Lomoody

I am planning to hike from Pienza to Montepulciano, for taking the picture along the road, as I am attracted by the rolling hills, poppies field, wheat field...etc, all the typical Tuscany scenic view I can see there.

However, I don't have a car license, so I am planning to hike this route by walking along road SS146. And I can't find any advise from the internet.

So I am here to ask about the possibility about my planning:

My base is at Siena, I will depart from siena in the morning.
Arrive Pienza at 8:30, and walk around.
Start hiking from Pienza at 10:30. Walk along road SS146 and shoot photos.
Arrived Montepulciano at 15:30, and walk around the town.
Take the bus to Siena at 17:45.

Or if there any other good suggestions?

Thank you very much

kybourbon

Yes, you can hike from Pienza to Montepulciano. There are tour groups that do it. There are many back roads (white roads) to hike. Just make sure of the bus schedules as Sunday can have little service.

Why are you basing in Siena if you want to hike the area? I would think Pienza might be a better base.

Zerlina

SS146 is a highway. If you go to www.viamichelin.com and choose the On foot option, it also suggests a "white roads" route that will have much less traffic.

Lomoody

Thanks Kybourbon for the reply

Yes, I did some research in this website:
http://www.busfox.com/timetable/
I hope the schedule is accurate

As I will travel alone in these days, I cant find any affordable hostel in Pienza.
There are only few choices in Pienza and Montepulciano.

So, Siena is a better solution for me. And I will stay 2 nights here. After that I will go back to florence.

Lomoody

Thanks Zerlina too
A useful website for me.
Let me take a look~

kybourbon

I have stayed at Il Giardino Segreta in Pienza for a very good price in their smallest apartment La Serra(45€ in 2008).
http://www.nautilus-mp.com/tuscany/a.../indexing.html

Also look at rooms for rent or hotels on Portale Pienza.
http://www.portalepienza.it/

There is a hiking map you can buy for the area that shows the white roads. You might find this older trip report about hiking the area interesting, but these people booked through a hiking tour company.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ltop-towns.cfm

zoecat

Instead of walking the SS146, pick up a copy of the guidebook Walking and Eating in Tuscany and Umbria and follow the suggested hike-

http://walkingandeating.com/

The link provides the latest updates. The newsstand/shop in Pienza (just outside the town wall) usually has a copy in English for sale. You might be able to find a copy in Siena.

The hike found in the book on the mostly white roads is lovely. It takes you through farmland, beautiful rolling hills and the book provides very good details. I would not want to walk along the SS146- too many cars.

I love walking/hiking in the area. If you have any other questions or need more hike suggestions, please let me know.

Make sure you know exactly where in Siena your bus will depart. Some leave from the city center and some leave from the train station. Also, when leaving Montepulciano, be sure to ASK at the bus terminal for the correct departure time. Sometimes the times posted are not correct. Just double check. If, for some reason, you miss the bus back to Siena, you can take a bus to Chiusi and the train from there to Siena.

Enjoy!

GAC

Be careful that there is no bus service between Siena and Pienza/Montepulciano on Sundays.

zoecat

I just thought of something... follow this link to a Google map I created showing driving routes in the area. You can zoom in to see the details of the drive from Pienza to Monticchiello and then Monticchiello to Montepulciano. This would be a great hike- all on white roads and through beautiful countryside.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...,0.154324&z=13

When you are in Florence, there is a nice hike from Fiesole to Florence. I suggest taking the bus up to Fiesole and hiking down. But, don't hike down on the road. Pick up a map in Florence (or use the book I mentioned) showing the trail hike.

tuscanlifeedit

zoecat knows what she is talking about. I too was going to suggest the book Walking and Eating in Tuscany and Umbria. Her suggested hike above sounds great.

Great map zoecat.

J62

I may still have a detailed hiking map for the area in my stash. If I do you can have it. I'll take a look.

I recall seeing a lot of hikers in and around Sant'Antimo abbey.

humptynumpty

I also bought a very detailed small scale map very similar to the British OS maps but less detailed. Currently can't find it as we are upside down with decorating. Most bookshops in the larger cities stocked them but I didn't see them in Pienza and the smaller towns.

The map details many farm tracks which you would not be aware of otherwise. Using it was great fun and gave you access to many landscapes which are well off the "beaten track".

Lomoody

Thanks all of you, info. are really useful for me!!!!

especially the map from zoecat, thanks for your route suggestions, I will go ahead for that route
And I email the Pienza hostel suggested by kybourbon, so lucky they have room for me, i am planning to stay Pienza for 2 nights

I think I will buy the map at Pienza/florence for safe, but it is great if J62 can sent it to me before I go there, so I can do some preparation

Thanks all of you again ^^

zoecat

You'll love staying in Pienza! I am happy for you!

There are some easy hikes walking down hill from the town center toward the SW into the valley/farmland. The sunsets are incredible.

On your walk to Montepulciano, be sure to spend some time in Monticchiello. It is a small, lovely village with great views. The walk from Pienza to Monticchiello will take about 1.5 hours.

russwuf

have not hiked it but biked it...biking is an option and is a great way to be in the open countryside experiencing everything around you....the sheep crossing the road....the occasional "Ciao" from a person along the way......marvelous!

Lomoody

Zoecat, yes, I like Tuscany.
I come from HK, I cant see these kinds of view in my daliy life, and it is one of my dream, taking these photos, living in the countryside....etc.
But before I did lot of research on that, I think it is impossible to reach these area without a car.
So, I am late to know I can reach there in a easily way. I am so surprised with this.
I bet I must come again to have a long journey next time

It is my first time to hike in a foreign city, I will be alone in this hiking journey ( course my frd will leave italy first), and I am a girl, but think that Tuscany is a safe place, hope it would not be a harsh journey for me

Also, I also wanna shoot some star photos in Tuscany at night, is it safe to go outside at night time?

Yes russwuf, actually biking in this area is my original plan, but seems it is a bit troublesome if i wanna visit the village too.

Oooo, so great that there are sheep around, I love the sheep, where can I see them? It must be wonderful trip for me >.<

zoecat

You will be safe. I am a female and often do hikes alone, with no problems or worries. You will see other hikers/walkers along the way. The area is very peaceful and laid back. Be sure to take plenty of water and some snacks for your hiking. You will be very exposed to lots of sun, so a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen will help.

<<Also, I also wanna shoot some star photos in Tuscany at night, is it safe to go outside at night time?>>

Yes. Don't forget a flashlight.

Enjoy your adventure!

J62

I have a road map for all of Tuscany but not the close in detail of Pienza/Montepulciano I thought I did. Sorry.

Lomoody

That's great, good to hear that!

I heard that there is no supermarket in the town and the restaurant is quite expensive, isn't it?


J62, never mind, and thanks you too

kybourbon

There's a supermarket in Pienza. It should only be a 10 minute walk from your apartment. Just ask someone directions.