Route: Montalcino to Sant’Antimo
Area: Italy, Tuscany
Date of walk: 8th October 2019
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 8.2 miles
Ascent: 1,000 feet
Weather: Sunshine and cloudless blue skies
Today’s walk was another linear one, and we’d checked in advance that we would have sufficient time to complete the walk in time to catch the local Tiemme bus back to the start
From our base near Pienza we drove over to the famous medieval walled town of Montalcino, which stands on an elevated ridge and can be seen for miles around. The hills which surround it are planted with vines dedicated to the production of Brunello di Montalcino and Rossi di Montalcino, and the town offers plenty of tasting and buying opportunities for anyone partial to a glass or more of red wine
We parked just below the Rocca, the 14th century fortress which formerly guarded the town against attack. We decided to look around Montalcino at the end of the walk – if we missed the return bus there would be no others
We left the town along Via del Poggiolo, which offered some good views back, and we then followed a succession of paths and dirt tracks mostly through scrubby woodland. This restricted the views, but did at least have the merit of shading us from the hot sun. The woodland section lasted rather too long for us, and it was a welcome change when we at last emerged into open countryside, with some extensive views
As we started the long but easy descent we left the main track briefly to walk through the historic hamlet of Villa a Tolli, which dates back to the 13th century and is a charming little place. Beyond the hamlet another woodland section followed and beyond it we arrived at our destination, the abbey of Sant’Antimo, set among old olive trees and cypresses. After wandering around the abbey and its grounds we joined the road and climbed up to the quiet medieval village of Castelnuovo dell’Abate. We had sufficient time before the bus arrived to wander around this lovely place, which is worth a visit in its own right
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Dawn in the Val d'Orcia before we set off for Montalcino...
Later that morning, the start of the walk as we leave Montalcino via this lane - we don't want to miss the bus back, so will look around the town at the end of the walk
Looking back to Montalcino
A long section of the walk was through woodland like this, with very few views
At long last we emerge from the woodland and the views open up, although there are no clouds, so the light is not flattering
We follow a bianca strada, or white road, which makes for easy walking...
We make a very minor detour via an alternative track to walk through the historic hamlet of Villa a Tolli, which traces its origins back to Etruscan times
The small Romanesque church of Santa Lucia
Looking back to the church as we regain the main track
The start of an easy descent towards the abbey of Sant'Antimo...
Sant'Antimo comes into view below, and on the right is the hilltop town of Castelnuovo dell'Abate which will be our final destination
The abbey is surrounded by well tended olive groves and vineyards
Approaching the abbey, with Castelnuovo dell'Abate beyond...
The Romanesque abbey was built in the 12th century, and is still inhabited by Benedictine monks who meet seven times a day for prayer and Gregorian plainchant
The interior of the abbey...
...its beautiful exterior...
...and the productive farmland surrounding it
We leave the abbey grounds to climb up to Castelnuovo dell'Abate
We follow the road into Castelnuovo dell'Abate, here looking back to the abbey
We walk through the medieval village...
Journey's end, and from here we catch the bus back into Montalcino
Back in Montalcino, we visit the Rocca, or Fortress, built in 1361 - there are superb views from the walkway around the towers
Looking over Montalcino
Val d'Orcia
We then visit the Cathedral of Santissimo Salvatore
The Church of Madonna del Soccorso at the far end of the town
We wander back through the streets
If you're running out of Brunello di Montalcino, this is the place to stock up again
A guilt free reward at the end of today's walk
The graceful curves of the Val d'Orcia landscape on the way back
Villa Poggio - if this scene looks familiar, you must have seen the film Gladiator
