📍 Italy

BOLOGNA NATURE: LAKES, MOUNTAINS AND HIDDEN VILLAGES

Medieval towers punctuating the horizon, mountain terraces in ochre tones, lakes reflecting granite peaks. Bologna's natural soul.

≈ 10
Days
238
Km
10
Stops
📖 6 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Wander beneath Bologna's porticos and let kitchen aromas guide your steps, then reach Brisighella and its ochre hills. Follow Grizzana Morandi's artistic trace, breathe the air of Laghi Suviana Brasimone and reach Corno alle Scale for open panoramas. Emilia blends generous tables with wide-open spaces.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Bologna

medieval portico city culinary heart

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9 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Parco di Villa Ghigi - 28 hectares on the first hills of Bologna with a mosaic of natural habitats
2
Villa Ghigi - former country residence at the heart of an urban biodiversity area
🎯

Activities

→
Themed hike among flowering meadows with primroses, violets and wild orchids
→
Discovery of ancient orchards with pear trees, almond trees and fig trees inherited from the rural past
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Panoramic viewpoint over the Contrafforte Pliocenico from the park heights
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 22 km
Travel time: 26min
2
Day

San Marino Di Bentivoglio

rural estate near bologna

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6 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Parco di Villa Smeraldi - 18th century manor house in an English-style romantic park
2
Museo della Civiltà Contadina - museum tracing rural life between the late 19th and 20th centuries
🎯

Activities

→
Visit to the museum's temporary exhibitions in the rooms of the former residence
→
Walk in the landscaped park with century-old trees and romantic atmosphere
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Consultation of the photographic archive and specialized library
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 5 km
Travel time: 6min
3
Day

Bentivoglio

fortress village bentivoglio territory

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10 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Area Naturalistica La Bora - protected wetland with breeding center for marsh turtles
🎯

Activities

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Ornithological observation of numerous bird species according to seasons
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Discovery of the Amphibian Center with frogs, newts and dragonflies in the ponds
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Observation of butterflies, grasshoppers and praying mantises in the meadows
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 29 km
Travel time: 35min
4
Day

Medicina

plain town medieval gateway

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6 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Oasi del Quadrone - 270-hectare wildlife protection oasis created in 1985
🎯

Activities

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Marked trail from the Visitors Center through different natural environments
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Birdwatching in the wetland sheltering numerous animal and plant species
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Discovery of cereal crops, sunflowers and alfalfa surrounding the protected area
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 39 km
Travel time: 47min
5
Day

Brisighella

ochre clay village hilltop

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6 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Parco della Vena del Gesso Romagnola - 25 km karst massif between Imola and Faenza, longest gypsum outcrop in Italy
2
Selenite formation - variety of deposit with characteristic translucent scales
🎯

Activities

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Hiking or mountain biking on trails crossing the three valleys of Sillaro, Senio and Lamone
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Exploration of deep caves and mysterious tunnels of speleological interest
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Free borrowing of walking sticks at the Ca' Carnè Visitor Center in Brisighella
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 29 km
Travel time: 35min
6
Day

Castel Del Rio

mountain fortress border stronghold

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4 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Castagneti di Castel del Rio - century-old chestnut groves producing IGP chestnuts since the Middle Ages
2
Palazzo Alidosi - historic palace housing the Museo della Civiltà del Castagno and the Gothic Line Museum
3
Ponte Alidosi - medieval humpback bridge spanning the Santerno river
🎯

Activities

→
Walk in the chestnut woods historically nicknamed the bread tree
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Visit to the museum dedicated to chestnut civilization and its food importance
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Discovery of the heritage of the Alidosi family who dominated the borough
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 63 km
Travel time: 1h15
7
Day

Grizzana Morandi

artist village mountain terraced

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8 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Rocchetta Mattei - eclectic château built by Count Cesare Mattei on the ruins of a fortress of Matilda of Canossa
2
Hybrid architecture blending Gothic-medieval and Moorish styles in a maze of decorated rooms
🎯

Activities

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Ascent by the stone staircase guarded by a hippogriff and a winged demon symbolizing evil
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Exploration of the labyrinth of rooms with fascinating and timeless decorations
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Discovery of the history of the erudite Count who personally directed the construction with his artisans
8
Day

Laghi Suviana Brasimone

reservoir alpine mountain landscape

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6 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Lake Suviana - one of the largest artificial lakes in the region surrounded by beech trees and conifers
2
Lake Brasimone - artificial lake created at the beginning of the 20th century for hydroelectric production
🎯

Activities

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Water sports on the lakes: boating, windsurfing and organized swimming
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Hiking on forest trails to discover deer, roe deer and wild boar
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Picnic in the rest areas set up by the lakeshores
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 22 km
Travel time: 26min
9
Day

Lizzano In Belvedere

alpine belvedere mountain viewpoint

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6 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Sanctuary of the Madonna del Faggio - sanctuary nestled in the dense forests of the Bolognese Apennines
2
Castello Manservisi - neo-Gothic castle housing restored works by painter Giacomo Lolli
🎯

Activities

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Demanding but moving trekking through the woods to the sanctuary
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Visit to the borgo of Castelluccio - small medieval gem nestled in the mountains
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Discovery of the terracotta image of the Virgin who appeared according to legend under a large beech tree
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 7 km
Travel time: 9min
10
Day

Corno Alle Scale

mountain peak glacial legacy

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5 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Parco del Corno alle Scale - highest peak of the Bolognese Apennines reaching nearly 2000 meters
2
Cascate del Dardagna - spectacular waterfalls with 7 drops along the winding torrent in the beech forest
🎯

Activities

→
Hike to the summit marked by sandstone strata forming natural steps
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Walk along the Dardagna torrent to the rushing waterfalls
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Observation of the remarkable flora and fauna of the geological and mineralogical zones
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 22 km
Travel time: 27min

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🛡️ Travel advice - Italy

Check official recommendations

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming landscapes, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, excellent value, Easter celebrations, ideal touring conditions.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, vibrant atmosphere, beach season, festival time.

Fall (September-October): Excellent weather, harvest season, wine tourism, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, beautiful colors, culinary focus.

Winter (November-March): Mild southern weather, Christmas markets, lowest prices, minimal crowds, cultural focus, cozy atmosphere, indoor attractions.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 8 and 12 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Italy?

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