Bologna Montana Art Trail – An itinerary through art and nature

The Bologna Montana Art Trail begins in the heart of the Bolognese Apennines, in Loiano, a village nestled among woodland and vistas that immediately establish a dialogue between nature and contemporary art. From Piazza Dall'Olio, the route's starting point, hikers venture into a landscape that alternates between fragrant pine forests, dirt paths, and small villages.

After crossing the pine forest, the path leads to Vezzano and its ancient church, which exudes a simple, history-steeped atmosphere. Continuing along the country lanes, you reach the vicinity of Ca' de' Ricci, where nature becomes the backdrop for Simbiosis, the route's first Land Art work. Here, art intertwines with the landscape, evoking the profound balance between humans and their surroundings.

The path continues downhill to the Zena stream, which you cross before climbing back up to one of the most fascinating places in the Apennines: Monte delle Formiche. This hill is famous for a unique natural phenomenon: the nuptial flight of winged ants, which attracts visitors and curious onlookers every September. This section of the trail invites you to observe, listen, and be amazed by the vitality of the area.

A little further on, you enter the Monte Bibele Archaeological Park, an area of extraordinary historical interest, nestled among rolling hills and ancient ruins. Here, among the remains of an Etruscan-Celtic settlement and a necropolis with over a hundred tombs, you will find the second work of art on the Trail: the Celtic Boar, a tribute to strength and the ancestral bond with the land, symbolising the cultural roots of these mountains.

The last part of the stage winds through rolling hills, bright woods, and stretches of trail that invite you to slow down. This brings us to Quinzano, a small village where art and nature come together once again, thanks to Pioggia Sonora, an installation that transforms wind and rain into a musical landscape. It is a poetic conclusion, ending the day on a note of wonder and harmony.

The route thus becomes an experience that combines history, creativity, and the environment, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the Bolognese Apennines through a journey that is both physical and emotional.

The second stage sets off in Quinzano, where, on the hill next to the Civic Centre, you immediately encounter Libera-Mente (Open Your Mind) – a half-female figure with a long braid that seems to invite the traveller to let go of their thoughts and embrace the journey. From here, the route plunges into a charming rural landscape of cultivated fields, silent woodland, and quaint villages that have retained their character.
The ascent takes you to places such as Le Vigne, Il Poggiolo and Impugnola, which offer splendid views of the Idice valley and the slopes of La Martina Park, a natural area rich in biodiversity and geological features.

Continuing along the route, you reach La Cartiera dei Benandanti, an agritourismo surrounded by nature that hosts Love Bee Valley, an installation dedicated to the fundamental role of bees and their relationship with humans and the environment. This place invites you to take a break, an ideal spot to recharge your batteries before crossing the Idice River and entering the heart of La Martina Park. Here, the landscape becomes wilder, with gullies, downy oak woods, and rare ophiolite formations that narrate the ancient history of these mountains.

Hiking through paths and clearings, you reach Camping La Martina, where you will find Baofe's – Il Soffione, a work of Land Art that recalls the lightness of seeds drifting on the wind. The route then continues through small lakes and villages such as Bovolo, Frassineta, and Pallerano, the latter featuring one of the Trail’s most recent installations: a monumental faun, a mythological figure that appears to emerge from the forest to welcome passers-by.

The final part of the stage tackles the ascent to Monghidoro, a lively mountain town and a natural crossroads between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. The Parco del Castellaccio offers breathtaking views of the Apennine mountains and the nearby installation L'Aquila, which celebrates the power of flight and the freedom of the gaze that loses itself beyond the peaks.

Set amid art, nature, and ever-changing landscapes, this stage of the Bologna Montana Art Trail offers an immersive and dynamic experience, revealing the authentic soul of the Bologna Apennines through a journey that combines creativity and wild beauty.

The third leg of the Bologna Montana Art Trail starts from the heart of Monghidoro, an ancient village in the Bologna Apennines, and winds through forests, ridges and scenic views that stretch as far as the eye can see. The first steps lead past the Parco dei Castelletti and the hamlet of Pian dei Grilli, where the tranquillity of nature accompanies the slow hiking pace.

The route proceeds through meadows and centuries-old beech forests, passing near the Triton Park Adventure Park and the Rifugio Fantorno, which houses the work Tritone, a reference to the element of water and the hidden life of the mountain forests. Continuing the climb, you reach the Croce dell'Alpe di Monghidoro at the trail's highest elevation of 1,230 metres. From here, the view opens onto the valleys below and, on clear days, you can see as far as the Alps.

The descent offers enchanting views and passes through places with ancient charm, such as the Mulino Mazzone, where the artwork "Famiglia Cervi" is installed, Ca' del Gappa, and the picturesque Mulino Mandrullo, where the sound of water tells of a rural past. Following the River Savena, you reach La Porta delle Sindoni, a work that symbolises the transition between nature and imagination.

