Panorama della Val d'Orcia dalle antiche terme di Bagno Vignoni [1]
Itinerary in the great scenery of the Val d’Orcia, between Pienza, Cappella Vitaleta and Bagno Vignoni
Itinerary in the great scenery of the Val d’Orcia. There is no difficulty in following the track, but a magical moment is a deviation towards the Cappella di Vitaleta, a small chapel gracing many postcards. A visit to Pienza, rebuilt as an ideal town in the 15th century, and Bagno Vignoni is a must.
Start your journey with a good coffee at Buongusto on Piazza San Carlo, or have lunch at La Chiocciola (Via Mario Mencattelli, 2) near the parking lot in Via Mario Mencatelli.
27 km, it takes about 5,5 hours.
Circular walk Pienza - Cappella Vitaleta - Bagno Vignoni
The hike from Pienza to Bagno Vignoni is absolutely stunning. Descend from Pienza into the scenic Orcia river valley, walking through postcard landscapes of rolling hills. You will first get to the Capella di Vitaleta, a small chapel surrounded by cypress trees, and Bagno Vignoni, a thermal resort renown since the Middle Ages because of its position on the old via Francigena. Bagno Vignoni is 13 kilometers south of Pienza.
This itinerary starts and ends at Via Mario Mencatelli in Pienza. In Via Mario Mencattelli there is always good parking, and at the end of the street there is also a square for paid parking. On the same Via Mario Mencattelli, you will find a good restaurant, La Chiocciola.
Pienza, the ideal city
Pienza was rebuilt from a village called Corsignano, which was the birthplace of Enea Silvio Piccolomini.
We start this itinerary with a brief exploration of the alleys of Pienza, starting at Largo Roma, entering this beautiful village
through the Via dell'Apertura.
Walk into the Via dell'Apertura, and almost immediately turn left into Via Case Nuove, entering a pleasant square. There is a good ice cream shop, Buon Gusto Gelateria (Via delle Case Nuove, 26), and at number 7 Caffè della Volpe.
The
Via Case Nuove takes you to the central street of Pienza, the Corso il Rossellino. The Corso leads to the trapezoidal main square Piazza Pio II, a grand and elegant square, surrounded by the city hall, with its bell tower, the Palazzo Piccolomini,Palazzo Borgia and the Duomo.
Start
The track leads you to the Porta al Prato, following the directions for the Pieve di Corsignano on the Piazza Dante Alighieri, Viale Santa Catarina and Via del Fonte. A 11-min walk will bring you to the Pieve di Corsignano.
Continuing to the Vitaleta Chapel and further on to Bagno Vignoni this itinerary offers some wonderful views over the valleys. The scenery of the Val d’Orcia changes according to the season, ranging from the bright green meadows of spring to the golden wheat fields of summer, but the region's delectable essence will always linger with you long after you've departed.
And finally, do not leave Pienza without a glass of wine or an aperitif at Paolo's bar Il Casello'on Via Il Casello (the street to the left of the Duomo). Here the four famous alleys of Pienza, via dell'Amore, via del Bacio, via del Bula and via della Fortuna come together. A great spot with uninterrupted views of the Val d'Orcia and frequented by locals and young lovers.
Returning to the parking, you walk again alog the Largo Roma, were the Consorzio Agrario di Siena could be a final stop for shopping. Here you will find a nice and affordable selection of regional products. Not only pecorino cheese, but also meats, truffles, mushrooms, olive oil, wine and so on.
