Via degli Dei backpacking - 6 days

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.

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. 

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. 

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

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!

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.