Autumn colours on the Sentiero del Marrone – Foliage Tour

A walk to savour the first hints of autumn along the ridges of the Apennines, on the border between Romagna and Tuscany, amongst historic chestnut groves, sweeping views and ancient mountain settlements.
 

The route begins at the Complesso delle Selve (494 m), from where we’ll take the Sentiero del Marrone, a trail that winds through some of the area’s most characteristic landscapes. The ascent takes us through mixed woodland, chestnut groves and rocky outcrops, accompanied by the numerous springs that feed these mountain slopes, until we reach La Rocca (670 m).
 

Taking a variation on the main route, we’ll continue towards the ridge path leading to Poggio and the nearby Sasso viewpoint (997 m), one of the most spectacular spots on the route. From here, the view opens out over the Apennine hills and the vast woodlands which, with the arrival of autumn, begin to take on the characteristic colours of the autumn foliage.
 

From Sasso, we’ll begin the descent towards the Church of Montefune, passing through a varied landscape that alternates between panoramic stretches, mixed woodland and alpine meadows. At the church, it’s possible to stop for a break (open on request; water and toilet facilities may be available).
 

We will then resume the Sentiero del Marrone to cross the spectacular chestnut groves of the Selva di Massa, one of the area’s most significant forest complexes, where the centuries-old presence of the chestnut tree speaks to the deep connection between these mountains and the culture of the chestnut. From here, we will return to the starting point, concluding an itinerary that combines nature, history, chestnut local tradition and the most evocative colours of the autumn season.
 

A tasting session is planned at the end of the trek; this is optional and can be selected and purchased at the time of booking.

THEMATIC IN-DEPTH LOOK

During the walk, there will be an in-depth session dedicated to chestnut grove culture, from its origins through to mountain traditions, exploring the world of chestnuts and its picking.
 

We will discuss manual harvesting, ancient preservation techniques and the production of dried chestnuts, right through to their processing into flour – a prized ingredient for making cakes, bread and traditional specialities.
 

A journey through mountain cuisine, discovering the flavours of the woodland and the role that chestnuts have played for centuries in the diet and culture of mountain communities.
 

TASTING EXPERIENCE

The tasting offers a journey through the authentic flavours of the region, starting with a selection of crostini made with different types of bread and accompanied by simple yet flavourful pairings. We begin with yellow bread, enriched with ricotta from the Bordona Farm and a touch of sugar, followed by white bread served with wild boar sausage from the Mascherini Farm. The savoury section is rounded off with multigrain bread featuring cheese from the Bordona Farm, enhanced by the delicate aroma of chestnut honey.
 

The tasting continues with a selection of sweet treats dedicated to chestnuts, the star of local tradition and pastry-making. Guests can enjoy chestnut cookies and a shortcrust tart with chestnuts and wild berry jam, both from Bar Pasticceria Camaggi. Rounding off the sweet tasting will be the artisan chestnut and fiordilatte ice cream, made from scratch in the Bar Pasticceria Camaggi workshop using organic ingredients, such as chestnuts from Il Regno del Marrone Farm and milk from Bordona Farm.
 

The tastings will be accompanied by local Pignoletto and Sangiovese wines, along with lemon iced tea and water, for an experience that combines local produce, tradition and authenticity.
 

Technical information about the route:
Length: 9.4 km

Elevation gain: +/- 450 m

Walking time: 3 hours and 30 minutes

Full price: € 18

Reduced price (Card Cultura holders): € 15

Reduced price (6–12 years): € 9

Free: 0–5 years
For children under the age of 6, and to check whether the activity is suitable for their age, please contact us before booking at the following address: extrabo@bolognawelcome.it
 

A 50% discount is available for each person holding a disability card and one accompanying person. Bookings for tickets reserved for people with disabilities must be made by emailing extrabo@bolognawelcome.it or by visiting the eXtraBO information point in Piazza del Nettuno.

Services included:

• Guided tour with a GAE guide
• In-depth thematic commentary during the tour
• Optional tasting at an additional cost, which can be selected at the time of booking
• Opportunity to visit the Castel del Rio Chestnut Festival

Meeting point:

Complesso delle Selve
Via Le Selve, 680
40022 Castel del Rio (BO)

Before booking, please bear in mind that:

• Pets are allowed, but must be kept on a lead and remain the owner’s responsibility
• The venue is not accessible by public transport
• A packed lunch is strongly recommended, but optional

Refund and changes:

Cancellations with a refund or changes to the booking are possible up to 48 hours before the start of the activity.

The sale of tourist services is managed by Bologna Welcome Travel Agency