The beauty of the Val d’Orcia invites you to fully immerse yourself in nature. However, safety and the awareness of one’s own limitations must never be overlooked.
Too many people venture out on hikes and power-assisted bicycle outings, or they rent vintage cars or scooters, without adequate knowledge of the trails. Therefore, we recommend looking into the duration, the level of difficulty and the gradient of the trails, as well as temperatures, weather conditions, equipment and clothing required, paying particular attention to footwear and water supplies, before embarking on each experience.
The Pienza area offers numerous hiking trails, suitable for most people. Nevertheless, the hilly territory has slopes that can be tiring for those unaccustomed to this type of terrain.
Circular routes are generally thought to be more satisfying, as they offer panoramic views that are never repetitive, allowing you to visit more places in the same amount of time.
However, a round-trip is not to be underestimated, both because the lighting and the perspectives will vary throughout the day and because it is easier to measure the distances covered or to be covered on the return journey. For these reasons, we recommend a round-trip itinerary for beginners or for those who are not particularly fit. Walks of this type allow you to reach popular attractions, such as the beautiful Vitaleta Chapel and the locations of the film Gladiator.
By bicycle
For those who already have experience with a power-assisted bicycle and want to spend a full day exploring the scenery around Pienza, a good route is the Pienza-Monticchiello-San Quirico d`Orcia-Pienza circular trail (about 35 km).
Starting from the centre of Pienza, exit the walls at Porta al Santo and descend along the SP18 provincial road towards Monticchiello. You can either follow the paved road or opt for the less-used unpaved local road (SC Pienza-Monticchiello). If you choose the paved road, continue right toward the cathedral apse, with a recommended stop at the nearby Romanesque parish church of Corsignano, which has been mentioned in documents since the 8th century. The circular bell tower and the reliefs on the façade are typical of a primitive and symbolic art form that is still highly evocative today.
In the second case, by proceeding left, you will be taking the dirt road that descends into the valley and then climbs to the Casa al Piano farm. From there, you will come to Monticchiello, where you can stop and visit the village, with its surrounding walls and the beautiful central church dedicated to Saints Leonard and Christopher, rich in medieval and Renaissance frescoes by unknown artists. The view from Monticchiello is unparalleled. From here, you descend along the SP88 provincial road in the Rome direction. Once again, you can stay on the paved road (SP18 provincial road) or venture along an unpaved road. In the latter case, you will need to climb uphill towards Pienza and then take the unpaved road on the left leading to the Il Casalino and Selvoli farms.
Both lead to the valley floor, along the SP53 provincial road, where it isn’t hard to find one of the dirt paths taking you to the banks of the Orcia River. The ride continues towards San Quirico d’Orcia. For those who want to extend their route, the romantic spa town of Bagno Vignoni can be included, which features a warm water bath in the centre of town.
San Quirico d’Orcia, an ancient stop along the Via Francigena, unfolds along the road axis now called Via Dante Alighieri, at either end of which stand two jewels of Romanesque architecture: the small Parish Church of Sante Marie and the Collegiate Church of Santi Quirico e Giulitta. Along with Palazzo Chigi, built in the late 17th century by the cardinal of the same name to accommodate high-ranking travellers and now the home of the town hall, it forms the backdrop to a triangular square of remarkable beauty.
In the centre of the village, in Piazza della Libertà, you will find the main entrance to the Horti Leonini, Renaissance gardens on two levels. The lower level features an Italian-style garden with box hedges, while the upper level is a wooded park with a clearing used for public events, like the archery competition at the Festa del Barbarossa. The gardens were designed in the second half of the 16th century by the local prelate Diomede Leoni, to offer rest, refreshment and shade to travellers.
To return to Pienza, follow the SP146 provincial road, where the cypress-lined avenue of Poggio Manzuoli, known as the Gladiator’s House from Ridley Scott’s film, branches off to the left. A few kilometres further on, on the right, you will find the iconic chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta.
The etymology of the word “Vitaleta” comes from the Latin, meaning “happy life”. Built in the 16th century by the rural community to celebrate the wheat harvest at the end of August, it was renovated in the 19th century and was only recently reopened to the public. Its simple travertine façade with cypress trees standing alongside it evokes paintings from centuries past. The chapel originally contained a glazed terracotta statue by Andrea della Robbia, which was believed to be miraculous and is now kept in the Church of San Francesco in San Quirico.
The alternative unpaved road leading from San Quirico to Pienza passes through the Fornaci area and the Il Rigo farm, again running alongside the Vitaleta Chapel.
