Distance Walked: 18 km. (Felt like 30 km…seriously)!
Weather: Sunny and HOT (highs of 32 C).
Route: Steep climbs up and down all day long. (Richard’s iPhone recorded us as climbing the equivalent of 51 floors. Once again, it felt like much more).
Walking Time: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., including two long breaks, and one minor tantrum on my part (blush here).
Views: Absolutely stunning!
Feature Photo: Taken from our bedroom balcony.
Accommodations: Le Due Torri, Via Della Bonaria 2, 53023. Tel: 349-508-9426. Cost: 55 euros for double room, shared bath. Central location. Nice!
Castiglione d’Orcia: Perched on top of a steep hill, Castiglione d’Orcia offers breathtaking panoramic views, charming stone houses, sloping streets and a 15th Century cistern in the Town Square. Castiglione is the province’s capital.
Summary: We have continued to shorten the “suggested legs” for this part of Tuscany. Due to today’s intense heat and steep climbs, we are very glad that we did. Castiglione d’Orcia is a short uphill stretch off of the Via Francigena Trail. Our VF Guidebook listed Podere Rossello as an affordable place to stay (23+ euros per person). When we phoned two days ago, they were already fully booked for the next seven days. Agriturusmo Passalacqua was also recommended, but was a bit further out. Once again we went with a last minute Booking.com special and once again we were pleasantly surprised!
Although this was one of our shorter km days, it was the most challenging for me so far. Tomorrow we have a 26 km day with the same predicted temperatures. Our goal is to leave in the early morning to help beat the heat.
Here are a few of today’s pics:
Retirement Reflections 
Oh, that cobbled road. The greens are so green. The architecture so lofty. How are your feet holding up? Anything you wish you had or hadn’t packed? Wishing you cooler, flatter days ahead.
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Thanks, Leslie – Great question. Despite my practice hikes, and my best intentions, there were a couple of things in my pack that did not work out as well as I had hoped. The tiny plastic containers of shampoo/soap/laundry detergent that you can buy at hiking stores were totally useless!!
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Good you are pacing yourselves! Take it easy. I only did 8 flights trying to submit Mt Geoffrey but did not make the 9th and 10th floor. Are there places to rehydrate? Be careful of Tangry.
Tired Angry Hungry ☹️
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That’s great advice, Ann. I’d also add “too hot” to your list! I greatly appreciate you following.
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Love it “Tangry” – tired, angry, hungry. I can certainly relate to that when travelling. All the best for tomorrow’s walk.
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Thanks, Suzanne – The heat (and my pack) definitely got to me. Luckily, Richard is a very patient man!
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I am also very fortunate that Les is a very patient man unlike his wife!
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Thanks, Suzanne – I like to think that two patient people in a relationship is overkill! 🙂
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Exactly 😆
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I will walk the part from Siena to Rome in August/September and love to read your blogs. It gives me an idea of what to expect and be prepared! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for following. Let me know if you have any specific questions that I can help with.
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Good luck for tomorrow!
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Thanks, Anabel – We’re yo and ready to leave early when the temperatures are 15C. Highs of 30!!
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I’m happy to hear you’re taking things a little slower and you were pleasantly surprised by your accommodations, Donna. You? A tantrum? I don’t believe it! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos!
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Thanks, Jill – I was a little over the heat yesterday. But the recovery was quick!
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There is no escaping from hot! Much better to take things slower than to risk a heat stroke… after all, this is suppose to be enjoyable, right?
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Absolutely – We have appreciated (almost) every single moment!
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Be thankful for sun! Maybe a bit too hot! But I have a friend posting her trek and for two days they have been hiking in the rain! Wet and slippery
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Fingers crossed….we have had no rain yet! I agree with you about sun vs rain on a hike!
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Temps of 30 degrees and higher is seriously hot. These last few days sound particularly challenging Donna. I think you may be a day or so behind my sister – photis are similar, names sound similar, long stretches too- thanks for sharing with us!
