Via degli Dei in Gravel, Tailor‑made
Three days to cross the Apennines on a gravel bike, riding through nature and history.
The Via degli Dei in gravel version takes you across the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, following for the most part the ancient route that connected Bologna to Florence since Etruscan times. You will ride along dirt roads and farm tracks that trace long stretches of the Flaminia Militare, the Roman road built in 187 BC by Consul Gaius Flaminius. Among beech forests and ridgelines, some original paved sections still emerge from the ground, telling a story that has left its mark on the mountains.
The gravel route was designed to make the hiking path smoother while preserving the charm of Apennine dirt tracks and easing the less rideable sections. The surface alternates between dirt roads, beech and chestnut forests, short singletracks, and some technical sections requiring attention; on rare occasions, you may need to dismount and push your bike, letting the rhythm follow the mountain.
The Via degli Dei thus becomes a timeline to traverse on two wheels: from the porticoes climbing towards San Luca to the millennia-old stones of the Flaminia Militare, from the mists of Passo della Futa to the ceramics of Fiesole shining at sunset. It is a three-day Trans-Apennine journey, intense and surprising, requiring strong legs and an open spirit. In return, it offers deep panoramas, suspended villages, and the rare sensation of riding through a living history.
We take care of the organization: accommodation, luggage transport, support along the route. You can focus on pedaling, following the rhythm of the trail, and enjoying the landscapes that make this crossing one of the most evocative in the Apennines.
Program
Day 1
We will meet in Piazza XX Settembre, where we will welcome you for a brief briefing before departure. You will start from the medieval heart of Bologna, leaving Piazza Maggiore and its porticoes to climb towards the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, reached via the famous Portico of San Luca, a UNESCO heritage site. From here, the panorama opens onto the Apennines.
You will descend towards Casalecchio di Reno, crossing the Parco della Chiusa and following the Reno River along shaded bike paths. You will then climb the Bologna hills, entering the Contrafforte Pliocenico Nature Reserve, a unique landscape of fossil sandstones and ancient seabeds. You will tackle the climb to Monte Adone, an icon of the Via degli Dei, with its rock formations and panoramic valley views. The route continues through the woods towards Monzuno until reaching Madonna dei Fornelli, the gateway to the densest beech forests of the journey.
Day 2
You will climb towards the ridge, passing through dense beech forests until reaching Pian di Balestra and Monte Bastione, where you will ride along the best-preserved sections of the Flaminia Militare, with its Roman paving from 187 B.C.
You will cross the Piana degli Ossi, where the remains of Roman kilns emerge, then reach the Passo della Futa with the monumental German Military Cemetery, a place of silent remembrance. From here, you will tackle the long descent into Tuscany, crossing the legendary Passo dell’Osteria Bruciata and descending into the Mugello among woods, cypresses, and olive groves, until reaching the village of San Piero a Sieve, a historic crossroads at the foot of the Apennines.
Day 3
You will leave San Piero a Sieve, climbing towards the Medici Fortress of San Martino, built by Cosimo I de’ Medici in the 16th century. You will continue towards Tagliaferro and the Badia di Buonsollazzo, before reaching the Convent of Monte Senario, nestled in a forest of centuries-old fir trees.
From here, you will begin the descent towards Fiesole, among olive groves, cypresses, and Renaissance villas. You will enjoy views over the Arno and the city, with the Roman Theatre and Archaeological Area showcasing the ancient Etruscan history.
You will descend towards San Domenico and finally enter Florence, where the Brunelleschi’s Dome will announce your arrival in the historic center. The journey concludes at Piazza della Signoria, the vibrant heart of the Renaissance city.
The price includes
- Overnight stay with breakfast
- Welcome and briefing on the day of departure
- Camino Credential
- Paper map and guidebook (1 per group)
- Medical/luggage insurance
- Administrative 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 piece only, maximum dimensions 55×40×20 cm (on request)
- Bike rental
- Dinners, lunches, food, drinks, and extras not included
- City tax, where applicable, to be paid at the accommodation
- Transfer to/from Bologna and Florence
- Public transport expenses
- 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 a few minutes’ walk from the final point of the stage, making travel back home easy.
If you prefer to arrive by car, you can park in long-stay parking areas near the station or in zones served by public transport.
Accommodation
For this trip, we have chosen small local accommodations, run by families and hosts who have preserved the tradition of hospitality in the Apennines for generations. Some facilities are simple and rustic: precisely for this reason, they allow you to experience an authentic, genuine journey deeply connected to the territory.
Notes
To confirm your booking, a deposit of €150 per person is required: €50 as a non-refundable booking management fee and €100 as a deposit for the trip. To ensure we can accommodate your requests, we recommend sending your booking at least 15 days in advance, which becomes 30 days in June, July, and August, and for departures close to holidays or long weekends.
If the booking is made within 30 days of departure, full payment will be required immediately.