How to reach Rocca

Spring and fall are the right seasons to come in Val d'Orcia and visit the Rocca: 
there is mild climate and brighter landscape colours,
there are not many tourists around. 

from Autostrada A1

From “Chiusi” exit follow signs to Chianciano Terme and then signs to Monte Amiata: you are on the “Foce” road. The “Foce” is the low pass where you first see Val d’Orcia and Monte Amiata and the name of the farm where lived marquess Iris Origo, the author of well-known book “War in Val d’Orcia”: the book is about war time and German occupation (1943-44) but gives also many informations about everyday life in Val d’Orcia before the economy boom of the fifties and the subsequent country leave.
After the Foce you see on the right a road climbing a hill, lined with cypress trees: it’s a typical Tuscany pattern featured in many ads

Just as the road descends, look in front of you: there is the Rocca with its unmistakable profile, looking like a sentinel over Val d’Orcia; on the left the tower of Radicofani and the imposing Monte Amiata; on the right Pienza and its bell tower. Follow the signs to Castiglione d’Orcia and pass on the left the well preserved castle-looking farm of Spedaletto. Reach SS 2 Cassia, turn left, leave Bagno Vignoni road on the right. After the Orcia river bridge turn right towards Castiglione d’Orcia, but the now near Rocca shows you the way.
You suddenly meet the post named “Poderina” on the old roadbed of Via Cassia. Climbing towards Rocca the left wiew becomes wide and beautiful, especially in spring time when green Val d’Orcia hills are red with poppies; then also right wiew becames spectacular when you look between silver olive trees towards Ripa d’Orcia castle.
Now you are under Rocca: take the road on the right, facing the olive oil factory, and climb to the car park near Madonna di Manno church. Leave the car – Rocca is for pedestrians – and begin your visit. 

from Siena (via Cassia)

from Viterbo (via Cassia)

The whole way from Acquapendente is beautiful: you go along Paglia valley until below Radicofani tower. Then you descend towards Val d’Orcia and after the crossroad to Chianciano (on the right) you first see the Rocca over the hills. After the old peculiar bridge over Vellora stream the road is on the old track, up and down low treeless hills, in a wonderful wiew from Monte Amiata until the far Pienza; it looks like sailing on the  waves of a sea – green in spirng time – populated by farms on hilltops. After the bridge over Onzola stream  you find, on the left, the road to Rocca. You suddenly meet the post named “Poderina” on the old roadbed of Via Cassia. Climbing towards Rocca the left wiew becomes wide and beautiful, especially in spring time when green Val d’Orcia hills are red with poppies; then also right wiew becames spectacular when you look between silver olive trees towards Ripa d’Orcia castle.
Now you are under Rocca: take the road on the right, facing the olive oil factory, and climb to the car park near Madonna di Manno church. Leave the car – Rocca is for pedestrians – and begin your visit