Via degli Dei - short break • sloWays

This shorter version of Via degli Dei (5 days) will take you from Sasso Marconi to San Piero.

It is a selection of the most pictoresque stages of the walk, that skips the exit from Bologna through its outskirts and the last section to Florence. It instead crosses the Appennini mountains, an area of wild natural beauty and quiet, with a rich history that dates back to Roman and Etruscan civilization, theatre of violent battles and archaic legends...

You will be charmed by the wonders of nature along the route: from the Contrafforte Pliocenico, to series of rocky sandstone crags that dominate the Reno valley, with huge beechwoods in the highest part of the walk, as far as the gentle hills of the piana del Mugello: a surprising variety of natural environments, that allows great biodiversity.

Route

Day 1: Arrival in Sasso Marconi

Day 2: From Badolo to Monzuno, 16 km

Day 3: From Monzuno to Bruscoli, 19 km

Day 4: From Bruscoli to San Piero a Sieve, 21/28 km

Day 5: Goodbye San Piero!

Day 1: Arrival in Sasso Marconi

Your travel starts in Sasso Marconi, town named in honour of the Nobel Prize winning scientist Guglielmo Marconi, who was born here in 1874 and who invented the telephone. Before starting to walk, take some time to visit the museum and the Villa Marconi to know more about the genius and his works.

Day 2: From Badolo to Monzuno, 16 km

A transfer will take you to Badolo, where your adventure will start. Today's walk is characterised by the Contrafforte Pliocenico, a mejestic rocky massif that emerged during the Pliocene age (2-4 million years ago). The path is partly on sandy ground, and it takes you to the edge of the abyss, before reaching the top of Mount Adone and its peculiar stone towers. You will then reach Monzuno: take some time to visit the famous Zanieri charcuterie, renowned for its meat (a Slow Food-recognised speciality).

(It is possible to use a bus from Bettola Chiesa to Monzuno, this cuts 5 kms from the total length.)

Distance: 16 km

Elevation gain: +696/-497 m

Day 3: From Monzuno to Bruscoli, 19 km

The second day will take you on the stones of the “Flaminia Militare”, the ancient Roman road that used to link Bologna to Arezzo. At Pian di Balestra you will cross the border between Emilia and Tuscany. Your walk ends in Bruscoli where you will spend the night in a charming Agriturismo.

Distance: 19 km

Elevation gain: +971/-575 m

Day 4: From Bruscoli to San Piero a Sieve, 21/28 km

In the thirs and last day, you will encounter the Passo della Futa, held by the Germans in the Second World War. We recommend you visit the military cemetery, indeed a moving monument to the absurdity of all wars. The highest peak of the walk is Monte Gazzaro: from its white cross you will be able to have a wide, spectacular view of the Mugello valley. A nice, wide downhill path will bring you to Sant’Agata, a traditional Tuscan village. If you love unusual museums, you should visit the “Museo del Leprino”. From here, the landscape and the villages gradually acquire a more tipically Tuscan appearance. At the end of the walk, you reach San Piero a Sieve: celebrate the end of your tour by trying the robust local cuisine of Mugello, or enjoying the typical Ramerino 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

Day 5: Goodbye San Piero!

Our services end after breakfast, unless you have booked any extra nights. Have a safe trip back home!

accommodation

Hotel Ca Vecchia - Sasso Marconi

Ca’ Vecchia Convention Center is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the fine cuisine of Emilia Romagna, at the foot of the Apennine hills, surrounded by a magnificent park with century-old trees.

The main building of the Hotel, dating back to 1770, was originally a Manor House, with three ample halls with fireplaces and eight rooms, a calash parkingspace, three small service rooms and a well inside the building. Moreover, there was an oratory (then become a laboratory for the making of the cheese), a barnwith a stable (the present restaurant) and a second barn behind the House (one of the current outbuildings).

https://www.cavecchia.it/

Agriturismo Il Passeggere - Bruscoli

The Agriturismo is situated in a very special location surrounded by lush hills. All the rooms are spacious and confortable and have its bathroom. The Agriturismo has a restaurant where is possible to taste typical tuscan dishes and game dishes.

https://www.passeggere.it/

La Pieve B&B - San Piero a Sieve

The B&B is centrally located in the Mugello region and it offers a quiet place to stay, far from any hustle and bustle. Owners are welcoming and helpful. Rooms are comfortable and clean with private bathroom outside the room. Breakfast is rich and natural. https://www.lapievebeb.it/

Albergo Montevenere - Monzuno

A family - run hotel with simply furnished rooms. All rooms have a private bathroom. The hotel has a resturant where you'll be able to taste typical homemade dishes.

http://albergomontevenere.it/

practical info

You can find more information in the "accommodation" section: we always select your accommodation for their character and comfort. You will always be booked in a private, en-suite room, with breakfast included.

Luggage transfer (max. 20 kg) from one hotel to the hotel is included in the price.

Thanks to our special APP, you will be able to follow the track of the whole trip on your mobile phone, with no need for internet. GPS tracks are available on request.

Included

What is included

4 Nights in hotels and B&B with breakfast
luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
Transfer from Sasso Marconi to Badolo
maps and detailed description of the itinerary
Pilgrim Credential
medical-luggage insurance
Telephone support 24 hours

What is not included

Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
lunches and dinners
visits and entrance fees - tips
personal expense
possible sojourn taxes
everything that is not mentioned in the "What is included" section.

Optional Services

These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour:

Single room supplement
cancellation insurance
Transfers to reach the starting location or to leave the arriving location of the tour, which will be quoted on request.

Is this trip for me?

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.