Treks and walks on the hills of Bologna

The Via degli Dei, the Flaminia Militare, the Sentiero dei Bregoli and the Via della Cavera are among the favourite routes of lovers of treks and cycle trips. They are itineraries in which history and nature are closely interwoven, and allow us to rediscover a past that has been partly forgotten but is still present in the place names, among the rocks and mountains that have been crossed for more than 2,000 years by the peoples that lived and flourished there.

We have collected some information and resources that we hope will be useful to you when you organise your excursions in the hills of Bologna.

The Via degli Dei, from Bologna to Florence

The Via degli Dei (Road of the Gods) is a route that was devised towards the end of the nineteen-eighties by a group of Bolognese hikers who wished to follow the same route as that of the extremely ancient paths that used to connect Bologna to Florence.

One was the road that had been used for four centuries by the Etruscans, the founders of Felsina, now Bologna, for trade exchanges with Fiesole. Another one is the route designed by the Romans who had subsequently conquered Bononia: in 187 B.C. they built the Flaminia Militare road on the remains of a pre-existing route. The result was a paved road that crossed the Apennines and connected Bologna to Arretium (now called Arezzo). In the subsequent centuries people went on using these ancient roads, but in the Middle Ages the paved road built by the Romans, which is still visible in some stretches, was replaced by a mule track.

Why is it called Via degli Dei (Road of the Gods)?

Because it crosses Monte Adone (Adonis), Monzuno (Mons Iovis, that is Jupiter’s Mountain), Monte Venere (Venus) and Monte Luario, after the Roman goddess Lua: all names of pagan deities from the Latin period.

The Via degli Dei meanders between Bologna and Florence, passing by the Santuario della Beata Vergine di San Luca on the Colle della Guardia, Sasso Marconi, the protected area of the Contrafforte Pliocenico, rich in fossils, Madonna dei Fornelli, the Passo della Futa, the Pieve di Sant’Agata, San Piero a Sieve, and Fiesole.

Useful resources for your itinerary

For all details about the stopping places, history and peculiarities of this rediscovered millenary route, we advise you to consult the website of the Via degli Dei. If you wish to get information about the experiences of other hikers and follow their practical indications, you can follow the Facebook group LA VIA DEGLI DEI Da Bologna a Firenze e ritorno.

The Flaminia Militare Road, from Bononia to Arretium

According to the Roman historian Titus Livius, in 187 B.C. Consul Gaius Flaminius had a road built that connected Bononia to Arretium via the Apennines. This route fell into oblivion for many centuries, until, at the end of the nineteen-seventies, it was rediscovered by two citizens of Castel dell’Alpi who, studying the ancient texts, deduced that it was the Flaminia Militare that the Consul had built 2,000 years before.

The extant route covers a stretch of about 20 km (which includes only a part of the ancient road). It is still possible to walk on the stones laid down by the Romans. The Flaminia Militare Road starts from Brento, in the municipal district of Monzuno, and reaches Monte Bastione.

Useful resources for your itinerary

Do you want to learn more about this route? In the website In viaggio sulla Flaminia Militare you can find the history of the rediscovery of the ancient Roman road and the details of the itinerary.

The Parco della Chiusa and the Sentiero dei Bregoli

The Sentiero (path) dei Bregoli (or Brigoli, or Breguàl) is a short route that connects Casalecchio di Reno to the Santuario della Beata Vergine di San Luca since the 12th century. It used to be the prayer route for the faithful who were heading for the Santuario, and since the nineteen-twenties it is an important meeting place for the believers who live in the area: they walk up the Via Crucis until they reach the top of the Colle (hill) della Guardia. In the Middle Ages this was the shortest route for reaching the Flaminia Militare Road avoiding Bologna.

In the course of the centuries, the path underwent some changes, but the places crossed by the pilgrims have not changed, and the “Easter Monday walk” on the Sentiero dei Bregoli is a tradition that is still much felt by the people of Bologna.

It is a rather demanding walk, because the path is uphill. It starts from the Chiesa di San Martino, which is at the beginning of the Parco della Chiusa (called Parco Talòn by the people of Bologna) and ends near the Santuario della Beata Vergine di San Luca, in Via di Monte Albano. While walking on the Sentiero dei Bregoli, you can admire the “balzo della Pizzacchera”, a little brook alongside the path, a view of Casalecchio, and an air-raid shelter from the time of the Second World War.

Useful resources for your itinerary

Do you want to learn more about this route? In the website of the Sentiero dei Bregoli you can find information and interesting facts about this route.

The Via della Cavera, Medieval road for trade with Tuscany

The Via della Cavera is the ancient road that runs along the right bank of the River Reno; it was built in 1262 for trade exchanges with Pisa and Pistoia. It used to be an important route for exchanges with Tuscany, and was a vital connection for the economy of the region. The blocks of selenite and gypsum mined from the “cavere”, the quarries along the route, between Ca’ Bianca and the hamlet of Gesso, known today as Borgo dei Gessaroli, were transported via this road.

From the 15th century onwards, and later when the Via Porrettana was opened on the other bank of the River Reno, the Via della Cavera was gradually abandoned and almost forgotten.

Now it connects Casalecchio di Reno to Sasso Marconi. It starts from Via Panoramica in Casalecchio, crosses the nature reserve Oasi Naturale di San Gherardo, the old hamlet of Palazzo De’ Rossi and the Ponte (bridge) di Vizzano.

Useful resources for your itinerary

In the site of the Sentiero dei Bregoli, Via della Cavera section, you will find the history and vicissitudes of this centuries-old road.

Discovering the hills of Bologna

What to see in Bologna

Where to eat in Bologna

ANTICO PODERE SAN LUCa

Are you planning to visit Bologna and looking for an apartment that is out of the city’s turmoil but close to everything?

The Antico Podere San Luca is on the hills, five minutes by car from the centre of Bologna and at a short distance from the most important paths in that area, and from restaurants and holiday farms where you can enjoy the local food and wine. You can opt for the Bed&Breakfast formula or a short-term lease. If you wish to obtain more detailed information, please click on the button below:

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