2024 Group Tours - Pilgrim Paths

September 4, 2023 • 2 Comments

Early Bird Reservations Now Open for our exciting 2024 group pilgrimage trek offerings!

Dear Pilgrim Paths Community ~

We’re very excited about our 2024 group trek (and cycle) offerings! While we don’t have all the prices yet, given the high demand for our group pilgrimage treks we’re opening up Early Bird Registrations with a refundable €500 deposit. This year we’ll be on the Via Francigena, the Via di Francesco, the Via Podiensis, and the Camino Portugués in Italy, Switzerland, France, Portugal and Spain. Here’s a look at our offerings. Click on each photo for more information and follow the links to register and reserve your spot!

April 2024

One of our most popular walks, Laura Harris leads this serene and verdant encounter with nature and the story of St Francis of Assisi. Learn more>>>

Author Russ Eanes leads pilgrims through the heart of St Francis territory, ending in beloved and beautiful Assisi.

May 2024

Olive groves and quaint villages are the prelude to a triumphal entry into the Eternal City of Rome. Watch water spill over the largest humanmade waterfall in the world.

From Lucca to Siena participants experience the heartland of Tuscany with its rolling hills and picturesque villages, including San Gimignano and Monteriggioni.

June 2024

The Camino de Santiago’s most popular access route is through France on the Via Podiensis. It’s a fairytale walk through forests, farmlands, and idyllic villages.

The journey through France on the Via Francigena is made simple by bike. Our group covers 900km in a little more than two weeks and absorbs the beautiful history and scenery all along the way.

August 2024

Our walk over the Great St Bernard Pass is very popular because of the Alpine scenery, the variety of terrain, and the glorious crossing at Great St Bernard Pass. This year we offer two groups!

The wonders of Renaissance Florence make it one of the most-visited cities in Italy. And Assisi is a favorite of those looking for a well-preserved and beautiful medieval town. In between are the forest and sanctuaries of mountainous Tuscany and Umbria, beloved by St. Francis of Assisi.

September 2024

The life of St Catherine of Siena is at the heart of this adventure through Tuscany and Lazio on the Via Francigena led by Laura Harris.

St Francis was commanded by the Pope to journey to Rome, and this tour follows in his footsteps, connecting places important in his life and ministry.

October 2024

The fastest-growing itinerary of the Camino de Santiago is the Camino Portugués from Porto to Santiago. Laura Harris leads you on this spectacular *caminho*.

While the Via Francigena passes through the Val d’Orcia, it misses some of the key towns of this renown wine-making region. This tour delves deep in the area, with hikes to Montepulciano, Montalcino, and Pienza.

Our 2024 Hosts:

I’m sure you can see why we’re so excited about our 2024 group adventures. See you on the trail!

Sandy Brown, founder and lead partner

August 14, 2023 • 0 Comment

Siena to Viterbo: Focus Val d’Orcia: Autumn, 2024

The Via Francigena dips briefly into the Val d’Orcia from Siena to Viterbo, but it misses some of its greatest sights! We make up for this by adding to the Francigena’s itinerary with some wise and wonderful wine and hot springs location. Along the way we see beautiful Siena, charming Pienza, world-renown Montepulciano, and the home of the Brunello wines, Montalcino. We continue into Lazio to see the towns of Acquapendente, Montefiascone, and Viterbo. Sprinkle in several amazing hot spring locations and you have a fabulous walking tour of some of the best sights of Central Italy.

Itinerary for Siena to Viterbo:

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 – Orientation session, tour Siena, overnight in Siena

Few places in the world ring so clearly with the echoes of the Middle Ages. Siena is an unspoiled medieval hub, and its vibrant streets are home to countless shops and eateries. Best of all is its cathedral, widely seen as one of the great medieval buildings of Italy.

Thursday, October 17, 2024 – Monte Oliveto Maggiore to Buonconvento (12km)

Transfer by van to the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore to view the amazing 15th c frescoes by Signorelli, then walk to Buonconvento to enjoy this quiet, walled village. Continue on the Via Francigena to Brunello vineyards for a wine tasting. Transfer to Montalcino, home of Brunello wines, known around the world for their full-bodied flavors, developed from years of aging. Overnight Montalcino.

Friday, October 18, 2024 – Montalcino to Bagno Vignoni

Walk to the Abbey of Sant’Antimo. Tour the abbey and then walk to the hot springs at Bagno Vignoni, whose central square is a thermal bath and whose warm waters were beloved by Lorenzo the Magnificent, St Catherine of Siena, and Pope Pius II. Bring your swimsuit! Overnight Bagno Vignoni.

Saturday, October 19, 2024 – Bagno Vignoni to Pienza

Walk first to quaint village of San Quirico d’Orcia, then onward to unspoiled Pienza, a town transformed into the “ideal city of the Renaisssance” by its benefactor and native son, Enea Silvio Piccolomini (who later became Pope Pius II). The central square, designed by the architect Il Rossellino, features a harmonious ensemble of buildings including the Cathedral, Papal Palace, and Town Hall. Overnight Pienza.

Sunday, October 20, 2024 – Pienza to Montepulciano

Walk among vineyards to the beloved hill town of Montepulciano, a name synonymous with the Vino Nobile de Montepulciano DOCG red wine. The town’s hilltop location allows the perfect setting for underground wine cellars. A walk through Montepulciano is a step back in time. Overnight Montepulciano.

Monday, October 21, 2024 – Montepulciano to Acquapendente

Today we transfer back to the Via Francigena, beginning the walk in the quiet hilltop town of Radicofani, originally a fortress of nearby Siena. A downhill walk leads through fields of grain and then we cross the ancient Via Cassia to end the day at the walled town of Proceno, now in Lazio. Transfer to Acquapendente, home of San Sepolcro Cathedral with its relics and beautiful, ancient crypt. Overnight in Acquapendente.

Tuesday, October 22, 2024 – Acquapendente to Montefiascone

Today we walk in woods and among fields to experience for ourselves one of the most celebrated wine stories of Italy – the “Est, Est, Est!” wines of Montefiascone. We’ll overlook volcanic Lago di Bolsena for much of the day, but at the end will see this circular lake from the heights of the Rocca dei Papi. Overnight Montefiascone.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 – Montefiascone to Viterbo

As we leave Viterbo we will walk on the original surface of the Roman road “Via Cassia,” heading across the valley to the Tuscia region, steeped in Etruscan – and Papal – history. Popes found their 12-13th c palace to be a refuge from the hostile crowds of Rome, and their architectural treasures can be seen today. Viterbo is also a thermal bath headquarters, and an optional dip in one of the areas many terme will be offered. A celebratory dinner finishes your day. Overnight Viterbo.

Thursday, October 24, 2024

After breakfast at our hotel we depart Viterbo for our next adventures.

Sandy-Brown — Sandy Brown, pilgrim, guide and author. Founder of Pilgrim Paths.

Sandy Brown, pilgrim, guide and author. Founder of Pilgrim Paths.

Return Home