STAGE 01: Loiano to Quinzano

Departure: Loiano
Arrival: Quinzano
Distance: 10.5 km
Height difference: +419m / – 645 m

The Bologna Montana Art Trail kicks off in the heart of the Bolognese Apennines, in Loiano, a village nestled among woods and views that open the way for the encounter between contemporary art and nature. From the central Piazza Dall’Olio you set off to discover a landscape that alternates between fragrant pine forests, dirt paths and small villages full of charm.

Crossing the silent green of the pine forest, one reaches Vezzano, where there is a farm with an ancient little church, guardian of an authentic and timeless atmosphere. Continuing along the country paths, one arrives near Ca’ de’ Ricci, where nature meets art with Symbiosis, the first Land Art work on the route, a symbol of the balance between man and landscape.

The path continues downhill to the Zena stream, which we cross and then climb back up to Monte delle Formiche, an extraordinary place known for the natural phenomenon of winged ants, which perform their striking nuptial flight here every September.

From here we enter the Monte Bibele Archaeological Park, an area of great historical and scenic value. Among the remains of an ancient Etruscan-Celtic settlement and a necropolis with more than 170 tombs is the second work of Land Art: the Celtic Boar., an emblem of strength, courage and connection to the land.

We then continue along Via della Carrozza surrounded by chestnut groves where we encounter Sound Rain, an installation that transforms wind and rain into a natural harmony to conclude the first STAGE in the village of Quinzano where, near the Civic Center, one is greeted by the fascinating work Free-Mind.

STAGE 03: Monghidoro to Castel dell’Alpi.

Departure: Monghidoro
Arrival: Castel dell’Alpi
Distance: 19 km
Height difference: +907m / – 1045 m

The third STAGE of the Bologna Montana Art Trail starts from the heart of Monghidoro, an ancient village in the Bolognese Apennines, and makes its way through forests, ridges and views as far as the eye can see. The first steps lead next to Castelletti Park and the hamlet of Pian dei Grilli, where the quiet of nature accompanies the slow pace of the walk.

The route continues through meadows and centuries-old beech forests, passing by the Triton Park Adventure Park and the Fantorno Refuge, which houses the work Triton, a reminder of the element of water and the hidden life of mountain forests. Continuing to climb, you reach the Croce dell’Alpe di Monghidoro, the highest point of the trail, 1,230 meters: from here the view opens to the valleys below and, on a clear day, to the Alps.

The descent offers enchanting views and passes through places with ancient charm such as the Mazzone Mill, where the Cervi family, Ca’ del Gappa and the picturesque Mandrullo Mill, here the sound of water tells stories of a rural past. Skirting the Savena River, one encounters. The Door of the Shrouds, a work that symbolizes the transition between nature and imagination.

The last stretch leads to Lake Castel dell’Alpi, the only natural reservoir in the Bolognese Apennines. Here, among crystal-clear waters and silent forests, there are art installations that dialogue with the environment, such as The Sword in the Stone, a symbol of strength and legend.

Surrounded by mountains, art and spectacular views, we conclude a STAGE that combines nature, creativity and memory, offering an authentic experience in the heart of the Bolognese Apennines.

STAGE 04: Castel dell’Alpi to S. Benedetto Val di Sambro

Departure: Castel dell’Alpi
Arrival: Benedetto Val di Sambro
Distance: 18.5 km
Height difference: +764 m / – 854 m

The fourth STAGE of the Bologna Montana Art Trail starts from the charming village of Castel dell’Alpi, set among woods and clear waters, and heads south crossing the bridge that connects the lake to the Apennine trails. The path climbs through fir forests and rural hamlets to Malburo, and where in the silence of the mountain that accompanies the gaze over the surrounding ridges, one is surprised by the imposing Iguana Malbura, the land art work over 13 meters long.

