Skip to content

Information

The “Via dei Gessi e dei Calanchi” (chalk and ravine route) is a 102 km-long route that connects Bologna to Brisighella and Faenza, through the hills of Emilia-Romagna. A trail consisting of 7 stages with challenging gradients, allowing you to discover the natural beauty and picturesque villages of the area in slow mode.

The itinerary starts just outside the city of Bologna and continues through the Parco Regionale dei Gessi Bolognesi e dei Calanchi dell’Abbadessa, a protected area that hosts delicate environments such as chalk outcrops and marvellous ravine formations.

Leaving the park, continue on to the picturesque village of Dozza, from where you reach Borgo Tossignano. Here you enter another Regional Park, the Parco Regionale della Vena del Gesso Romagnola, where you can admire the gypsum with its cliffs, caves and surrounding woods.
Leaving the park, you reach Brisighella, a village in Romagna from which you reach the centre of Faenza.

More updated info on the trail HERE.

map Stages

  • 1

    Bologna - Settefonti

    • Lenght : 21,3 km
  • 2

    Settefonti - Dozza

    • Lenght : 22,1 km
  • 3

    Dozza - Borgo Tossignano

    • Lenght : 12,7 km
  • 4

    Borgo Tossignano - Borgo Rivola

    • Lenght : 9,5 km
  • 5

    Borgo Rivola - Zattaglia

    • Lenght : 8,2 km
  • 6

    Zattaglia - Brisighella

    • Lenght : 9,4 km
  • 7

    Brisighella - Faenza

    • Lenght : 18,7 km

bar_chart Technical Info

  • Km: 102 km
  • Stages: 7
  • Regions: 1

download Download

High-top hiking boots and thermal anti-blister socks are recommended.

40/50 litre rucksack that should never exceed 7-8 kg (water included. At least 3 litres per day are recommended in summer. On some parts of the route there are neither drinking water fountains nor shops)

Hiking map

First aid kit

GPS system for orientation

Telephone and battery charger + power bank

Walkable all year round. Beware during summer periods for high temperatures and winter periods for low temperatures and snow.

At the eXtraBO info-point, you can find the printed trail guide

On the official website, you can download the Walker’s Postcard for free.

Chat with us on WhatsApp Contact us via WhatsApp