Via della Lana e della Seta by MTB, Tailor-made
Three days between Emilia and Tuscany, riding through the wildest heart of the Apennines.
The Via della Lana e della Seta by MTB is a journey through a wild and surprising Apennines, where industrial history, twentieth-century memory and the most authentic nature coexist in balance. Over three days, you will retrace the historic link between Bologna and Prato along a demanding route, rich in steep climbs, technical descents and sections that open onto unexpected landscapes. You will travel independently, with the peace of mind of having everything organised: pre-booked accommodation, an initial briefing, assistance along the route and luggage transport from stage to stage.
From the Historical Park of Monte Sole, where silence preserves the memory of a past that still speaks, you will enter dense beech and chestnut forests that inspired artists such as Giorgio Morandi. The climbs towards the ridgelines reveal a landscape in constant transformation: wind-swept crests, deep valleys and stone villages that tell the story of mountain life in times gone by.
The most thrilling section leads you towards the high grasslands of Calvana, one of the few places in Italy where wild horses still live, roaming freely across sunlit uplands. Here, MTB becomes the most direct way to connect with the Apennines at its most unfiltered. As the descent gradually softens and the landscape shifts in mood, the first traces of industrial archaeology linking Bologna and Prato begin to appear: canals, mills, wool and silk factories that have shaped these valleys for centuries.
Program
Day 1
We will meet at Piazza XX Settembre, where we will hand you the materials and guide you through a brief briefing before departure. You will find yourself in the centre of Bologna, from where you will cross Casalecchio di Reno, following the historic Chiusa, a medieval masterpiece that powered mills and spinning factories. You will then pedal along the Reno River to Sasso Marconi, the gateway to the Historical Park of Monte Sole, where history recounts the tragic events of 1944.
You will climb through beech and chestnut forests, reaching the summits of Santa Barbara and Monte Salvaro, places marked by the actions of the Stella Rossa Partisan Brigade. You will end the day in Grizzana Morandi, a landscape that inspired the works of Giorgio Morandi, where you will rediscover the famous Fienili del Campiaro, which still preserve the essential charm of his paintings.
Day 2
You will set off again from Grizzana Morandi, following the ridgeline that separates the valleys of the Reno and the Setta, one of the most spectacular sections of the entire route. You will cross Castiglione dei Pepoli, dominated by the Palazzo Pepoli and the Clock Tower, and you can visit the Paolo Guidotti Cultural Centre, custodian of Apennine history from the Neolithic to the twentieth century.
You will continue through beech and chestnut forests until you enter Tuscany, arriving in the village of Vernio, which preserves the Rocca, the Palazzo Comitale and the memories of the Bardi family. The descent towards the Val di Bisenzio will anticipate the Tuscan atmosphere that will accompany the final stage.
Day 3
You will leave Vernio to reach the Calvana Massif, the wild heart of the Prato Apennines, characterized by open grasslands, alberese stone rocks, and a unique ecosystem. You will ride through a territory where about 80 feral horses live freely, a natural symbol of these mountains and the subject of studies by the University of Florence.
You will pass extraordinary views over the Prato plain before descending towards the city of wool, crossing key sites of industrial archaeology such as the Cavalciotto, the gore, and the ancient fulling mills. You will conclude the journey in the historic centre of Prato, where nature and industrial history meet in a single, evocative setting.
Domande frequenti
If, within 20 days of departure, the group has not reached the minimum number, the trip will be cancelled. We will notify you by email of the available options: join another scheduled departure or request a refund of the deposit paid.
No, our groups have no age limits (except for the Under 40 departures). Anyone who wishes to participate can do so, provided they have the physical preparation required for the trip.
Of course, many of our clients register individually. We then arrange rooms trying to match gender, age, and origin. A single room request is subject to an additional fee and is available upon request (not possible on all trips/nights).
The price includes
- Overnight stay with breakfast
- GAE guide for the entire duration of the trip
- Pilgrim Credential
- Medical/luggage insurance
- Booking/administration fee
The price does not include
- Single room supplement (subject to availability – not available in many accommodations)
- Bike rental
- Luggage transport from one accommodation to another – 1 item only, maximum dimensions 55x40x20 cm (on request)
- Dinners, lunches, food, drinks and extras not listed
- Transfer to/from Bologna and for the return from Prato
- Tourist tax, where applicable (to be paid at the accommodation)
- Cancellation insurance (optional)
- Anything not listed under “The price includes”
How to get there
The trip departs from Bologna, easily reachable by train from all major Italian cities. The central station is well connected with public transport and is just a few minutes from the meeting point where we will handle luggage drop-off and the initial briefing.
If you prefer to arrive by car, you can park in the long-term parking lots near the station or in other areas served by public transport.
The journey concludes in Prato, a city well connected to the entire Italian rail network. Prato Centrale station is a short distance from the arrival point, allowing for an easy and convenient return home.
Accommodation
For this trip, we have selected small local accommodations, run by families and hosts who have kept the tradition of hospitality in the Apennines alive for generations. The rooms are shared, generally arranged as doubles, triples, quadruples, and in some cases dormitories (separated by gender). Some accommodations are simple and spartan: precisely for this reason, they allow you to experience an authentic, genuine, and deeply local stay.
Notes
To confirm your booking, a deposit of €150.00 per person is required: €50.00 as a non-refundable administration fee and €100.00 as a deposit for the trip.
To ensure we can meet your requests, we recommend sending your booking at least 15 days in advance, or 30 days in June, July, August, and for departures close to public holidays and long weekends.
If the booking is made within 30 days prior to departure, full payment will be required immediately.