Bologna Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

1. 1

   Portico di San Luca Walk to the Sanctuary

   About 3.8 km one way (~2.4 miles) under 666 arches with 15 chapelsAbout 1 hour up at a steady pace; 1.5 hours with stopseasyRoughly 220 m of ascent (~720 ft) from the city gate to the sanctuary on Colle della Guardia, about 290 m above sea level

   The world's longest portico leads from Porta Saragozza to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, built 1674-1739. The arcade is part of the UNESCO porticoes of Bologna and the path is paved and covered the whole way.

2. 2

   Parco Giardino Villa Ghigi Loops

   Loops of about 3-5 km (~2-3 miles) on marked paths1-2 hourseasyGentle to moderate, roughly 100-150 m of ascent across the park

   A public park of meadows, woods and farmland on the hill above Bologna, with sweeping views of the city and the Colle della Guardia.

3. 3

   Gessi Bolognesi and Calanchi dell'Abbadessa Regional Park

   Marked footpaths of about 3-8 km (~2-5 miles), depending on the loop chosen2-4 hourseasyMostly gentle, with short climbs of 100-200 m (~330-650 ft) between gypsum ridges and clay gullies

   A protected area of gypsum karst, sinkholes, caves and clay badlands just east of Bologna. The Evaporite Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines, which includes this area, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

4. 4

   Monte Sole Historical Park Memorial Route

   Varies by route; the memorial route links the main massacre sites and the summit, and walkers should plan a half to a full day (park map available from Ente Parchi Emilia Orientale)Half day to full day, depending on the routemoderateModerate; the park rises to about 600-700 m across forested ridges and former farmland

   A 6,300-hectare regional park created in 1989 to protect the landscape and remember the Monte Sole massacre of 29 September - 5 October 1944, when more than 770 civilians were killed. Panels in Italian and English mark the memorial sites, including the church of Casaglia.

5. 5

   Corno alle Scale and Lago Scaffaiolo

   About 10 km (~6.2 miles) round trip to Lago Scaffaiolo from the Cavone trailhead; the ring around Corno alle Scale is longerAbout 3 hours of walking to Scaffaiolo and back; 5-6 hours for the Corno ringmoderateAbout 300 m of ascent (~985 ft) to Lago Scaffaiolo (1,775 m); the Corno alle Scale summit is 1,945 m

   A high Apennine route above the tree line to the small glacial Lago Scaffaiolo, with a refuge, Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi, and views toward the Tuscan side. Guided sunrise outings run from the Cavone with Cooperativa Madreselva (escursionismo@coopmadreselva.it, tel +39 349 4653877, booking required).

6. 6

   Via degli Dei: Bologna to Florence

   About 125-130 km (~78-81 miles) across the Apennines5-6 walking days in the standard plan; some walkers take 4 or add rest dayshardHighest point Cima delle Banditacce at about 1,200 m (~3,940 ft); the route climbs and descends repeatedly

   The long-distance path from Bologna to Florence follows an old Roman military road discovered in the 1970s. Accommodation and food are available at villages along each stage, but rooms in peak season should be booked ahead.

7. 7

   Chiusa di Casalecchio and Parco Talon Riverside Walk

   About 4-6 km (~2.5-3.7 miles) round trip along the Reno path and the Canale di Reno1.5-2.5 hourseasyNearly flat, under 80 m of ascent

   An easy riverside walk from the Chiusa di Casalecchio, a medieval-origin weir that sends water to the Canale di Reno and into Bologna, past the Parco della Chiusa and the Villa Sampieri Talon gardens.

8. 8

   Monte Adone Ridge from Brento

   About 8-12 km (~5-7.5 miles) depending on the start point3-4 hoursmoderateModerate, roughly 350-450 m of ascent to the ridge at about 650 m

   A ridge walk over Monte Adone, a landmark on the Via degli Dei, with views toward the Reno valley and the Bolognese hills.

9. 9

   Monte Sabbiuno Memorial Path

   Short loops of about 2-4 km (~1.2-2.5 miles)1-2 hourseasyModerate, about 100-200 m of ascent over clay and gully paths

   A path across clay badlands to the memorial for the Sabbiuno killings of December 1944, a quiet counterpart to Monte Sole.

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.