Hiking around Bologna: 5 day trips and the long trails that start from the city
Hiking around Bologna: from San Luca under the portico to the first stage of the Via degli Dei, Parco dei Gessi, Monte Adone and Monte Sole. How to get there.
In short
Hiking around Bologna almost always starts on foot from the city centre. The easiest is the climb to San Luca under the longest portico in the world. For a full day there is the first stage of the Via degli Dei, from Piazza Maggiore to Badolo: about 21 km and over 800 metres of elevation gain. By train you can quickly reach Sasso Marconi and Monte Adone, or the Monte Sole Historical Park. And if you set off on a multi-day trail, we carry your luggage for the first stages of the Via degli Dei.
Hiking around Bologna: the walks compared
| Walk | Where | Effort | How to get there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climb to San Luca | From the centre to the Colle della Guardia | Easy, steady uphill | On foot from the centre |
| Via degli Dei, stage 1 | Piazza Maggiore – Badolo | Demanding: about 21 km and 800 m of climbing | On foot from Piazza Maggiore |
| Parco dei Gessi and Calanchi dell'Abbadessa | Hills to the south-east, less than 20 km from the centre | Easy to moderate | Towards San Lazzaro di Savena |
| Monte Adone and the Contrafforte Pliocenico | Sasso Marconi, Monzuno, Pianoro | Moderate | Train to Sasso Marconi, then trail |
| Monte Sole Historical Park | Marzabotto, Monzuno, Grizzana Morandi | Moderate | Train to Marzabotto, then trail |
Urban hiking: up to San Luca under 666 arches
It's the walk every Bolognese person has done at least once. The San Luca portico is the longest in the world: over 3.5 km and 666 arches from the city to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, on the Colle della Guardia. Since 2021 it has been part of the porticoes of Bologna inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
You start from Porta Saragozza and the real climb begins at the Arco del Meloncello, built in 1732. Along the way you pass fifteen chapels dedicated to the Mysteries of the Rosary. The slope is steady: nothing technical, but your legs will notice.
If you want some variety:
- Via Panoramica: starts from the Parco della Chiusa (the Talon) in Casalecchio, passes through Montagnola di Mezzo and reaches the sanctuary from behind.
- Sentiero dei Bregoli: about 1.7 km through the woods, steep. Before going, check with Bologna Welcome that it is open after the latest floods.
- Without climbing on foot: there is TPER bus 20 to Villa Spada and then the 58 (infrequent, check the timetable), or the San Luca Express tourist train from Piazza Maggiore.
Via degli Dei: the first stage, from Piazza Maggiore to Badolo
The Via degli Dei connects Piazza Maggiore to Piazza della Signoria in Florence: about 125-130 km, usually divided into 6 stages to be done in 5-7 days. The first stage is an excellent hike even on its own: it climbs under the porticoes to San Luca, descends towards Casalecchio di Reno and Sasso Marconi and arrives at Badolo.
According to the official Via degli Dei guide it is about 21 km, with 817 metres of ascent and 515 of descent, for almost 7 hours of walking. The second stage, from Badolo to Madonna dei Fornelli via Brento, Monte Adone and Monzuno, is the longest and hardest of the trail: 28 km and over 1,400 metres of ascent.
A few tips:
- Pilgrim credential and GPX tracks: you can find them on the eXtraBO website (extrabo.com).
- Season: spring and early autumn are the best seasons, but the trail can be walked all year round.
- Accommodation: book in advance, especially on spring weekends.
Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi and Calanchi dell'Abbadessa
Less than 20 km from the centre, on the first hills south-east of the city, there is an unexpected landscape: gypsum, badlands and over 130 caves. The park stretches between the Savena, Zena, Idice and Quaderna streams. The Passo dell'Abbadessa is a narrow ridge between the badlands, and at least 17 species of bats live in the park. Near the Croara stands the ancient Villa Miserazzano. The reference point for visits is the Farneto area, in San Lazzaro di Savena.
Monte Adone and the Contrafforte Pliocenico
Sandstone walls, towers and spires carved by erosion, shell fossils in the rock: the Contrafforte Pliocenico tells of the time when there was a sea gulf here. The reserve extends for about 15 km between Sasso Marconi, Monzuno and Pianoro, with Monte Adone, the Rocca di Badolo and Monte Rosso. The Via degli Dei passes through it on its second stage. Sasso Marconi has a station on the railway line to Porretta, convenient for setting off without a car.
Monte Sole Historical Park: nature and remembrance
Less than 40 km from Bologna, between Marzabotto, Monzuno and Grizzana Morandi, Monte Sole is a place to be walked with respect. Almost the whole area is that of the 1944 massacre, in which hundreds of civilians were killed. Since 1989 it has been a park that protects the environment and promotes a culture of peace. The Memorial trail touches the sites of the massacre and climbs to the summit of Monte Sole. Along the way there is the Il Poggiolo visitor centre. Marzabotto also has a station on the line to Porretta.
Multi-day trails that start from Bologna
Besides the Via degli Dei, Bologna is the starting point of other trails:
- Via dei Gessi e dei Calanchi: 102 km in 7 stages to Brisighella, among gypsum, badlands and villages such as Dozza.
- Via Mater Dei: about 157 km in 7 stages towards the Tuscan border, dedicated to Marian sanctuaries. More demanding and less crowded.
- Via dei Brentatori: about 50 km in two days from Piazza Maggiore towards the Samoggia Valley, among the Pignoletto vineyards.
And what about your suitcase?
Hiking is done with a backpack, not a wheeled suitcase. But travellers usually also have a suitcase, and that's where problems begin.
If you go hiking on your last day in the city, Ambrogio picks up your luggage at your hotel or B&B after check-out and delivers it to the station or to the Marconi Express entrance at the time of your train or flight. You climb to San Luca light, and your suitcase waits for you at departure. The price is per trip, from 18 euros for one suitcase (launch promotional price): book the pickup.
If you set off on the Via degli Dei, we carry your luggage during the first stages of the trail. It is a quote-based service: ask us for a quote stating dates and stages.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest hike near Bologna?
The climb to San Luca under the portico: it starts from the centre, is entirely on paved road and has no technical passages. You just need a bit of breath for the climb after the Arco del Meloncello.
How long is the first stage of the Via degli Dei?
About 21 km from Piazza Maggiore to Badolo, with 817 metres of ascent and almost 7 hours of walking, according to the official route guide.
Can you hike around Bologna without a car?
Yes. San Luca and the Via degli Dei start on foot from the centre, while Sasso Marconi and Marzabotto have a railway station on the line to Porretta.
Where can I find the Via degli Dei credential?
The credential and GPX tracks can be found on the eXtraBO website (extrabo.com), indicated in the official guide to the trail.
Who carries the luggage on the Via degli Dei?
Ambrogio carries luggage during the first stages of the trail, on request for a quote. For later stages there are specialised tour operators.
In conclusion
Around Bologna you can walk for an hour or a week: from the stroll under the San Luca portico to the badlands of the Parco dei Gessi, from the sandstone of Monte Adone to the remembrance of Monte Sole, up to the 125 and more kilometres of the Via degli Dei. Choose your trail, put on your backpack and leave the rest to us. On Ambrogio in Bologna you'll find more tips for enjoying the city hands-free.