Via della Lana e della Seta
Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Italy · Bologna, Italy → Prato, Italy
Distance
130 km
Stages
6
Difficulty
moderate
Best months
Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct
Via della Lana e della Seta · Stages and distances
Walking distances for Appy’s stages (6)
| Stage | km |
|---|---|
| 1. Bologna → Sasso Marconi | 22 |
| 2. Sasso Marconi → Grizzana Morandi | 22 |
| 3. Grizzana Morandi → Castiglione dei Pepoli | 22 |
| 4. Castiglione dei Pepoli → Vernio | 22 |
| 5. Vernio → Vaiano | 22 |
| 6. Vaiano → Prato | 20 |
| Total | 130 |
About
From Bologna's medieval streets to Prato's textile heart, about 130 km of history unfolds. The Via della Lana e della Seta traces ancient trade routes, a journey through the echoes of silk and wool.
Six stages, 2,094 metres of elevation gain: this cultural walk is accessible yet rewarding. Sasso Marconi's rustic charm, Grizzana Morandi's artistic whispers, and the imposing Castello dell'Imperatore await.
Smell the fresh bread from local bakeries and savour the rich flavors of Emilia-Romagna. This is not just a walk; it’s a taste of Italy’s textile legacy, best enjoyed in spring or autumn.
Stages
6 stages
Stage 1- Distance
- 22 km
- Ascent
- 74 m
- Descent
- 43 m
Stage 2Sasso Marconi → Grizzana Morandi
moderate- Distance
- 22 km
- Ascent
- 617 m
- Descent
- 199 m
Stage 3- Distance
- 22 km
- Ascent
- 486 m
- Descent
- 464 m
Stage 4Castiglione dei Pepoli → Vernio
moderate- Distance
- 22 km
- Ascent
- 450 m
- Descent
- 731 m
Stage 5Vernio → Vaiano
moderate- Distance
- 22 km
- Ascent
- 313 m
- Descent
- 454 m
Stage 6Vaiano → Prato
easy- Distance
- 20 km
- Ascent
- 154 m
- Descent
- 244 m
Points of interest
- Chiesa di S. Niccolò
Underground structures: 0 p.s.; foundations not ascertainable.
- Torri medievali
Underground structures: 0 p.s., foundations not ascertainable. Masonry techniques: cornerstones in stone.
- Torre dei Mazzinghi
Underground structures: 0 p.s., foundations not ascertainable.
- Torre degli Ammannati
underground structures: 0 p.s.
- Chiesa di Sant'Anna in Giolica
underground structures: 0 p.s.; foundations not ascertainable
- Viale della Rimembranza di Prato a San Giusto a Piazzanese
Tree-lined avenue marked externally by an architectural masonry backdrop, aligned with the entrance of the church of S. Giusto a Piazzanese
- Palazzo Datini
load-bearing walls: stone and brick (core); stone (courses and decorations)
- Palazzo comunale
underground structures: 0 p.s., foundations not ascertainable; load-bearing walls: stone and brick (core)/ stone (courses and decorations)
Travel
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How many days can you actually spend walking? Start there, then choose stages that leave you time to stop along the way.
How to plan a walking trip by train and bus
Two different stations, a last bus and a backpack. Fit the journeys out and home around the days you want to spend walking.
Take your walk with you: download Appy
Via della Lana e della Seta. Explore maps, stages and elevation in the app, and plan your train or bus journey.
