Horseback Ride in the Bolognese Hills

The Bolognese hills

South of Bologna the flat Po plain ends suddenly and the land rises into soft green hills, the first foothills of the Apennines. This is the countryside Bologna's families escape to at weekends: fields of wheat and sunflowers, woods of oak and chestnut, old farmhouses and narrow valleys carved by rivers coming down from the mountains. From the higher points you can look back over the red roofs and towers of the city.

A horseback ride in the Bolognese hills is one of the most relaxing ways to see this landscape, at the slow rhythm of the horse and far from traffic. The best time to ride is spring, when the fields are green and the trees in flower, and autumn, when the woods turn gold and the air is clear; summer rides are best booked in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat.

The Reno River and its plane trees

The Reno is the river of Bologna. It rises high in the Apennines, flows north through a wide valley past the hills and, after the plain, reaches the Adriatic. For centuries its water was diverted into canals that powered the city's mills; along its banks in the hills, quiet paths follow the gravel shores and the shade of willows and poplars.

On the one-hour route your guide leads the group through cultivated fields and along avenues of plane trees that have stood for centuries, their huge trunks marking old farm roads, before following the trails beside the river. The pace is a gentle walk, with short stretches of trot only if everyone in the group feels confident. Is horseback riding near Bologna suitable for beginners? On this route, yes: the horses are calm and used to new riders.

Palazzo de' Rossi

Rising above the fields near the river, Palazzo de' Rossi is a fortified residence built at the end of the fifteenth century by a noble Bolognese family. With its corner towers, battlements and an elegant Renaissance courtyard, it was both a country retreat and a stronghold on the road towards the mountains; around it a small hamlet grew up with a church and houses for the estate workers.

The palace is a private property, so it is admired from outside, but seen from horseback across the meadows it makes a wonderful backdrop for photos. It also marks the point where the ride meets one of the most famous trails in Italy, the Via degli Dei, which passes right beside it on its way south.

The Via degli Dei, the Path of the Gods

The Via degli Dei is a long-distance trail that crosses the Apennines from Bologna to Florence, following in part the line of an ancient Roman road. Its name, the Path of the Gods, comes from the mountains it passes, named after ancient deities. Every year many hikers take several days to complete it, sleeping in villages along the way.

On horseback you ride only its first, gentle stretch near Palazzo de' Rossi, but it gives a real taste of the route: dirt tracks between fields and woods, small chapels and wide views of the valley. In the two-hour option for experienced riders, the route follows the trail further to the Laghetti del Maglio, small lakes surrounded by trees, a quiet place where horses and riders pause before returning.

Getting there and riding with us

How to get to the stables? They lie in the hills south of Bologna, about twenty-five minutes from the city centre by car; regional trains on the Porretta line also stop nearby, followed by a short taxi ride. Transport is not included, and we can arrange a private transfer from your hotel on request. The exact address is sent after booking.

Before setting off, the equestrian guide gives a short introductory briefing on how to mount, hold the reins and guide your horse, and fits you with a helmet and riding equipment. Groups are very small, so the guide can follow each rider closely. Wear long trousers and closed shoes, and bring water and sun protection in summer.