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Hi, Susan – It’s cool that your sister and I have been doing the same walk at the same time. Our posts to you must sound a bit like stereo! 🙂
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It’s been wonderful imagining and also seeing the beautiful photos!
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Thanks, Susan – I am so pleased that you are enjoying them!
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That’s a little too hot and sunny for me, for walking! I’ll bet a long cool shower at the end of the day was just the ticket.
Deb
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For some unknown reason, I am never a cool shower kind of gal. But an icy drink at the end of each day has been perfect!
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Hi Donna,
Sorry to hear about the hot, and slowing the pace through that heat seems like a good plan to me!
But, OMG Donna, the views and your photos are just magnificent! I am envious to say the least. What an adventure you two are having!
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Thank you so much, Nancy – The photos have been frustrating because they don’t adequately capture what I have been seeing. I am so glad to hear that you have been enjoying them!
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Beautiful country side. Keep up the walking. Does sound terribly hot and walking in the afternoon would have been exhausting. All the best
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Thanks, Brenda – We do try to head out as early in the morning as possible. Sometimes that is easier said than done! 😉
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I can see how beautiful your views are, Donna, and you are smart to take it easier during these stretches. Hot weather is nothing to take for granted because heat exhaustion is insidious. It’s not life threatening like heat stroke, but the views are not as pretty any longer. Take good care!
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Thanks, Terri – Your advice is very wise. Luckily, we had given ourselves more than enough time for this adventure. We have never felt rushed!
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By the time you read this you will have climbed the big hill into Radicofani. Well done! Especially in the conditions. We felt a bit sorry for ourselves, less than a month ago, doing these same legs in 11 or 12 C with wind and rain, but I think we may have had the better end of the stick, in retrospect. At least we could layer up, but the only thing you can do at 32C is leave before dawn. Temper tantrums are allowed.:Thanks for your honesty. We are rooting for you, and some slightly cooler temps!
Lisa and Rand
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Thanks so much, Lisa. We can feel your cheering from here!And yes, we are completely over big climbs at the end of a long hike! 🙂
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Beautiful Tuscany can get very warm Donna and it is only the beginning of Summer. I remember we visited Naples in October and it was still very warm. Keep going you are doing so well! xx
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Hi, Sue – Thank you again for your encouragement. It is greatly appreciated!
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Donna You are doing well with the posts. Hope they are not causing too much stress because I think we are all enjoying them, :)Louise
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Hi, Louise – Thank you for this awesome feedback. I have greatly enjoyed writing these posts each evening. They have provided much needed reflection time!
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Temperature tantrums. I would say one a day is expected. Comes with the territory. It is hot here too so walking in evening. I see there is not much shade on the path there. 😞
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Thanks, Ann – Some days have been shady, other days not so much. I have become much wiser at pacing myself in the heat!
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Oh that would be a hot walk Donna! So glad to read of your tantrum, you’ve got to let it out!!
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I knew that I liked you, Deb! Thank you for your wise words!
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Still stunning even if it elicited a little tantrum. Wonderful
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Thanks, Antoinette – Although you do sometimes need to work for the views, they are totally worth it!
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Challenging day offset by stunning views. The feature photo made me stop and take a deep breath. Wow! I know I will reread your posts with my husband, Chuck. He loves this type of adventure, especially with some of the details you are sharing. Thank you, Donna!
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Hi, Erica – Thank you for sharing these posts with Chuck. That’s so cool!
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It must’ve been difficult in that heat. Your photo’s are stunning – beautiful countryside
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Thanks, Sam – It truly is an amazing country!
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Hi Donna – just looks amazing .. and I can imagine the temperature is a challenge – 30 degC is hot and any higher … too much … especially walking in it. So pleased you’re being practical re stopping … cheers Hilary
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Thanks, Hilary – We were grateful that we had built in six “extra” days apart from the days suggested for the traditional stages. That made every day more relaxing…and gave us several options to play with!
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I think my comment must be in your spam folder
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Found it!!
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