A path that connects two historic cities like Bologna and Florence, crossing forests, ridges and villages suspended in time. It is the Way of the Gods, perhaps the most poetic of Italian trekking.
A journey into the heart of the Apennines
The Via degli Dei stretches for about 130 kilometers, following the reliefs of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, ideally joining Piazza Maggiore in Bologna and Piazza della Signoria in Florence. It is crossed every year by thousands of hikers, attracted by the beauties of the place.
This itinerary is not a coincidence: it partly follows the ancient Flaminia Militare, a Roman artery built in the 2nd century B.C. to connect Felsina with Rome, whose remains are still visible along the route. The name “Via degli Dei” was born in modern times but evokes archaic suggestions: Monte Adone, Monzuno (from Mons Jovis), Monte Venere are just some of the reliefs that evoke ancient gods and myths.
Stages and reception: the journey as a territorial economy
The route is usually taken in 5-7 days, touching locations such as Monzuno, Madonna dei Fornelli, Passo della Futa, San Piero a Sieve and Bivigliano, until the descent towards Florence. But more than the physical track, it affects the human ecosystem that the path generates: shelters, farmhouses, hostels, small local shops. The Way of the Gods is also an example of economic revival for smaller territories, which thanks to the constant flow of travelers have been able to convert into widespread hospitality and micro-entrepreneurship.
Between spirituality and personal regeneration
Although not a religious path in the strict sense, the Way of the Gods is charged with symbolic and inner value. Away from noise and digital connection, the path returns to the natural rhythm of life, putting the person at the center for a physical and mental regeneration.
A recognised sustainability model
Since 2023, the Via degli Dei is the first walking experience in Italy to obtain the international GSTC certification, a guarantee of environmental, social and cultural sustainability. It is an important recognition for a path that combines landscape protection, historical valorization and respect for the communities crossed.
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