Continuing toward Lake Rioletta, the landscape opens up to wide glades and beech forests that lead to Pian di Balestra, a fascinating vantage point. Here you will find the opera St. George and the Dragon, which tells the medieval legend as a metaphor for courage and rebirth. Not far away stands the House of the Guards, a cozy shelter where you can stop before continuing along the trail.

The trail then crosses a section of the ancient Flaminia Militare, a Roman road dating back to 187 B.C., which bears witness to the thousand-year link between these mountains and history. We walk through beech forests and valleys until we meet the small villages of Valserena, Faldo, Borgo and Montefredente, where we admire the opera The Mouflons, inspired by the strength and adaptability of the Apennine fauna.

The last section follows the course of the Sambro stream, skirting ancient mills such as Frederick’s and Giovannino’s where the over 10-foot-tall work is installed, Owl Giovannino, until we reach San Benedetto Val di Sambro, a lively mountain town and an ideal conclusion to the day.

A STAGE that combines art, nature and memory, among bridges, forests and installations that tell the most authentic soul of the Bolognese Apennines.

STAGE 05: S. Benedetto Val di Sambro to Monzuno

Departure: Benedetto Val di Sambro
Arrival: Monzuno
Distance: 12.6 km
Height difference: +732 m / – 709 m

The fifth STAGE of the Bologna Montana Art Trail starts in the heart of San Benedetto Val di Sambro, among the alleys of the historic center and the mountains that frame it. The trail leaves the village behind and ascends along the hills, immersing itself in the green of the Apennines. After an initial uphill stretch, you reach the ridge of Monte Venere, one of the most striking viewpoints of the route, where the opera Columns of Memory., an installation that invites reflection on time and the link between past and landscape.

Continuing on, we pass through the small village of Le Croci, from which the path descends through woods and clearings toward Campaduno, where at the entrance to the quaint village, an ancient rural settlement that retains the authentic atmosphere of the Bolognese Apennines, the Mirror Neurons a work dense with values. The path continues between villages and stone houses, passing through Marizza where the pace becomes slower and nature accompanies each step with the sound of wind and water.

In the quiet of the Rio Maore meets The Harp, a work of Land Art that transforms the breeze and the landscape into a natural symphony, a perfect symbol of the harmony between art and the environment. We continue until we reach the locality of Giardino where the imposing Goddess, the work that carries with it a trail of a returning nature. The last stretch leads toward the center of Monzuno, nestled among hills and woods, where the day ends amid panoramic views and the typical hospitality of the Apennines.

A route that combines history, nature and creativity, where each STAGE is an open dialogue between man and mountain.

STAGE 06: Monzuno to Loiano

Departure: Monzuno
Arrival: Loiano
Distance: 22.4 km
Height difference: +1218 m / – 1097 m

The last stage of the Bologna Montana Art Trail starts from Piazza Salvo D’Acquisto in Monzuno, marking the beginning of the last leg of a journey that weaves together art, nature and memory. Leaving the historic center, the trail follows Via Casaglia, where it immediately meets Mother Nature, a work that celebrates the vital energy of the mountains and the deep connection between man and the environment.

The trail descends to the locality of Molinazzo, crosses the Savena River and ascends along a more challenging stretch to the delightful hamlet of Anconella, a small and cozy place, ideal for a rejuvenating break. From here, the trail continues along the ridge of Passo del Dado, along Via Panoramica, providing spectacular views of the Apennine mountains and leading to the opera Lupus Lujanes, inspired by the strength and mystery of the wolf.

It continues through picturesque villages and landscapes such as Casoni, Trebbo and Barbarolo, here you will find the majestic Rebel Snail, a work installed in a breathtaking scenic spot and where nature shows itself in all its beauty with the Cave of Memory and the Waterfall of Color, places of great charm and spirituality. Further on, among ancient chestnut groves, we encounter the installations Porcupine e The Spider Web, located on Mount Bastia at an altitude of 790 meters, a symbol of connection and resilience.

The walk ends in the center of Loiano, the starting and ending point of the Bologna Montana Art Trail loop trail.