Via degli Dei, Bologna to Florence

Individual arrival in Bologna, a city with many attractions: you will be able to walk across the 7 chapels of the Santo Stefano Basilica, admire the city from the Torre degli Asinelli ("the Donkeys' Tower"), and of course taste some tagliatelle al ragù. Do not miss a view of the illuminated Piazza Maggiore or the Piazza Grande, the subject of a famous song by Lucio Dalla, a bolognese songwriter who used to live a few meters away.

From Piazza Maggiore, the heart of the city, you walk to the Portico di San Luca, built in 1674: this is the longest covered street in the world, 4 km dominated by 666 arches, which extends all the way to the Basilica of San Luca.

You walk across Parco Tolon where the Casalecchio lock-gate has been managing the flow of the Reno River into the city of Bologna for 800 years. You reach your accommodation in Sasso Marconi, named in honour of the Nobel Prize winning scientist Guglielmo Marconi who was born here.

Distance: 20 km

Elevation gain: +522/-504 m

After breakfast you take a short transfer to Badolo, from where you start walking towards Monzuno.

The star of today’s walk is the Contrafforte Pliocenico, a rocky bastion that rose from the shallow sea during the Pliocene age (2-4 million years ago) – the proofs of which are to be found in the fossils of ancient shells still embedded in the local rocks.

Along the route you encounter sandy trails that climb to the edge of the abyss along the spectacular path that assends to the top of Mount Adone, with its characteristic stone towers.

Your destination is Monzuno, where we recommend you visit ’s charcuterie shop, the temple of local food and wine thanks to its meat protected by Slow Food. 

Distance: 16 km

Elevation gain: +696/-497 m

This section is especially beautiful as you walk through immense green fields and chestnut woods. At your feet are Roman paving stones of the “Flaminia Militare”, the Roman road that used to link Bologna to Arezzo; you will see  traces of the Roman passage still visible on the stones to Pian di Balestra, where you find ourselves at the border between Emilia and Tuscany. 

Today's destination is Bruscoli, where you spend the night in a charming Agriturismo in the hills. 

Distance: 19 km

Elevation gain: +971/-575 m

We continue to the Passo della Futa, the biggest German cemetery in Italy, where more than 30.000 German soldiers were laid to rest. A place built for the war, now immersed in silence and peace. 

You then descend the Futa Pass. Monte Gazzaro, with its white cross, is the highest peak that we reach today; from here you will admire the breathtaking view of the Firenzuola valley and Mugello.

A wide down-hill path leads you to Sant’Agata, with its museums dedicated to both sacred and peasant art. At this point you will begin to notice the scenery changing around you, a more typical Tuscan landscape.

At San Piero to Sieve you can treat yourself to the robust local cuisine of Mugello, and enjoy the typical Ramerino bread (a Tuscan Rosemary bread).

Optional transfer: form Sant'Agata take the bus to San Piero a Sieve to shorten the itinerary

Distance: 21/28 km

Elevation gain: +676/-1465 m

After leaving San Piero you continue towards the Castello del Trebbio, one of the residences of the Medici family, now private. This spot offers exceptional views that extend over the Mugello valley and Lake Bilancino.

The route continues through large olive groves, continuously climbing to finally reach the Montesenario Monastery, which dominates the mountain with the same name - the view from here, encompassing the entire Mugello Valley, is the "gift from the gods" for your efforts!

Distance: 20 km

Elevation gain: +1019/-803 m

You are now on the outskirts of Florence, the end of your journey is at hand and there is much excitement! Today’s walk is shorter and we begin by heading towards Fiesole, where you pass through Vetta le Croci, a place where 200,000 barbarians (killed during the battle of Montereggi, 405 A.D.) are said to be buried.

From there you continue descending towards Fiesole, a terraced Etruscan town overlooking the city of Florence. Here you can visit the well preserved Roman amphitheatre, climb to reach the San Francesco Church and admire the view of Florence, before heading to the Reinassance city for your last triumphal steps. 

Florence doesn't need presentation - but you can decide how to enjoy it: after visiting the must-sees such as the Cathedral and the Uffizi, look for the Florence out of the beaten path. Enjoy a walk in the Oltrarno area, through narrow streets filled with artisanal workshops and little restaurants, and enjoy your last dinner in a rustic trattoria. 

Distance: 10,5 km

Elevation gain: +381/-529 m

Last day included. Tour ends after breakfast.

This is one of our travellers' favorite trips: it's the right choice for you if you'd like to visit Bologna and Florence but also hike through woods, forests and mountains, along the ancient Flaminia road. The hotels are comfortable, but very simple. We do not recomment this trip to beginners, as the unstable ground and continuous ups and downs are quite challenging. 

For our trips, we always select accommodations with private rooms and private bathrooms. In rare cases, shared accommodations or shared bathrooms may be included, so we recommend carefully checking the inclusions section to understand the type of accommodation provided for the trip you’re interested in.

We place great importance on the choice of lodging and select hotels with care and attention. We know how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We prefer welcoming and charming accommodations, ideally family-run, that truly embody the spirit of the place and can welcome you with comfort and warmth.

Where, due to the nature of the route, the choice of accommodations is limited, we select the option that best aligns with our standards.