Walking in Bologna: top walks, hikes and hidden trails

Walking in Bologna is the best way to experience the city’s soul.

Whether you prefer a gentle stroll under historic porticoes or a challenging hike through green hills, Bologna offers countless walking and hiking opportunities for every kind of traveler.

Here are my favorite routes — from easy hikes close to the center to more demanding trails in the hills — including one that takes you all the way to Florence.

The best walks in Bologna

San Luca is much more than a basilica — it's part of daily life here.

Perched on a hill just outside the city, it’s the first thing you see when arriving in Bologna and a silent guardian watching over us.

For locals, walking up to San Luca is almost a ritual.
It's also one of the most iconic and accessible Bologna hiking trails, suitable for everyone — from families to runners to pilgrims.

The trail starts at Porta Saragozza and winds up for nearly 4 km through 666 continuous porticoes, the longest arcade in the world.

You’ll meet people jogging, chatting, or quietly climbing in prayer.
I usually go with my camera, especially at sunset or late at night: the silence, the soft lights and the city in the background are hard to beat.

You can cheat and take the tourist train, sure.
But as Eliot once wrote: “The journey, not the destination matters.” That applies perfectly here.

Where to start: Porta Saragozza
How long does it take: 55 minutes
My tip: go at night. Even if the Basilica is closed, the atmosphere is worth the climb. One of the most peaceful and memorable hiking experiences and one of the best porticoes of Bologna

Villa Ghigi's park dominates Bologna from a hill near Porta San Mamolo.
From there you get a beautiful view of Bologna's skyline and when the sky is clear, you can also see the Alps mountains.

It’s an ideal spot for a picnic or a short break from the city noise. I often go there for a walk with friends, a sandwich, and a bottle of wine.

It’s also one of the easiest walks in Bologna, perfect if you're not into serious hiking but still want to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. Compared to Giardini Margherita, it’s a lot quieter and more “local”.

So grab some bread, mortadella, and a bottle of Pignoletto and relax between the rows of vines.

Where to start: Porta San Mamolo
How long does it take: 45 minutes
My tip: visit Villa Ghigi in autumn — the colors, the ripe grapes, and the golden light make it unforgettable

​www.fondazionevillaghigi.it

Have you heard about Parco della Chiusa?
It's one of the best parks in Bologna, no doubt.

This huge park in Casalecchio di Reno is just outside Bologna and offers one of the most scenic and historical hiking routes near Bologna

Start your walk (or ride) at Certosa Cemetery and visit it: it's astonishing. Then skirt one of the canals whose flow rate is controlled by la Chiusa of Casalecchio.

La Chiusa (The Gate) is one of the oldest works of hydraulic in the world and helped the economic growth of Bologna during the Middle Ages by providing energy to its water mills to produce silk.

​La Chiusa is near a huge park that Stendhal, a frequent visitor of these places, compared to Paris's Bois de Boulogne.

From here you can start the De Bregoli path, which connects directly to San Luca. It’s a more natural alternative to the portico walk, and one of my favorite hikes in Bologna when I want to be surrounded by green without going too far.

Where to start: Certosa Cemetery
How long does it take: 40min
My tip: Get the Bologna bike ride to Parco della Chiusa. Then leave your bike there and continue your walk on foot. Perfect mix of cycling and hiking.

​www.parcodellachiusa.it

[photo credits: Andrea Forni, Andrea Farina, Mar_Kor, Alice Verti]