From
Montalcino take the road for S. Antimo, after a bar turn into Via Del
Poggiolo which arrives at the cemetery. Arriving at a fork in the road
follow the red and white walkway signs of the Provincia di Siena which
lead to a rustic farm building where horses graze. Continue the path following
the ditch towards the woods. The path there runs down then rises back
up again before meeting the road again. Turn left to reach the asphalted
road from Montalcino going to Cinigiano; follow this road for a few metres
then take the dirt track, keeping left all the time, which leads to a
particularly beautiful panoramic area looking toward Villa a Tolli with
its precious Romanic church.
The dirt track at this point dips rapidly before joining another mule
track which leads to the magnificent abbey of S. Antimo, the most French
of the Italian abbeys. Leaving the abbey take the direction for Castelnuovo
dell'Abate, near the bar-ristorante take the dirt track which raises to
the left and finally descends towards an almost disued railway (the track
is operational but very rarely, due to the "Treno Natura" initiative)
along the tract which runs between the station at M. Amiata and that of
S.Giovanni d'Asso. Following the red arrows there, cross the railway track
and climb up the other side in to the bushwood. Continue until arriving
at a rustic farm building. Here continue along the path before finally
arriving at the beautiful castle of Ripa D' Orcia which can be seen in
the distance.
After visiting the castle continue the ascent, passing a small chapel
dating back from the 1600's, until finally reaching a fork in the road.
Here via off to the right and follow the path down to the fortified village
of Vignoni Alta. The descent down to the borgo of Vignoni Alta is a great
experience. After a well earned rest around the famous historical spring
water baths of Santa Caterina, nowadays out of use, we suggest a walk
to visit the limestone formations.
Track |
Montalcino - Bagno Vignoni |
Length: |
21 km |
Duration |
5.30 hours |
Assent |
m 400 |
Descent |
m 280 |
Walkway signs |
"Sentieristica guidata Provincia di
Siena" |
Info |
Rooms only Castagni Minerva - Bagno Pignoni.
Tel. 0577/88261
Albergo Le Terme tel. 0577/887150
Posta Marcucci tel. 0577/887112 |
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