Following the original path of Via degli Dei the distance between the two cities is around 84 miles, which can be done in 4 to 6 days depending on your fitness level. Even though it doesn’t sound like much the elevation gain and the elevation loss are very significant and you shouldn’t underestimate it! On top of that, if you decide to hike the trail during the summer, remember water sources might be scarce and the temperatures can be around 95°F.

DAY 1: Reach Piazza Maggiore in Bologna and collect your Credential before departing – you can get stamps on it to prove you completed the hike (similar to what they do on the Camino de Santiago in Spain) and it will also be a unique memory from the trip! From here your first stop will be the Sanctuary of Saint Luke, before heading out of Bologna into the Apennines. You should stop between the towns of Badolo/Brento: my suggestion is “B&B sulla Via degli Dei”, where there are both private rooms and shared dorms, breakfast is included and for 15 € you can have group dinner. It is right under Monte Adone, the first stop of day 2!

DAY 2: The second step of the hike is a mixture of nature and small cities in the Apennines (unfortunately you will have to walk on asphalt for a bit). Your midday stop will probably be in the town of Monzuno, where you can get a delicious to-go-lunch for super cheap. Before reaching the final destination of the day, you will also be able to admire the ruins of the park “Le Croci” from which the views are stunning. Stop in Madonna dei Fornelli, where amongst the different choices I suggest “B&B Romani“: save money sleeping in the dorm and take part in a traditional group dinner for 20 €!

DAY 3: Personally this was my favorite day, despite the elevation difficulties. You are completely immersed in the Apennines atmosphere as you basically spend the whole day walking in a forest. Let’s not forget about the historical landmarks you get to see: on one hand you can walk the ancient Roman road “Flaminia Militare“, with its original cobblestones, and on the other you will walk by the Germanic Military Cimitery, housing 30’000 souls fallen during WWII. To end the day you have two main options: stopping at “Camping la futa” and leaving Monte di Fo for day 4, or going up the mountain and staying at “Camping Il Sergente” so you can start the morning with a nice descent. I chose the second option: for 18 € I got a private bungalow with my friends, access to the swimming pool and to the laundry area. There are both a bar and a restaurant in the camping, so I also got to meet a lot of hikers and share an amazing dinner with them.

DAY 4: On the second-to-last day you start in the Apennines to end by the hills that surround Florence, which seems so close when it actually isn’t. If it’s hot, you will start noticing the lack of water sources in Tuscany compared to Emilia Romagna. Even though it’s sad to leave beautiful naturalistic landscapes behind, it is nice to feel closer to civilisation again! San Piero a Sieve offers many options to sleep at: I actually stopped before (huge mistake) so I don’t have any personal references in San Piero a Sieve, but I’ll leave a suggestion at the bottom!

DAY 5: Hiking doesn’t get any easier, if anything it gets harder… Even though you are supposed to leave the hills to enter Florence, basically only going downhill, the original path of Via degli Dei touches some specific locations such as Convento di Montesenario, Vetta Le Croci and Poggio Pratone, which make the trail go up and down continuously. Finally you get to the beautiful city of Fiesole from which you can get unique views over Florence… Honestly the best ones I have ever seen. Fiesole is also rich with history, so if you want to hike with less stress it’s a great extra stop that simply adds a day to the itinerary.

DAY 6: After resting thanks to a shorter section, the last day is going to feel like a breeze and you won’t reach Florence not being able to stand on your feet (TRUST ME). Florence is a big city, so even when you are finally there you really aren’t. The hike ends in Piazza della Signoria: entering Palazzo Vecchio you will see the shop where you can collect your “prize” and get the official certification for completing Via Degli Dei. Congrats!

Final tips for perfect planning!

1. Bring a lot of water – like I have already said, it can get super hot in the summer, despite the altitudes and the water sources are scarce! Don’t underestimate the need to stay hydrated during the hike.

2. Plan your trip ahead of time – unless you are camping, finding a place for the night can be hard. In some locations there are 2 or 3 places to stop at and the increasing popularity of the hike has made booking necessary.

3. Don’t hike in mountain boots – since part of the hike is in the cities/towns and you will be walking on asphalt I suggest using a low-ankle shoe rather than hiking boots. I used Northface shoes but there are many brands out there. This is a suggestion specifically for people that don’t hike very often: if you are used to hiking boots and have experience with them then you can make your own considerations.

4. Don’t overpack – I personally chose not to camp because I didn’t have much experience with it and I didn’t want to carry the extra weight of a tent. The better option if you aren’t camping, it’s to stay at B&Bs or hostels (such as on the Camino de Santiago): they are pretty cheap, they usually include breakfast, an option for dinner (because in the middle of nowhere there aren’t restaurants) and they can prepare sandwiches for your lunch. On top of that they are a great way to meet new people!

MAP & Tracking
Directions on the hike are pretty good: you will find red and white signs that indicate trails in Emilia Romagna (each region has different colors) and the name “Via Degli Dei” or “VDD”. I also used the official app of the hike “Walk+” and it was of great help to not get lost and at least know the direction I had to follow. You can also get a paper-based map at the shops eXtraBO in Piazza Maggiore (Bologna) or in Palazzo Vecchio (Florence), or on the online store!
Find below the links to the official website of the hike and to download the app Walk+.