Italy on a budget: walk from Bologna to Florence!
The HIKE - from Bologna to Florence
Following the original path of Via degli Dei the distance between the two cities is around 84 miles, which breaks down into 17 miles/day for 5 days. Even though it doesn't sound like much the elevation gain and the elevation loss are very significant and you shouldn't underestimate it! On top of that, if you decide to hike the trail during the summer, remember water sources might be scarce and the temperatures can be around 95°F.
Find at the bottom the details to book your stay on the hike :)
TECHNICAL DETAILS:
Distance > 22 km or 13 miles
elevation > +820m/-500m or +2700ft/-1600ft
Lenght > 6.5 hours
DAY 2: The second step of the hike is a mixture of nature and small cities in the Apennines (unfortunately you will have to walk on asphalt for a bit). Your midday stop will probably be in the town of Monzuno, where you can get a delicious to-go-lunch for super cheap. Before reaching the final destination of the day, you will also be able to admire the ruins of the park "Le Croci" from which the views are stunning. Stop in Madonna dei Fornelli, where amongst the different choices I suggest "B&B Romani": save money sleeping in the dorm and take part in a traditional group dinner for 20 €!
TECHNICAL DETAILS:
Distance > 28 km or 17 miles
Elevation > +1460m/-1000m or +4800ft/-3300ft
Lenght > 8 hours
*In case you end up being tired and want to break down this day, here's where you can stay in Monzuno!
TECHNICAL DETAILS:
Distance > 17 km or 10.5 miles
Elevation > +780m/-760m or +2550ft/-2500ft
Lenght > 6 hours
DAY 4: On the second-to-last day you start in the Apennines to end by the hills that surround Florence, which seems so close when it actually isn't. If it's hot, you will start noticing the lack of water sources in Tuscany compared to Emilia Romagna. Even though it's sad to leave beautiful naturalistic landscapes behind, it is nice to feel closer to civilisation again! San Piero a Sieve offers many options to sleep at: I actually stopped before (huge mistake) so I don't have any personal references in San Piero a Sieve, but I'll leave a suggestion at the bottom!
TECHNICAL DETAILS:
Distance > 21 km or 13 miles
Elevation > +640m / -1200m or +2100ft / 4000ft
Lenght > 6.5 hours
DAY 5: Final day! Hiking doesn't get any easier, if anything it gets harder... Even though you are supposed to leave the hills to enter Florence, basically only going downhill, the original path of Via degli Dei touches some specific locations such as Convento di Montesenario, Vetta Le Croci and Poggio Pratone, which make the trail go up and down continuously. Finally you get to the beautiful city of Fiesole from which you can get unique views over Florence... Honestly the best ones I have ever seen. Fiesole is also rich with history, so if you want to hike with less stress it's a great extra stop that simply adds a day to the itinerary. Florence is a big city, so even when you are finally there you really aren't. The hike ends in Piazza della Signoria: entering Palazzo Vecchio you will see the shop where you can collect your "prize" and get the official certification for completing Via Degli Dei. Congrats!
TECHNICAL DETAILS:
Distance > 35 km or 22 miles
Elevation > +1000m / -1000m or +3280ft / -3280ft
Lenght > 7.5 hours
Extra suggestions for the hike!
1. Bring a lot of water - like I have already said, it can get super hot in the summer, despite the altitudes and the water sources are scarce! Don't underestimate the need to stay hydrated during the hike.
2. Plan your trip ahead of time - unless you are camping, finding a place for the night can be hard. In some locations there are 2 or 3 places to stop at and the increasing popularity of the hike has made booking necessary.
3. Don't hike in mountain boots - since part of the hike is in the cities/towns and you will be walking on asphalt I suggest using a low-ankle shoe rather than hiking boots. I used Northface shoes but there are many brands out there. This is a suggestion specifically for people that don't hike very often: if you are used to hiking boots and have experience with them then you can make your own considerations.
4. Don't overpack - I personally chose not to camp because I didn't have much experience with it and I didn't want to carry the extra weight of a tent. The better option if you aren't camping, it's to stay at B&Bs or hostels (such as on the Camino de Santiago): they are pretty cheap, they usually include breakfast, an option for dinner (because in the middle of nowhere there aren't restaurants) and they can prepare sandwiches for your lunch. On top of that they are a great way to meet new people!
MAP & Tracking
Directions on the hike are pretty good: you will find red and white signs that indicate trails in Emilia Romagna (each region has different colors) and the name "Via Degli Dei" or "VDD". I also used the official app of the hike "Walk+" and it was of great help to not get lost and at least know the direction I had to follow. You can also get a paper-based map at the shops eXtraBO in Piazza Maggiore (Bologna) or in Palazzo Vecchio (Florence), or on the online store!
Find below the links to the official website of the hike and to download the app Walk+.
Suggestions on how to plan your trip
Of course if you are coming from a different continent, it's not worth it to simply come to Italy to do the hike. Luckily Via Degli Dei links two major italian destinations, that both have a lot to offer and are well-connected to the rest of the peninsula.
Bologna is not very well known by international travelers, even though it has many qualities.
- It has one of the most important airports in Italy as well as central train stations, connecting it to all European capitals and to all major italian cities through high-speed trains.
- It holds great culinary tradition, among which lasagna and bolognese sauce are probably the most well-known dishes worldwide. Don't forget about cappelletti, tortellini and piadina of course!
- Bologna's University is the oldest one in the world and still one of the biggest campuses in Italy. Blend in with the local students to spend some amazing nights roaming through the streets of the city.
- From Bologna these are the top one-day-trip destinations: Ravenna, Venice, Milan, Rimini, Ferrara, Parma and Verona. Check out my personal shop to find more specific guides for each of these cities! (Most of them are free)
Check out my guide about Bologna to plan a perfect visit!
Florence has filled with more and more tourists in the past decade, becoming one of the main destinations in Italy alongside Rome, Naples and Venice. It's a city of great artistic importance, also offering some amazing culinary experiences. With its increasing popularity, also the prices to visit Florence have skyrocketed, but luckily it is possible to visit it in just 24H if you check out my guides! Stay tuned to see the one on Florence soon.
I would suggest going to Pisa the day you finish the hike, since you will only get a half-day and that's enough to see the Leaning Tower and the main square of the city. Then spend a whole day in Florence and take a train back to Bologna after dinner.
Here's a list of one-day trips you can take from Bologna:
- Ravenna > 1 hour away by train towards the Adriatic Sea
- Rimini > famous as an old roman city for its food and sea - during the summer it hosts many concerts
- Venice > easily reacheable through high speed trains!
- Milan > if you are into fashion and art this is a city you don't want to miss out on
- Verona > city of love! Go check out Juliet's balcony and the famous Castel San Pietro
- Ferrara > ever heard of the Este family? If you are an history geek you are going to love this little town!
- Padova > an ever growing city with a lot to offer that you probably have never heard of
Places mentioned in order of appearance (check them out on the map!)
I hope all of this information is helpful and you can soon walk the Via degli Dei - I'm sure you are going to love it!If you have any more questions or if you want me to help you plan your whole trip, including the hike, don't hesitate to contact me - the first consultation call is FREE!
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