Three trekking routes in the Santerno Valley to walk in nature.

Three proposals for trekking routes for those who love walking in nature and discovering new landscapes. 

To visit and learn about the Santerno Valley, Imola is the ideal base. 

Continuing towards Tuscany, the urban landscape gives way to nature along the banks of the river up to the Vena del Gesso Romagnola Regional Park. 

Along the Via Montanara, which from Imola climbs towards the Apennines to go up to Tuscany, the Santerno Valley is an ancient land that preserves the traditions of the past and an enchanting and still wild nature.

1. Three trekking routes in the Santerno Valley.
   1. Luca Ghini path.
   2. The Vein of the Gypsum of Romagna.
   3. Sant'Andrea ring.

Three trekking routes in the Santerno Valley.

To enjoy a breathtaking view of the Riva di San Biagio, one of the most famous chalky formations in the park, climb up to Tossignano on the remains of the fortress that dominated the valley. 

From here there are also many paths that lead into a wild and fascinating nature.

Luca Ghini path.

The Luca Ghini Path is a trekking route of about 7km that offers beautiful views from the crests of the badlands that characterize this area. 

The start of the path is in the historic center of Casalfiumanese, in the Park of Villa Manusardi, to arrive at the place where the birthplace of Luca Ghini, pioneer of botany and first founder of a university botanical garden, stood. 

It is a fully marked CAI path (SLG); all the useful information to tackle this trek is published on the CAI Imola website.

The Vein of the Gypsum of Romagna.

 The CAI 705 path allows you to enter and immerse yourself in the Regional Park of the Vena del Gesso Romagnola , which in 2022 was officially nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The stone sparkles under the feet and reflects the sunlight, creating fascinating plays of light. The vertical wall of the Riva di San Biagio is the heart of this park. 

Departure and return are in Borgo Tossignano, a town that represents the western “gateway” of the Vena del Gesso Park, divided into two settlements: in the valley Borgo, while on the chalky hill is Tossignano. 

It will take a full day to enjoy this excursion, which extends for about 14km with an important difference in altitude of 750m. 

The best time to walk on the CAI 705 path is undoubtedly spring , with the first blooms the landscape is colored with new life. 

Sant'Andrea ring.

 

Going further up the Santerno Valley you arrive at Castel del Rio, where on the border between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, another path develops, much appreciated by the locals : the CAI 717 path. 

It is a particularly suggestive path that allows you to appreciate the typical vegetation of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines and to reach some secret and almost forgotten corners, such as the abandoned village of Castiglioncello.

The first stretch also allows you to see the famous Moraduccio waterfall , a pleasant place to rest from the heat of summer, thanks to a stretch of swimming in the Santerno. 

The stretch that continues after Castiglioncello is a steep climb with steps, slightly exposed, but leads up to Negheredole, with a beautiful chestnut wood.

Source.