Via degli Dei by MTB, Tailor-made
Three days to cross the Apennines by MTB, riding along dirt roads and single tracks.
Cycling on the Via degli Dei by MTB means crossing the Apennines following an ancient line, where nature and history meet at every change of slope. Over three days, you will ride the official route connecting Bologna to Florence, travelling on dirt roads, single tracks, and climbs that require determination and a good pace, with the freedom to ride independently and logistical support always guaranteed.
From the streets of central Bologna, you will enter the Reno Valley, leaving the city behind to climb the first ridges towards Monzuno and Monte Galletto, where wind turbines mark the horizon and the wind accompanies your ride. The heart of the journey takes you along the Flaminia Militare, the Roman route of 187 BC emerging from the forest: a unique passage where your wheels roll over millennia-old stones and the mountain reveals its oldest past.
Descending towards the Futa Pass, effort meets memory: the largest German military cemetery in Italy is a powerful and silent place, offering a view over twentieth-century history and the entire ridgeline. From here, the journey changes pace: the Medicean Mugello enters the scene, with its gentler hills, vineyards, churches, and villages accompanying the descent towards Florence. The final kilometers offer a succession of Tuscan panoramas: Settignano, Fiesole, terraces of olive trees, and finally, the sudden appearance of Brunelleschi’s dome announcing your arrival in the city.
This itinerary is designed for those who love MTB and want to experience it independently, without giving up the security of organisation: we book the accommodations, transport the luggage, and provide assistance when needed. You can focus on the ride, the rhythm of the trail, and the landscapes that make this crossing one of the most evocative in the Apennines.
Program
Day 1
We will meet at Piazza XX Settembre, where we will welcome you for a brief briefing before departure. You will find yourself in the heart of Bologna, from where you will begin following the bike path along the Reno River. You will cross Casalecchio di Reno and the Parco Talon, continuing towards the San Gherardo Oasis.
You will reach Sasso Marconi, where the Romanesque Vizzano Bridge is worth a short detour. You will then follow the MTB trail climbing from Via Ganzole up to Vite del Fantini, before continuing towards Badolo, skirting the Monte Adone massif. You will reach Brento and Monzuno, from where the long dirt climb towards Monte Galletto begins, riding under the large wind turbines that mark the ridge. The final descent will take you to Madonna dei Fornelli along a wide and flowing dirt road.
Day 2
From Madonna dei Fornelli, you will immediately tackle the climb to Monte dei Cucchi, crossing one of the most scenic beech forests of the Apennines. Once you reach Pian di Balestra, you will cross the border between Emilia and Tuscany, entering the most exciting section of the day: the Flaminia Militare, an ancient road from 187 BC, featuring splendid stretches of Roman paving on Monte Bastione.
You will climb to Banditacce and descend towards the Futa Pass, home to the largest German military cemetery in Italy. You will continue to Monte Gazzaro, passing the legendary Passo dell’Osteria Bruciata, before descending towards Sant’Agata and finally reaching San Piero a Sieve.
Day 3
You will leave San Piero a Sieve heading towards the Medicean Fortress of San Martino, commissioned by Cosimo I de’ Medici. You will continue on dirt roads among rows of cypresses, reaching Tagliaferro and the Castello del Trebbio, a residence beloved by Lorenzo the Magnificent and now a UNESCO heritage site. You will tackle the climb to the Convent of Monte Senario, a mystical place founded in 1234, before descending towards Valdisieve and Polcanto.
You will pass through Caldine, a village in the Florentine countryside, before the final panoramic descent that will take you to Settignano and Fiesole, with its unique view over Florence. You will conclude the journey descending towards the Bridge over the Mensola, to make a triumphant entry into Piazza della Signoria.
The price includes
- Overnight stay with breakfast
- Welcome and briefing on the day of departure
- Pilgrim Credential
- Paper map and guide (1 per group)
- Medical/luggage insurance
- Booking/administration fee
The price does not include
- Single room supplement (subject to availability – not available in many accommodations and not always with private bathroom)
- Luggage transport from one accommodation to another – 1 item only, maximum dimensions 55×40×20 cm (on request)
- Bike rental
- Dinners, lunches, food, drinks and extras not listed
- Tourist tax, where applicable, to be paid at the accommodation
- Transfer to/from Bologna and Florence
- Travel by public transport
- Any transfers to skip a stage
- Cancellation insurance (optional)
- Anything not listed under “The price includes”
How to get there
The journey starts in Bologna, easily reachable by train from all major Italian cities. The central station is well connected by public transport and is just a few minutes from the meeting point.
At the end of the route, you will reach Florence, from where you can conveniently return by train. Santa Maria Novella station is just a few minutes’ walk from the final point of the stage, making your journey home easy.
If you prefer to arrive by car, you can leave your vehicle in long-term parking near the station or in areas served by public transport.
Accommodation
For this journey, we have selected small local accommodations, run by families and hosts who have kept the tradition of hospitality in the Apennines alive for generations. Some accommodations are simple and basic: precisely for this reason, they allow you to experience an authentic, genuine stay deeply connected to the territory.
Notes
To confirm your booking, a deposit of €100 per person is required: €50 as an administrative fee (non-refundable) and €100 as a deposit for the trip.
To ensure we can meet your requests, we recommend sending your booking at least 15 days in advance, which becomes 30 days in June, July, and August, or for departures close to public holidays and long weekends.
If the booking is made within 30 days of departure, full payment will be required immediately.