The last stretch leads to Lake Castel dell'Alpi, the only natural lake in the Bolognese Apennines, in the small municipality of San Benedetto Val di Sambro. Here, amidst crystal-clear waters and silent forests, we find art installations that interact with the environment, such as The Sword in the Stone, a symbol of strength and legend.

Immersed in mountains, art, and spectacular views, a trail section that combines nature, creativity, and memory comes to an end, offering an authentic experience in the heart of the Bologna Apennines.

The fourth leg of the Bologna Montana Art Trail starts from the charming village of Castel dell'Alpi, nestled in the woods, and heads south across the bridge that connects the lake to the Apennine trails. The trail climbs through fir forests and rural hamlets to Malburo. There, as the mountain captures your gaze towards the surrounding ridges, you are struck by the imposing Iguana Malbura, a land artwork over 13 metres long.

Continuing towards Lake Rioletta, the landscape opens onto wide clearings and beech forests that lead to Pian di Balestra, a strategic point offering a view of extraordinary charm. Here you will find new Land Art installations and the work San Giorgio e il Drago, which interprets the medieval legend as a metaphor for courage and rebirth. Not far away is the Casa delle Guardie, a cosy trail shelter where you can stop before continuing along the route.

The trail then crosses a stretch of the ancient Flaminia Militare, a Roman road dating back to 187 BC, a witness to the ancient link between these mountains and the area's historic roots. Continuing your hike through beech woods and valleys, you reach areas such as Valserena, Faldo, Borgo, and Montefredente, where you can admire the work I Mufloni (The Mouflons), inspired by the strength and adaptability of the Apennine fauna.

The last stretch follows the course of the Sambro stream, passing ancient mills such as Federico and Giovannino, where the over 3-metre-high artwork Gufo Giovannino (Giovannino Owl) is installed. Finally, you reach San Benedetto Val di Sambro, a lively mountain centre and ideal end to the day.

A leg that combines art, nature, and memory, with bridges, woodland, and installations that reveal the most authentic soul of the Bologna Apennines.

The fifth stage of the Bologna Montana Art Trail starts from the heart of San Benedetto Val di Sambro, among the alleyways of the historic centre. The path leaves the village behind and climbs up into the hills, immersing itself in the greenery of the Apennines. After the initial uphill stretch, you reach the ridge of Monte Venere, a scenic spot along the route. Here, the Colonne della Memoria (The Memory Pillars) reflect on the passage of time and the bond between the past and the landscape.

Continuing, you pass through Le Croci, then descend through woods and clearings towards Campaduno. At the entrance to this village, an ancient rural settlement preserving the atmosphere of the Bologna Apennines, you find Neuroni Specchio(Mirror Neurons), a work dense in meaning. The trail continues through villages and stone houses, passing through Marizza, where the pace slows down, and nature accompanies every step with the sound of wind and water.

In the stillness of the Rio Maore, you come across L'Arpa, a work of Land Art that transforms the breeze and the landscape into a natural symphony, a perfect symbol of the harmony between art and environment. Continue until you reach the locality of Giardino, where the imposing "Dea" (Goddess) emerges from the undergrowth, a work that conveys a sense of nature's reawakening. The last stretch leads to the centre of Monzuno, nestled among hills and woods, where the day ends with panoramic views and the typical Apennine welcome.

A route that combines history, nature and creativity, where each stage is an open dialogue between humankind and the mountains.

The last stage of the Bologna Montana Art Trail starts from Piazza Salvo D'Acquisto in Monzuno, marking the beginning of the final stretch of a journey that weaves a bond between art, nature, and memory. Leaving the historic centre, the route follows the Via Casaglia, where you immediately encounter "Madre Natura" (Mother Nature), a work that celebrates the vital energy of the mountains and the deep connection between humans and the environment.

The route descends towards Molinazzo, crosses the Savena River and climbs back up a more challenging stretch to the delightful village of Anconella, small and inviting, ideal for an invigorating break. From here, the trail continues along the Passo del Dado ridge, along the Via Panoramica, offering spectacular views of the Apennine mountains and leading to the Lupus Lujanes artwork, inspired by the strength and mystery of the wolf.

The trail continues through picturesque villages and landscapes such as Casoni, Trebbo, and Barbarolo, where you will find the majestic Lumaca Ribelle, a work installed in a breathtaking panoramic location where nature shows itself in all its beauty with the Grotta della Memoria and the Cascata delle Colore, sites of great charm and spirituality. Further on, amid ancient chestnut groves, you will encounter the installations Istrice (Porcupine) and La Tela del Ragno (The Spider's Web), located on Monte Bastia at an altitude of 790 metres, symbols of connectedness and resilience.

The trail ends in the centre of Loiano, the starting and finishing point of the Bologna Montana Art Trail loop.