DAY 68 - BUONCONVENTO to BAGNO VIGNONI - 27 June 2026

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We were out before sunrise and enjoyed views across the fields and down to Buonconvento. The Via Francigena tracked beside the road for a while and we ate our breakfast cake standing up.  

Soon the Via began to head up through vineyards and we greeted vineyard workers starting their day. There were olive trees, views of Montalcino from a variety of perspectives, umbrella pines, Italian cypress and lots of dust. One cellar offered a pilgrim special of a glass of wine, a sandwich and a bottle of water, but it was closed...

At a welcome water fountain we met a walker from the Czech Republic. We crossed paths several times during the day. 

In Torrenieri we stopped at a bar for cappuccino, croissants, juice and water. We continued on the asphalt up and over through parched fields. Another walker (from Argentina) caught up to us and we had a brief chat before he sped up the hill.

In the historic centre of San Quirico D'Orcia, we stopped for fresh lemonade and salad rolls, before buying juicy grapes and apricots at the supermarket. As we left the town, we caught our first glimpse of the hilltop town of Radicofani, where we head tomorrow. 

The gravel road took us up and over the hill to the deserted stone hamlet of Vignoni. From there it was straight downhill to Bagno Vignoni, our destination for the day. We briefly admired the piazza, which is a 16th century thermal pool, before checking in to our accommodation for rest and planning. 

Leaving Buonconvento this morning
The Via Francigena on from Buonconvento 
A bit of a climb. There's often a bit of a climb. 
Just after sunrise
Fun with shadows
Vineyard workers starting the day's shift
The hilltop town of Montalcino was visible for most of today's walk
An iconic avenue of Italian cypresses
Diverse scenery on the Via Francigena 
The countryside looked like it could do with a bit of rain
Lots of cyclists on the road today
Parched landscape
Emerging from our morning tea stop in Torrenieri 
Some feature trees in the parched landscape
The Via Francigena between Torrenieri and San Quirico D'Orcia 
Overtaken by 2 cyclists and an Ape on the way in to San Quirico D'Orcia 
San Quirico D'Orcia 
Dry and dusty country between San Quirico D'Orcia and Vignoni 
Vignoni
A short downhill stretch to Bagno Vignoni 
Bagno Vignoni 
Dinner at Bagno Vignoni 
After dinner, a stroll down to the town's public thermal baths, then back to the main watery piazza
Bits and pieces 
Birds 
Day 68 - Map

Day:                               68
Distance:                      29.38 km
Walking time:               5 hrs 58 mins
Elevation gain:             721 metres
Cumulative distance:  1393.31 km

Comments

  1. Anonymous28 June 2026 at 00:52

    Today’s birds: Hooded Crow, European Bee-eater, Eurasian Collared-Dove, probably Italian Sparrow, Common Wood Pigeon

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous28 June 2026 at 21:50

    Great photos guys. A pity the winery was closed! It looks so much drier than when we walked that stretch in May. Well done, every day is closer to the destination. Russell

    ReplyDelete
  3. Barkers29 June 2026 at 04:59

    It is really parched, everyone is hoping the weather changes soon!

    ReplyDelete

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