Short version of the Via degli Dei between Bologna and Florence
Short version of the Via degli Dei between Bologna and Florence

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
€ 465
CO2e FOOTPRINT
94 Kg/person
Calculate price
  1. Italy
    2.  | 
  2. Self-Guided
    3.  | 
  3. 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

Please accept the cookies from our partners in order to access this content.

Please note that the cookies will allow our partners to establish a profile of your interests, based on your browsing behavior.

You can change your choice at any time by clicking on "Cookies settings" at the bottom of our website.

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, 17 km
From Badolo to Monzuno, 17 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: 17 km

Elevation gain: +755/-580 m

Day 3

From Monzuno to Bruscoli, 19,5 km
From Monzuno to Bruscoli, 19,5 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: 19,5 km

Elevation gain: +975/-670 m

Day 4

From Bruscoli to San Piero a Sieve, 30 or 22 km
From Bruscoli to San Piero a Sieve, 30 or 22 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: 30 or 22 km

Elevation gain: +740/-1470 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

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

Classic Hotels

Accommodation on Our Trips

Our adventures feature a variety of accommodations, depending on the location and the type of trip you choose. We carefully select each property, ensuring it is well situated along the route and locally run, so that you receive a warm welcome and enjoy a comfortable, authentic experience.

Your comfort is a priority throughout your travels. Most of our trips include stays in friendly, independent, or family-run hotels, guest houses, and B&Bs. Each accommodation is chosen for its charm, cleanliness, and those personal touches that make you feel at home. Some trips offer more elevated stays that feel like a special treat, while others may include simpler options, such as mountain refuges, particularly in remote areas.

Classic Hotels – Comfort with Character

Most of our trips combine a variety of accommodation styles to suit the route and location. You will typically stay in charming, locally owned B&Bs, guest houses, inns, and small hotels that offer a warm welcome and comfortable surroundings. These properties often feature extra touches such as distinctive regional character, leisure facilities, or renowned local cuisine.

All accommodations feature private ensuite bathrooms unless otherwise specifically noted for mountain huts, refuges, and pilgrim hostels.

On some mountain adventures and selected pilgrimage routes, the experience may also include more basic accommodation, such as mountain huts, refuges, or pilgrim hostels, where ensuite rooms are not always available and shared bathrooms or dormitory-style accommodation may be part of the experience.

While simpler in style, these accommodations are often rich in atmosphere and camaraderie, providing an authentic connection with fellow travellers and the places you visit.

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).

 

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.

 

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. 

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.

 

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. 

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. 

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

GUIBO is the app that allows you to easily follow your daily walking routes, with maps, tracks and useful information always available on your smartphone.

Practical information
With the download you will have access to three main sections:

  • Tour itinerary: the complete map of your trip with day-by-day routes.
  • Things to know: useful information such as emergency numbers, travel programme, accommodations and points of interest.
  • Service: technical support, FAQs and assistance if needed.

What to bring with you

To use the app at its best, we recommend having:

  • A fully charged smartphone or tablet (iPhone, iPad or Android)
  • The GUIBO travel app installed
  • The credentials to unlock your trip
  • A fully charged power bank

You may also like:

VIA DEGLI DEI, BOLOGNA TO FLORENCE

Via degli Dei, Bologna to Florence

Location Italy
Duration 8 days
Walking
Level
Comfort Standard
From € 901
Discover tour
VIA ROMEA GERMANICA: STAGE 1, FORLÌ TO CHIUSI Self-Guided

Via Romea Germanica: Stage 1, Forlì to Chiusi

Location Italy
Duration 7 days
Walking
Level
Comfort Standard
From € 1.136
Discover tour
VIA DEGLI DEI EASY Self-Guided

Via degli Dei Easy

Location Italy
Duration 8 days
Level
Comfort Standard
From € 1.050
Discover tour

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know Before You Walk

What is the difference between this trip and the full Via degli Dei?

This 5-day itinerary covers the central 65 km of the Via degli Dei, from Sasso Marconi to San Piero a Sieve. It skips the urban exit from Bologna and the final approach into Florence, focusing instead on the most dramatic section of the route: the Apennine crossing, the Contrafforte Pliocenico, and the ancient Roman road of the Flaminia Militare. If you have more time and want to walk the complete route from Bologna to Florence, our 8-day Via degli Dei is the natural next step.

We do not recommend this itinerary for first-time multi-day walkers. The terrain is technically demanding, with unstable ground, continuous elevation changes, and stages of up to 30 km. If you are new to self-guided walking holidays, we suggest starting with a shorter or flatter route. Get in touch and we will help you find the right option for your level.

Luggage transfer between accommodations is included every day. On day 2, a transfer also takes you from Sasso Marconi to the actual trailhead in Badolo, so you start walking from the right point without extra logistics. Your bag will be waiting at each hotel before dinner. You walk with only what you need for the day.

The trip starts in Sasso Marconi, easily reached by train from Bologna in around 20 minutes. Bologna is well connected by high-speed rail from Milan (1 hour), Florence (35 minutes), and Rome (2 hours), and by air via Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport. At the end of the trip, San Piero a Sieve is connected to Florence by bus, with the journey taking approximately 45 minutes. Transfers to and from the route are not included but can be arranged on request.

Yes. This is a self-guided itinerary, designed for independent walkers who prefer to travel at their own pace without a group or guide. Accommodations are pre-booked, luggage is transferred daily, and you navigate using the GUIBO app with offline maps. Our team is available by phone 24 hours a day throughout the trip. If you are travelling alone and need a single room, a supplement applies.

Contact us

Wanderlust Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2026
extraSmallDevice
smallDevice
mediumDevice
largeDevice
largeDevice
largeDevice