Via degli Dei, the Heart

Level
3
Distance
65 km
Duration
5 days | 4 nights
period
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
price from
€ 418
CO2 footprint
90 Kg/person
  1. Italy
  2.  | 
  3. Self-Guided
  4.  | 
  5. Tourcode ITSW335

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.

Highlights

  • Discover the fossil shells set into the rocks of Mount Adone
  • Surprise yourselves walking along an ancient Roman paved road in the heart of the Apennines forest
  • Visit the military cemetery of La Futa where more than 30,000 German soldiers are buried
  • Listen to the macabre legends about the burned tavern, ancient inn and crossroads of communication roads

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Sasso Marconi

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

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

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

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!

Goodbye San Piero!

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

Details

Is this 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. 

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 in digital form, app
  • 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.
  • official camino guidebook, shipped to the first hotel
  • travel documentation in printed form (maps and detailed description of the itinerary), shipped to the first hotel

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/

When to travel


The climate in Central Italy is generally very mild  with  differences  depending  on  the geography  of the  region,  from  coasts  and valleys to the continental areas. The warmest months are generally July and August, with temperatures ranging from 23°C up to 30°C; the valleys can often see higher  temperatures and 38°C to 40°C is not uncommon. While June and September offer both nice warm weather. Of course, there are always exceptions or dry spells that cause a few days to get really hot.Spring (April and May) and Autumn (October and November) are dry, with sunny days but the chances of rain are high.The weather can change very quickly and you must be prepared forrain, mist, wind, fog (and even hail or snow at higher elevations) –especially in spring and autumn. 

What to bring


Clothing and other items
You will need your regular walking/cycling gear, including some sort of reflective garment. For the evenings, smart outdoor style trousers (or shorts) are invaluable, as are quick-dry t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town.

Take as little as possible to avoid potentially lugging a heavy suitcase up three flights of stairs at the end of the day. Please be aware that laundromats (“Laverie”) are not common in rural areas, so plan to do handwashing of small items.

Lightweight walking shoes/ trainers
For wearing around towns & villages. They can also be a back-up pair.

Socks & underwear
Take only good quality socks with quick-dry and insulating qualities. Road test them before you go on the trip. Take a suitable quantity of underwear as washing facilities are limited.

Warm jacket, hat, gloves
Bring a fleece, Polartec or warm layers for the evenings especially in spring or autumn; be sure it is totally suitable for your needs.
A fleece jacket which blocks the wind (Wind-stopper) is the most preferable. In the summer months a lightweight jacket is suitable for evenings.
If you are cycling/walking in mountainous or coastal areas, even in the height of summer, the weather can change very quickly and unexpectedly and you should be prepared for fog, mist, rain, snow or hail at any time. Always take an extra layer with you, as well as a warm hat and gloves.

Waterproof jacket & trousers
If you are caught in heavy rain, with good waterproof clothing you should remain dry. Remember that most garments will lose their properties over time. Few will remain waterproof for more than five years and many deteriorate in three years or less. We recommend a rain jacket with a good hood and collar and waterproof or thermal walking/cycling trousers or tights.

Dress code
In general, you should wear suitable clothing when entering a church (in many places, it is considered unacceptable to go inside wearing shorts or a tank-top). We suggest that women carry a shawl to cover up bear shoulders or low-cut tops. It also comes in handy when your shoulders get sunburned!

It is considered inappropriate for men to go without a shirt / T-shirt (other than at the beach).

Trekking poles (adjustable)
Highly recommended. A pair works best, depending on what you are comfortable with. If you suffer from back or knee pain this should be considered essential. Remember to practise walking with your pole(s) on different types of terrain in the months preceding your trip.

Walking boots
The importance of good footwear cannot be stressed enough. Your boots should be sturdy and of good enough quality to handle all types of terrain. Lightweight boots, (cordura/leather boots) which have Gore-Tex or sympatex water-proofing are most suitable for this trip. They should provide good ankle protection and be well broken in. Waxing leather boots regularly prolongs their life.

Walking tops & trousers
We recommend walking trousers and shorts and quick-dry wicking t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town. Wicking T-shirts are fast drying, keep moisture away from your skin and are available at outdoor stores. You should also bring one pair of loose-fitting trousers to wear in cities and for evenings out, etc. Shorts or zip-off trousers are useful in warmer weather.

Practical info

How to arrive


On arrival, you can reach Sasso Marconi by train from Bologna.

On departure, you can take a bus from San Piero a Sieve to Florence.

Mobile App


Use the SloWays APP for iOS and Android smart phones in combination with the written documentation provided.

The App has the detailed tracks and maps that you can use offline and without roaming. Thanks to the phone’s internal GPS, you can check your exact position on the map, so you always know exactly where you are. It also helps you self-navigate you way while travelling. More information on how to use the App inside the roadbook documents.

The navigation features include:

  • Offline navigation. Mobile data not required after initial download
  • Accurate GPS tracks
  • Autorotation of the maps
  • Daily route summary and elevation chart
  • Panorama of the track and at street level
  • Alarm and vibration that alerts you in case you go off track.
  • Emergency SMS button with position coordinates
  • Possibility to record and take georeferenced photos of problems on route alerting fellow travelers
  • Hotel information
  • Points of interest along the way
  • Historical background

Wanderlust Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2023
Wanderlust
Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2023
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Touroperating
S-Cape Countryside Travels srl
Borgo Allegri 16R
50122 Firenze FI
P. IVA 05227330486

 
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Touroperating S-Cape Countryside Travels srl Borgo Allegri 16R 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
VAT Nr 05227330486

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