As many other routes, the path of Francigena often finds alternatives to the main road. Each one of these has its own historical foundation and certainly does not constitute a solution of minor interest. It's quite obvious that pilgrims found more appealing to follow different paths for various reasons, both of commercial and spiritual nature, or maybe to find an escape, like in our case, from Ghino di Tacco that, from the height of the imposing Rocca di Radicofani, used to control the territory below.

The alternative path offers an interesting journey to reach the abbey of Abbadia San Salvatore, built before the year one thousand. This religious complex used to be a huge spiritual and temporal influence, and a destination for pilgrims travelling towards Rome. These 50km allow cyclists to experience a suggestive dive into the past by discovering ancient fortresses, solitary churches and mystical attractions, such as the cave of San Filippo, which can be reached from Pietrineri by following the Bollore path, a route that leads to a famous thermal area.

It is advised to face this route with a gravel or MTB bike and not to underestimate it for its brevity, since it presents a significant difference in altitude. The maximum height is reached at 918 metres in km 28, after facing sections with double-digit slopes. After about 15 kilometers of scenic descent, the route of the Via Francigena is met again in Ponte a Rigo, a stopping point described by Sigeric in his 990 travel diary returning from Rome.