Stage 7 · Bismantova → Firenzuola
- Distance
- 165 km
- Elevation gain
- 3,300 m D+
- Suggested days
- 2
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Surface
- 92% asphalt, 8% gravel · 28% on cycle routes
- Terrain
- Tuscan-Emilian Apennines
- Hospitality
- Hotels
GPX 1.1 file with the track, elevation and the abbeys as waypoints. Tracks are calculated on real roads and cycle routes (OpenStreetMap): check them on the ground before you set off.
Stage map
Map of the stage Bismantova → Firenzuola: track, start, finish, places to stay and abbeys
Hover the profile to see the spot on the map
Tracks calculated on real roads and cycle paths (OpenStreetMap); elevations from SRTM data — to be checked on the ground
Main climb: 8.9 km at 6.4% (up to 1,134 m)
Other climb: 7.0 km at 5.7% (up to 868 m)
This stage on Komoot
The same track is on the project's Komoot profile: save it in the app and ride it with voice navigation.
Overview
A long crossing of the Tuscan-Emilian ridge: from the shadow of the Pietra di Bismantova the route traverses passes and beech woods until it crests into Tuscany, dropping to Firenzuola in the upper Santerno valley.
Notes from the road
The ridge stretches across six historic passes, each with its own name and local legend. The fatigue here lives less in the legs and more in the head. The day is long and the weather turns fast above a thousand metres. Better to start while it is still dark to reach Firenzuola in good light. The town, rebuilt in pietra serena after the war, closes such a serious stage well.
What to see
Ridges and beech woods of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, views over the Mugello, German military cemetery at the Futa Pass (nearby), Firenzuola rebuilt in pietra serena after the war
Where to sleep
Firenzuola: small hotels and B&Bs (55-90€); agriturismo (50-80€)
Where to eat
Mugello potato tortelli, Mugello IGP chestnuts, pappardelle with wild boar, porcini mushrooms, mountain cheeses
Tips
A serious, very long stage. Mind your navigation: roads and tracks blur together and ridge weather changes fast. Start very early to arrive in daylight. On the real track it is 165 km and 3,300 m of climbing: better over two days, stopping at Porretta Terme (around km 100).
Water & supplies
Services in Castelnovo ne' Monti at the start, then long Apennine stretches with 20-30 km between bars. Fountains in the villages along the way; patchy phone coverage at altitude and changeable ridge weather. Firenzuola has food shops and restaurants on arrival. Faced with Maremma sheepdogs, better not to run and not to stare. Best to dismount and use the bike as a shield toward the dog. Move away calmly, without approaching the flock.
Places to stay on this stage
- Camping La Futacampsite
Passo della Futa, Firenzuola (FI)- Price:
- budget campsite rates, tent + person
- Open:
- seasonal (late spring – early autumn)
- Facilities:
- shaded tent pitches, swimming pool, bar, restaurant-pizzeria, washing sinks; a classic stage stop on the Via degli Dei
- Source:
- campinglafuta.it · viadeglidei.it/passo-della-futa/campeggio-la-futa
On the ridge of the Futa Pass, where the route crosses the Via degli Dei: a favourite with hikers and bikepackers.
Abbeys on this stage
- Start abbey: Pietra di Bismantova
An amateur, non-profit project. The tracks are indicative: everyone rides independently, at their own risk.