If you are into hikes Bologna is a great city to start off. It has many paths, from hills to Apennines, depending on how much time you want to spend on it (this can go from one hour to weeks!).
Today we are happy to show you this easy walk just outside the city.
Parco dei Gessi
Duration: one hour
Difficulty: easy
Distance: 4 km
Loop: yes
The park is located between Farneto and Castel dei Britti. From Bologna you go east to San Lazzaro and then south towards Farneto passing through Pulce.
It’s easy to get there by car, motorbike or bicycle. You can reach it with public transport: buses stop in Farneto but I don’t know how frequently they pass and, as the walk is all uphill, you have to add 1 kilometer with 250 m in elevation if you start from Farneto.
The route is a short one: just 4 kilometres in a loop. Because of the variety of beautiful landscapes it feels longer: you’ll be surprised at the end noticing just one hour has passed since you started.
The path is never really flat but gentle up and down, that’s true for the first part at least, with the second becoming more of a walk on a gravel road in the forest. You never go through any serious climb. It’s just enough to make it an interesting hike with paths that go into the forest, followed by the presence of this unique rock that made the park’s name (Gessi).
There is a viewpoint after one kilometer where you can admire the valley below and the other hills, on the other side you can see the city in the distance. Bologna is really close, you know it’s there but never feel the heavy presence of city life.
This walk is for everybody really. If you want to go for a walk immersed in a beautiful forest without travelling too far from the city this is for you.
Anyone can attend this walk, but for people not used to climbing it’s better to come by car and park uphill.
The path is not always clear. You better have a phone with GPS with you.
