Bologna - Madonna dei Fornelli

Length: 56.40 km 

Time: 6 h  

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From Bologna railway station , take Via Indipendenza and arrive in Piazza Maggiore, the real starting point (or arrival) of the Via degli Dei. Then continue towards via Saragozza to walk along the longest portico in the world: the one that leads to the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of San Luca.

Once you have passed the 666 arcades, you have to go down towards the river Reno, taking the Via de 'Brègoli on the right, which leads to Parco Talon di Casalecchio, from where, following the Reno on its right bank, you can reach Sasso Marconi. After crossing the protected area of the San Gherardo Oasis, crossing the Vizzano bridge is worth a short detour.

Continuing, for mountain biking it is recommended, once you arrive in Via Ganzole, to make a change from the trekking route and follow the signs for the Fantini vine (a centenary plant discovered in 1961), then continuing along Via delle Orchidee. Between Badolo and Brento, after the Antica Hostaria di Badolo, with a deviation of 50 m you can see the Columbarium of Monte del Frate. Once you have reached Monte Adone, the culmination of the Pliocene Buttress, you can leave the mountain bike and reach the top enjoying a splendid panorama. Then head towards Brento and arrive in the territory of Monzuno following a long stretch of paved road towards Madonna dei Fornelli. After the junction for Loiano, at the sports field, turn right onto a large uphill track. After about 20 minutes you reach the locality "Campagne" where the route is signposted and continue until you reach Monte Galletto, passing under the imposing wind turbines, and then in the main and unique square of Madonna dei Fornelli.  

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