San Gimi

San Gimignano is a "tourist town" in southern Tuscany, known for its towers which can be seen for miles around. We went there to do some hiking in the Tuscan hills. So soon after settling into our room, we set out at 2pm for a 10 kilometer afternoon walk NORTH towards Pancole and back. The next day we walked a 20 kilometer loop to the SOUTH. Tip of the hat: for both walks we mainly followed routes described in Lonely Planet Hiking in Italy by Brendan Sainsbury. Thanks!

The route to Pancole is mostly uphill but one is rewarded with a long ridge walk with great views to the valley and back to San Gimignano (to the far RIGHT in this first photo).






ASanctuario in Pancole; ie a place for pilgrims to sleep/eat. San Gimi has long been on the pilgrim trail.


Farmhouse.




Approaching San Gimi from the SOUTH.


Our room had a shared kitchen to we picked up some supplies at the local COOP market.


SL carries our "supplies" home through the mostly quiet streets of San Gimi after the daytrippers have left.


View of several towers on our after dinner stroll through town.


Setting out the next morning we had to walk upstream for a few minutes through arriving tour groups, but were soon out of town and walking for 3 or 4 kilometers on the well-marked Via Francigena, the ancient road and pilgrim route from France to Rome; still traveled by pilgrims and walkers like ourselves.




Spotted more than a few wild hyacinths by the road/trail.


Wheat fields with shades of green.


Stopped to take a selfie. ;-)




Good walking on some of the old mule tracks.


And through olive groves. Saw many farmers pruning trees and plowing weeds under, but did not get a good shot.


The cloudy day turned into a light drizzle for a few hours in the afternoon.




It seems that every farmhouse in the area has been turned into a hotel and/or a factory of some sort with wine and olive oil for sale.




The last few uphills kms with great views to San Gimi.








The San Gimignano Duomo.


Some sunset pics from one of the smaller towers.






Towers at night.