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 Total Distance: 14 km
Time Biking: 1-1/2 hours up, 40min return
Time Walking: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: 3 steep uphill stretches. Downhill
return
This route follows the old Appian way, a medieval
pilgrimage route for travellers between France and
Spain.
The route leaves Certaldo and takes the dirt road
for Pancole with excellent views as you climb
looking back to Certaldo and the old town. After
some distance you also get views of San Gimignano.
After 2kms you come to the church of Canonica
where a double row of cypress trees begins leading
to Villa del Monte. It's a further 2.5km of
undulating road to La Piazzetta, a small borgo of
houses and finally Pancole. This small town is a
17th century sanctuary rebuilt after WWII. A
chapel was built here in recognition of the
visitation of the Virgin Mary in 1670.
 From here it's not far to the famous medieval town
of San Gimignano. The town once had 72 towers but the wealth,
strength and influence displayed by them was
considered a temptation for someone to take over
the town, so most were destroyed and now only 14
remain. The town features a
medieval torture museum that is not for the faint
hearted, ancient churches and wells. If you don't
want to walk back it is possible to get a bus and
train connection back to Certaldo via Poggibonsi,
or a single local bus late in the afternoon. If you are riding the journey
back is an easy downhill.
This route is described as the Medieval Hills walk in Lonely Planet's "Walking in Italy"
guide.
Ask our staff for other walking and biking routes
on arrival.
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