Via degli Dei

Starting from Piazza Maggiore, we head to Via D’Azeglio, then take Via Farini, Via Collegio di Spagna and Via Saragoza in succession, where there are the last stores and groceries to buy something before the stage begins. We then arrive at the Meloncello arch, from which begins the very long uphill arcade leading up to the Sanctuary of San Luca. Once at the Sanctuary, continue for about 500 meters on a paved road and take the CAI 112A trail on the right to Talon Park. Shortly after the trail begins, it forks: both directions are fine, however, the right-hand path is shorter, but also steeper downhill, so care must be taken. Upon exiting the trail, we then continue following the course of the Reno River and the Via degli Dei and CAI 112 trail signs in the direction of Sasso Marconi. After a few kilometers you come to the San Gherardo Nature Oasis, where there is also a drinking fountain, and continuing further you come to a paved road, which you should follow until you reach the Sasso/Pontecchio junction, where you will need to head for Sasso. At this point, take Vizzano Street and the Via degli Dei continues, arriving at “Ganzole” and Prati di Mugnano. After passing the parking lot, take CAI trail 122 VD, make a sharp left turn and continue on Orchid Street, to be followed until the right turn onto the Badolo provincial road.

This stage of the Via degli Dei begins by entering the trail in the direction of Brento. Once you reach this location, you continue past the Monte Adone Exotic and Wild Fauna Protection and Research Center and then turn right along the road that leads steeply uphill to the summit of Monte Adone (following CAI Trail 110 Monte Adone). Once you reach the peak of the mountain, from which you can enjoy a truly splendid view of the surrounding valleys (in my opinion the best vantage point of the entire walk) you resume the trail descending toward Brento, where there are bars and services for resting or stopping to eat. At this point, one must continue the Via degli Dei along the well-marked path, reaching the village of Monzuno (there are bars and services here as well), from which one must continue on a paved road to Madonna dei Fornelli. One must then pass a fork in the road to Loiano and head toward the sports fields, then turn right onto an uphill path. After a few tens of minutes you reach “Campagne” and take CAI Path 19, crossing a gate and coming to the vicinity of a repeater. Now continue on a dirt road to the locality of “Le Croci,” and then climb Mount Galletto and finally arrive at Madonna dei Fornelli.

This stage begins by taking trail number 19, heading toward Pian di Balestra. Here there will be a crossroads to cross and then continue following the Via degli Dei – Futa and Strada Romana signs, passing a gate and finally being able to admire some sections of the ancient Flaminia Militare. Going further along the track will bring you to a wonderful open green space with a house on the right (“I Capannoni”). So continue further following the clearly visible signs along the trail, until you come to a fork where you have to go right, and then follow the road and take the resume of CAI path 19 that continues to the locality “Piana degli Ossi”. Once you pass Piana degli Ossi, continue walking toward “il Passeggere”, where, at a crossroads with wooden signs, you will have to turn left and continue the path to the next fork, where you must take the right instead. At this point you come to a pretty pond to walk along until the end of the fence. You then leave the woods and arrive at the top of the “Banditacce” and shortly after at the “Pogliaccio,” which is halfway along the entire path. Now continue downhill near the ancient Roman road until you reach the slopes of Poggio Castelluccio. Walking along the path and always following the signs, go to the right and continue following the signs for the Futa, until you reach a paved road, which you should follow until you reach the entrance to the Germanic Cemetery.

If you start from Monte di Fo’ continue on asphalt until you meet a blue and white bar on the right, which should be passed entering the woods and following the GEA signs, until you reach the locality “Apparita”. At this point you then reach a fork in the road and take CAI trail 00, in the direction of Mt. Gazzaro. It climbs up the hill to its summit, where there is the Cross of Mt. Gazzaro (recently fallen). Now you have to continue along the path, descending and heading toward the Osteria Bruciata Pass, from which you have to take CAI path 46 and descend toward an old abandoned house. From here you walk to a junction, where you must choose the right path (CAI path 46) toward Sant’Agata – San Piero a Sieve and continue to a paved road. At this point you can take the CAI 46 trail parallel to the State Road in the direction of Gabbiano. After a few kilometers the road becomes paved and you finally arrive in San Piero a Sieve.

This last stage is very challenging, and you should try to avoid riding it in excessively hot weather.

Start by following the signs to the Medici Fortress and taking the dirt road to the right that is at the top, following the CAI Bo-Fi signs. Still following the signs you come to a paved road, which you take briefly, then turn right, cross the road and turn almost immediately left onto a dirt road.

After a short while you will reach a fork in the road, where you will need to go left on an uphill path from which you can enjoy unique views.

Once Trebbio is reached, CAI 17 Bo-Fi signs should be followed, arriving as far as the highway going to Florence. Then go to Tagliaferro on the left and continue past a gate. Continue to follow the signs until you reach a junction between CAI 00 and CAI 00-60 trails; you must choose CAI 00 arriving at the “Camporomano” clearing and re-entering the forest.

At a certain point you take a paved road and head to the Convent of Monte Senario, where there is a refreshment stand and services. Leaving the Convent behind, follow the road that skirts it downhill along a tree-lined avenue and take a path to the left that descends through the woods to a paved road.

Shortly after, a dirt path begins again, leading to Olmo, surrounded by an expanse of fields. It crosses a road and then ascends toward Poggio Pratone and descends toward Monte Fanna. Now the road becomes mostly paved and

reaches the central square of Fiesole; From here you can take the scenic road downhill, take CAI path 7 and descend to the Maiano quarries, then climb to Settignano and descend back to Florence’s Piazza della Signoria.