lovers and cyclists.

Here you will find a unique panorama, perfect to be discovered slowly, at a walking pace, enjoying every magnificent view and the nature around you. Combine healthy physical activity with the exploration of a wonderful area, and don’t forget to stop in some cellar where you can taste the wine and products of this land!
Slowly, step by step, among nature, ancient abbeys and castles, vineyards and wheat fields you can enjoy these wonderful views and walk inside a postcard.

Today we will travel the SR 2, that is the ancient Roman via Cassia that from San Quirico d’Orcia will lead us to the village of Radicofani. The route is long and with a fairly important climb, so we recommend this route to moderately trained enthusiasts.

Length 28.5 km (total 57 km)

Duration 6h 15 min (total 12h 30)

Medium difficulty

Trekking in Val d’Orcia: along the via Cassia

Obviously, given the overall length of the route, you can take part of the route and then return by bus. The departure is San Quirico d’Orcia. Here, shortly after Torrenieri, the Via Cassia passes next to one of the most famous views of the Val d’Orcia: the group of cypresses emerging from the rolling hills. Unmissable!

The next stop on the ancient Roman road leads us to Bagno Vignoni, with its magnificent Piazza delle Sorgenti, a square entirely occupied by a huge pool of thermal water. Bagno Vignoni is a unique spa village, which you cannot miss! From here begins the most spectacular stretch of the Via Cassia, where you can also take a small detour to visit Castiglione d’Orcia and Rocca d’Orcia. From Bagno Vignoni continue to follow the Via Cassia surrounded by a sea of cultivated fields until the junction for Radicofani. Then you begin the climb towards the splendid fortress of Radicofani, from whose tower you can enjoy an incomparable view over the whole Val d’Orcia. Your destination will be a village steeped in history and mysteries, in fact Radicofani is linked to the history of the infamous Ghino di Tacco, a Sienese Ghibelline rebel. He took refuge in the Rocca di Radicofani, from which you can take in the whole valley with your eyes, before returning back to San Quirico d’Orcia.