4th ROUTE: Monte di Fò – San Piero a Sieve (23 km)

Technical description:
The fourth stage has several features. The first part develops inside the woods in the most impervious sector of the trail, With challenging and slippery climbs.

When you get to Mt. Gazzaro there is a very steep descent that is dangerous in wet terrain: you can alternatively ride the variant used by mountain bikes, which is a bit longer but smoother.
The first part of the trail then ends with a long descent on a dirt road to St. Agatha. From here begins the second part, which consists of a long stretch of gentle descents in the mostly paved Mugello hills, where you can enjoy beautiful views.

The departure from Monte di Fò immediately presents a challenging climb: you can choose to go through theApparita-a variant in the woods that we advise against in case of mud-or by road return to the Futa by resuming the classic Via degli Dei. The attached Gpx shows the Apparita variant and avoids the road. Your choice.

This stage involves an altitude difference uphill of 650 meters, which in absolute value would not be much, but many passages are technical and often muddy, so fatigue sets in. It is 23 kilometers, with impervious terrain, so the stage becomes more challenging although, having a day to spare, anyone can ride it.

Length: 22 km
Height difference in ascent: 650 m
Downhill elevation gain: 1190 m
Highest point: 1115 m
Lowest point: 201 m
Type of surface: mixed

Technical tips:
Depending on the time of year, you may encounter a lot of mud along the way, there are some quite steep uphill passages, so it is best to tackle them slowly, especially if you are not very trained. In hot weather it is necessary to bring a good supply of water, because there are several areas in the middle of the forest without access to water.

Municipality of departure: Barberino del Muugello
Starting location: Mount of Fo’
Municipality of arrival: Scarperia
Arrival Location: San Piero a Sieve

Recommended period:
For temperatures, May and June. In case of bad weather, however (even prior to departure), one may encounter many stretches in the mud

Useful links:
http://www.viadeglidei.it

The Via degli Dei is a very fascinating route, retracing long stretches of the ancient Roman Via Flaminia Militare, connecting the cities of Bologna and Florence along the Apennines.

It has become one of the main tourist attractions of theTuscan-Emilian Apennines: numerous trekking and mountain biking enthusiasts retrace this piece of history while fully enjoying the unspoiled beauty of these places. The name of the trail is most likely derived from some of the localities encountered along the way, such as Monte Adone, Monzuno (Mons Iovis, Mount of Jupiter), Mount Venus, and Mount Luario (Lua was the Roman goddess of atonement).

There are many possible variants: this is the one that through a multi-day trek travels the Way in its standard route, tested by our editorial staff.

In general, the entire itinerary is challenging. Even the version proposed here, which divides it into 5 stages (as per the official route), is recommended for those who already have good training and physical fitness.

It does not have overly technical passages and never becomes ironclad; there are steep sections both downhill and uphill (sometimes slippery, especially in rainy periods), however, it is still passable by everyone, even families, as long as you are already accustomed to challenging trails.