Ultra Trail Via degli Dei -  Trail Running

THE TRAIL OF GODS TODAY

 

This itinerary that unites the medieval Bologna to the Renaissance Florence walks us through ancient and historical roads used since Roman eras to connect the city of Felsina (Bologna) with Fiesole. Renamed "Flaminia military", it is typical for the ancient paving stones of Roman origins that we find in different parts of the path.

There is no shortage of beautiful environmental features that go from Pliocene Buttresses to large beeches in the highest part of the route, up to the sweet hills of the Mugello lowland.

Rich in history also the sites transited just as diversities in territories with changing environments and remarkable environmental biodiversity.

The way of gods takes its name from the toponyms encountered along the journey: Monte Adone, Monzuno (Mons Junonis) Monte Venere, Monte Luario (Goddess Lua)...

Florence seen from above of Fiesole will give you a unique emotion.

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Stretch Bologna - Sasso Marconi

After 500 meters from the start, we are in Piazza Maggiore Square, the heart of the city, one of the most beautiful squares in the world. In a short time you will walk along almost 4km of the Portico of San Luca with its 666 arches.Built in 1674, connects the town to San Luca from where you can enjoy amazing panoramic views.

Once descended to the Talon Park , worthy of note is the Chiusa of Casalecchio. Built over 800 years ago manages the flow of Rhine waters to the city of Bologna. Sasso Marconi is the hometown of Guglielmo Marconi who is known throughout the world.

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Stretch Sasso Marconi - Monzuno

Pliocene butresse is perhaps the most important element of this stage.A bulwark of rock which has been raised by a shallow sea during the Pliocene (2-4 million years ago).It is easy in fact to meet fossils and shells along the trail. Some sections will pass right on the sand.

A dominant element is the top of Mount Adone, with its characteristic stone towers (the highest point in the reserve of Pliocene buttresses). Another particular element from a naturalistic point of view, is that on Mount Adone, in addition to the typical apennine plants, we find many holm oak plants , a characteristic of mediterranean maquis.

Strech Monzuno - Madonna dei Fornelli

Chestnut woods and wide open spaces characterise this stage. The path runs mostly along the ridge between the Savena and the Setta rivers with wide panoramic glimpses. Worthy of note is Borgo delle Croci where once stood an ancient hospital and the wind- park of Monte Galletto, made in the distant 1996 and one of the most further north in Italy.

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Stretch Madonna dei Fornelli - Monte di Fo (Passo della Futa)

Madonna dei Fornelli is a small village in the Bolognese Apennine. It probably owes its name “fornelli “ meaning “stoves”, due to the presence of several coalmen that operated in the territory. In this stretch of the path we come across the first Roman pavements of this road that went from Bologna to Arezzo "the Military Flamiania".

Soon after Pian di Balestra , we are already in Tuscany. Here the landscape is very various going along the ridge up to Passo della Futa where on the exit of the path we find ourselves in front of the majestic german Cemetery of the Futa where over 34,000 fallen lie. A symbol of the Second World War tragedy and of the Gothic Line that precisely on these mountains stopped for two years with a high number of victims.

Stretch Monte di Fo (Passo della Futa) – San Piero a Sieve

The highest summit of this itinerary is Monte Gazzaro with its white cross from where you can enjoy a beautiful landscape in the basin of Firenzuola and Mugello.

Shortly afterwards you arrive at to Passo dell’Osteria Bruciata, it no longer exists, while in the past it was an important stopover point for pilgrims. Several grusome legends are told about this place. Through a broad downhill path we reach Sant'Agata, a typical tuscan village. Here, we are in the heart of Mugello, just a few kilometers from the Bilancino Lake.

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Stretch San Piero a Sieve - Bivigliano - Olmo

Leaving behind San Piero a Sieve we climb towards Castello del Trebbio, a Medici residence now privately owned. The castle dominates the lowland of Mugello and the Lake of Bilancino. The path continues in the midst of large olive groves until Tagliaferro and then up to the Badia di Bonsollazzo, a huge construction now completly abandoned.

Shortly after you will reach the Monastery of Monte Senario. In 1241 the mighty Ubaldini family donated to the Bishop of Florence a part of the mountain where the 7 Holy Founders Friar servants of Mary built the convent.

From here on, in clear days we can already glimpse Florence with its characteristic Cupola del Brunelleschi and the bell tower of Giotto.

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Stretch Olmo - Fiesole (Firenze)

Now Fiesole is nearby and the feeling is great when from faraway we see our destination.

We move through Vetta le Croci a place where story goes that 200,000 Barbarians han been killed and buried in a common grave during the battle of Montereggi in 405 A.C..

Last ascent to Pratone from where we descend towards Fiesole, a terrace on the city of Florence.

The etruscan town preserves a large archaeological area with the Roman Theater, the Cathedral of San Romolo and the Convent of San Francesco where the acropolis rises.

Amazing glimpses over Florence which has no need of presentations.

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Fiesole's Roman Theater is the location that will host the arrival of our race.