The Alto Reno is one of the most authentic areas of the Bolognese Apennines. Here, the mountains still preserve small stone villages, centuries-old chestnut groves, and landscapes that tell the story of centuries of Apennine life. This two-day itinerary begins in Porretta Terme, a historic spa town in the Apennines, and leads to the discovery of several hamlets and villages that preserve traditions, rural architecture, and evocative panoramas. Madognana, Lustrola, Castelluccio, and Granaglione are places where time seems to pass more slowly: paved alleys, small squares, mountain churches, and ancient chestnut groves tell the story of communities that for centuries have lived in harmony with nature. The route alternates visits to villages with walks in the woods and panoramic views of the Reno Valley, with the opportunity to hike along the network of CAI trails and discover the area's mountain culture.
Travel tip
The route is accessible year-round, with a particularly evocative atmosphere in autumn during the chestnut season. To visit the villages, we recommend staying overnight in Alto Reno Terme, from which the villages are 15 to 20 minutes away.
Starting from Bologna, take the Via Porrettana until you reach the municipality of Alto Reno Terme, a land of healthy waters, chestnut groves, and the history of the Bolognese Apennines. The first village to visit near Porretta Terme is Madognana, a small village nestled in the woods that retains the charm of ancient mountain communities.
The first evidence of the village's existence dates back to 1205 in a document that certifies its loyalty to the Municipality of Bologna. Today, it boasts a charming little square and a church adorned with a mural created in 1996 by the Hungarian painter Adam Kisléghi-Nagy. Just outside the village is the Monte della Croce lookout point, offering a splendid view of the Reno Valley and Porretta Terme.
Travel tip
Madognana is also an excellent starting point for nature hikes thanks to the network of CAI trails that run through the surrounding woods.
The village of Lustrola is surrounded by centuries-old chestnut groves that for centuries have represented a fundamental resource for the economy of mountain families. Its history is literally lost in the millennia: it was first mentioned in a Pistoia parchment in 1021. Walking through Lustrola is like stepping into the past: a small labyrinth of narrow alleys, steep stone steps, and ancient houses that tell the story of mountain life. The center of the village is the cobbled square with the Church of San Lorenzo, which today hosts cultural events and concerts.
Travel tip
Continuing through the villages of the Alto Reno, you reach Castelluccio located in a panoramic position above Porretta Terme. From here, the view extends over the ridges of Monte Cavallo and Monte Tresca. The town's most famous landmark is undoubtedly Manservisi Castle, a 19th-century Romantic-style building that houses the LabOrantes museum. An interesting exhibition dedicated to mountain culture, the museum tells the daily life of mountain communities, focusing on religion, work, and domestic traditions of the early 20th century.
Travel tip
Castelluccio is also an excellent starting point for splendid walks in the countryside and mountain bike trails: you can easily reach the sanctuary of Madonna del Faggio and the village of Tresana, as well as the Monte Cavallo refuge.
The final stop on the itinerary is Granaglione located in the Randaragna Valley, near the border with Tuscany. The area is characterized by forests, mountain slopes, and scattered small villages. The territory extends largely along the steep slopes of the mountains that crown the Reno Valley to the west, extending to less rugged heights only in the areas of Borgo Capanne, Varano, and Madognana, where the last foothills of Mount Granaglione slope more gently towards Porretta. Granaglione is the ideal place to end the weekend with a walk through chestnut groves and Apennine panoramas.
To know
A short distance from the village, you can visit the experimental educational chestnut grove, an area dedicated to the protection and promotion of the chestnut tree, a symbol of mountain culture.
To taste
The chestnuts harvested in the educational chestnut grove are used to produce an interesting local beer, made with this forest fruit.
