“Via degli Dei” between Bologna and Florence

“Via degli Dei” between Bologna and Florence

via_degli_dei“Via degli Dei” is a journey of about 125 km which connects Bologna and Florence through the Apennines. Built by the Romans as a military street of strategic importance, today the route is very ruined and at some points almost disappears covered by vegetation. Over the centuries the road has been traversed by armies, wayfarers, merchants and pilgrims who moved from north to south of the peninsula or vice versa. Along the way you will find Mount Adone, Mount Venere, Mount Lario … hence the name of “Via degli Dei”.

If you are well trained you can travel the road in just two days. But be careful you have to be prepared to face very challenging slopes and bring your bike to the shoulders even for long stretches. Especially in the Tuscan stretch the climbs are certainly steep and some are invaded by thorns and plants that make pedaling impossible.

During the trip you will not encounter many indications so it is necessary to have GPS navigator to follow the trail of the original route. The best bike to deal with the Way of the Gods is probably a Full XC marathon or all-mountain, very light and performing downhill.

THE ROUTE

Day 1: Bologna – Passo della Futa (75 km – 2200 mt)

Starting from the Piazza Maggiore in the heart of the historic center of Bologna and following the cycle paths, you safely arrive in the neighboring municipality of Casalecchio di Reno. After the first 20 km, there is the first impact with the Apennines: two climbs of 17%, that allow you to climb rapidly. You continues along a series of trails to the village of Brento. Before you leave, you should stock up on water and take refreshment in the country.

path_via_degli_dei Sign_via_degli_dei

From the village, finally, you begins to pedal on the ancient Roman military road, today, reduced to a sloping and unfinished bottom that puts considerable pressure on the balance of the biker and on the tires.

At the end of this stretch, continues the asphalt and rises up to the town of Monzuno, originally Mons Iovis or Mount Giove. The view is awesome … fields of wheat, mountains and stone houses isolated in the countryside surrounded by almost unreal silence. After passing the country it is best to stop at the source of the mule and fill the bottles. You continue to climb until you reach the top of the mountain where there is a wind farm. Then begins a very pleasant descent on a wide white road leading to Madonna dei Fornelli.

via_degli_dei Bike_path

From here begins perhaps the most beautiful stretch of the way. You go back to the Roman road and you follow very steep and technical downhills, in the middle of a resin scented conifer forest, then back up to reach the highest point of the route: the summit of Mount Cucco (1120 mt). The climbing path is very narrow and in some points ruined, you should take the bike on your shoulders and climb on foot.

Another section downhill, but on asphalt, brings back to Fratte and continues to the Passo della Futa.

Day 2: Passo della Futa – Florence (65 km – 1550 mt)

Starting from the German military cemetery where the Nazi soldiers who lost their lives on the Gothic Line have been buried. The war front crossed Italy right in these places and left indelible signs on the countries of the area.

firenzuola_cimitero_militare_germanico_della_futa

Beyond the Passo della Futa you continue downhill on asphalt with some very beautiful bends. After some curves, however, you go back to dirt road for about 10 km with an average slope of 22% up to the Passo of the Osteria Bruciata. From here starts a very technical downhill with difference in height of almost 1000 mt, you need to be really careful if you do not want to risk falling, in case of extreme difficulty you better get off the bike and push. The bottom is ruined by plants, stone slabs, thorns and by ruts of dirt bikes.

At the end of the descent you will find the village of San Piero a Sieve, a perfect stop for refreshment and water supply. Just outside the small village you have to face another climb with 17% slope. Then, you continue on a path that becomes drovers’ road and becomes almost impassable forcing you to walk with the bike on the shoulders. You go up for about 10 km until the Convent of Monte Senario.

Via_dei montesenario

After a break at the convent you go down to Fiesole, crossing a wheat-grown hill in which there is no trail signed: everyone is free to follow the trajectory that prefers. It is a very evocative stretch which pays for all the fatigue made.

At the height of the town you will find another climb, this time the last, and after a technical downhill from enduro you come to the plain on the outskirts of Florence. The center is not far but there is no bike path to reach it. Goal of the path in Piazza della Signoria.