Walking In The Countryside Near Siena
One of the many pleasures of Villa Pippistrelli are the numerous walks you can go on, many of which start right on your doorstep.
You can take a walk alone in the coutryside near Siena with a local guidebook or take advantage of our local nature guide Caterina.
Caterina is a wonderful person with a great passion for walking and an in-depth knowledge of the history and geography of the land surrounding Villa Pippistrelli.
Caterina knows the land and its people like the back of her hand.
Hiking with Caterina is great fun, as she knows so much of the history of this place. Not only will she help you stick to the right path, but her knowledge of the vegetation, of the people who once lived in these hills and her annecdotes from the monasteries, make walking with Caterina like travelling through time.
Right on Your Doorstep
There are a variety of walks available, lasting between 1 and 3 hours.
Villa Pipistrelli is located in a beautiful spot on the Montestigliano Estate, surrounded by the most stunning countryside of the “Terre di Siena” – “the lands of Siena” in the heart of Tuscany.
Your route can start right from the villa.
Follow the ancient cypress tree avenue, one of the longest in the whole of Tuscany, and the shaded woods of holm oaks, cork oaks and Mediterranean bushes to reach the natural “Val di Merse” park, one of the many local trekking routes.
On another route, you can visit the medieval “ Castiglion che Dio sol sa” – “the castle that only God knows about”. This route follows a path lined by ancient mills and a castle hidden to the eye by thick woodland. Stop here for a relaxing view overlooking the valley of the river Merse.
Take a slightly different direction and you’ll reach the river Merse itself. Here you can swim in its clean, fresh waters, watch for birds (for example Kingfisher birds) or enjoy a picnic organised by Caterina in a clearing surrounded by old oaks.
Another walk will lead you to the Abbey of Torri with its amazing medieval cloister while yet another to the equally picturesque village of Orgia, where you can enjoy the farming Museum, the enchanting little hamlet and a superb local dinner at “Trattoria Cateni”.
These are just a few of the interesting walks you can embark on by just stepping out of the villa.
A short drive opens up many more possibilities
The Area of Siena
Just a short 10 – 20 min drive away, there are so many more beautiful spots to explore.
The Montagnola hills with their Romanesque abbeys and castles, Pieve a Pernina, Pieve a Molli, Castello di Celsa, Castello di Spannocchia, Villa Cetinale, Pieve a Ponte allo Spino just to name a few.
The Chianti Area
A 15- 20 min drive towards the north will take you to the Chianti area. With its castles and vineyards, little villages and fantastic views, a short hike with wine-tasting in one of the castles is a “must”.
The“Crete Senesi” – “Clays of Siena”
The “Crete Senesi” area boasts a very special landscape, south of Siena. Distinctive rolling hills that turn into a green ocean in Spring, vast panoramas where the hills touch the sky, monasteries like Monte Oliveto Maggiore, and an incredible sunset through the giant “Sito Transitorio “ (a sculpture by Jean Paul Philippe) all await you.
San Quirico D’Orcia
Only a 45 minute drive from Villa Pippistrelli you’ll find the medieval town of San Quirico d’Orcia, overlooking an unbelievably beautiful valley with breathtaking landscapes.
Here you can hike a number of paths, from Pienza, the renaissance fort town, to the Abby of Sant Antimo; from Montalcino, to Pietraporciana Nature Reserve. There is so much to explore.
San Galgano
To the west of Villa Pippistrelli, you will find the impressive abbey of San Galgano, famous for its roofless medieval cathedral and the sword in the stone in the adjacent Romanesque Montesiepi church, situated just above the main abbey.
Nearby are the pretty and somewhat dreamy towns of Chiusdino and Monticiano, the Farma river and the fantastic sculpture park “Dreamwoods “ (“Selva di Sogno”).
Once again, Caterina can help you explore these hills by going “off the beaten track“. She will give you the privileged experience of getting to know every corner, every species, every story, every secret of this beautiful land.
