Bologna Montana Art Trail

STAGE 01: Loiano – Quinzano

Length: 10.5 km
Elevation gain: +419 m / -645 m
Walking time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy

The STAGE begins in Loiano, from Piazza Dall’Olio, and winds through spectacular views and charming villages. Crossing a pine forest, you reach Vezzano with its charming little church. Continuing along dirt roads through fields and woods, we arrive at Ca “de” Ricci, where shortly after is the Land Art work Symbiosis.

After a scenic descent and a crossing over the Zena stream, the trail climbs to Monte delle Formiche, famous for the natural phenomenon of winged ants that perform their nuptial flight here in September. Continuing on, you enter the Mount Bibele Archaeological Park, where you will find the second land art work, the Celtic Boar., a symbol of strength and royalty for ancient Celtic peoples.

Monte Bibele is a site of great historical and archaeological interest: inhabited by Etruscans and Celts between the 5th and 2nd centuries B.C., the park houses the remains of an ancient village, a necropolis with 170 tombs, and an important votive deposit. A stop here allows you to immerse yourself in history and discover the treasures of a 20-year archaeological campaign. Continuing in the direction of Quinzano, where the first STAGE ends, we find the opera Sound rain

STAGE 03: Monghidoro – Castel dell’Alpi

Length: 19 km
Elevation gain: +907 m / -1,045 m
Walking time: 6 hours
Difficulty: Challenging

Leaving from the center of Monghidoro, the trail follows CAI path 907, passing by the Castelletti Park and reaching the hamlet of Pian dei Grilli. It then continues in the direction of Piamaggio among breathtaking views.

We ascend through meadows and beech forests, passing by the Triton Park Adventure Park and the Fantorno Shelter, where the work is installed Triton.

Moving on, we arrive at the Croce dell’Alpe di Monghidoro, at more than 1,200 meters, the most impressive vantage point of the walk, with a view that extends to the Alps.

Descending along CAI trails 917, 909 and 905, we pass enchanting places such as Mulino Mazzone and the hamlet of Ca’ del Gappa, to the hamlet of Mulino Mandrullo.

We skirt the Savena River where we encounter the work The Door of the Shrouds, finally ascending we arrive at the lake of Castel dell’Alpi. Skirting the lake and passing under the bridge, the STAGE ends and we can admire the work Sword in the Stone.

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

Length: 18.5 km
Elevation gain: +764 m / -854 m
Walking time: 6 hours
Difficulty: Medium

The STAGE departs from Castel dell’Alpi and travels south, crossing the Bailey Bridge and ascending to the hamlet of Malbura along CAI Trail 929.

Continue to Lake Rioletta and, after a short stretch of paved road, reach Pian di Balestra.

Here you will find the House of the Guards, a shelter with B&B service, and the land art work St. George and the Dragon. After a short detour to the picnic spot with fountain, the route crosses the Flaminia Militare, an ancient Roman road dating from 187 B.C., and continues through beautiful beech forests and enchanting views.

We pass through Valserena, Faldo, Borgo and before Montefredente we encounter the opera The Mouflons. Following the CAI trails to SP 61, continue to Molino di Federico and Molino di Giovannino. Here you cross the bridge over the Sambro stream and reach Borgo Musolesi until you reach the center of S. Benedetto Val di Sambro, where the STAGE ends.

STAGE 05: S. Benedetto Val di Sambro – Monzuno

Length: 12.6 km
Elevation gain: +732 m / -709 m
Walking time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Medium

The STAGE starts from the square of S. Benedetto Val di Sambro and continues along SP 60 for 200 meters, then takes via dell’Armarolo on CAI trail 059. After a challenging 1 km climb, the ridge of Monte Venere is reached, where the land art work can be admired Columns of Memory. Continuing for 200 meters, we arrive at the hamlet Le Croci, from which we descend along the CAI 925 trail where we encounter the beautiful Borgo Campaduno continuing always on CAI trail no. 921 you meet the settlements of Marizza and Garden. Continuing on, we arrive at Rio Maore where the work is installed. The Harp. When you cross SP 79, keep right and after 500 meters you will reach the center of Monzuno.

STAGE 06: Monzuno – Loiano

Length: 22.4 km
Elevation gain: +1,218 m / -1,097 m
Walking time: 6 hours
Difficulty: Challenging

The last STAGE of Bologna Montana Art Trail starts from the Salvo D’Acquisto square in Monzuno. Following via Casaglia we encounter the work Mother Nature continue along CAI path 019 and arrive at Molinazzo, where you cross the Savena River and then take CAI path 915.

You face a challenging climb to the hamlet of Anconella, which offers a trattoria for a break.

Continuing along the ridge of Dado Pass and along Via Panoramica, we reach the land art work Lupus Lujanes. After passing picturesque villages such as Casoni, Trebbo, and Barbarolo, the route gives views of the Ant Mountain and continuing we find the Memory Cave and the picturesque Waterfall of Color

Passing through centuries-old chestnut groves we arrive where the work is installed Porcupine and on Mount Bastia (942 m) the opera the Web of the Spider.

It continues to the center of Loiano, where the walk ends.

Loiano offers accommodations, restaurants and all useful services, as well as the Viva il Verde association office for information and to pick up your Art Trail walker certificate.