Hiking aroud Castiglione dei Pepoli

Updated on 28 January 2026

Castiglione dei Pepoli is nestled in the green Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, in an area bordering Emilia and Tuscany.

There are many historical and natural attractions in the area around Castiglione: just think of the important historical testimony provided by the South African Military Cemetery, which has been restored in the village at the Paolo Guidotti Cultural Center (dedicated to World War II as well as local culture); or the fact that Castiglione is the midway point of the Via della Lana e della Seta (Wool and Silk Road), a route that leads from Bologna to Prato. In order to make the most of this heritage, a number of walks have been created to slowly discover the most important points of interest in the Castiglione area.

Route C1: Santa Maria Loop
Starting directly from Castiglione dei Pepoli, you first reach the small lake of Santa Maria, while on the way back you can stop at the South African Military Cemetery (the largest of its kind in Italy). The lake, like the nearby Suviana and Brasimone reservoirs, is used for electricity production.

Route C2/3: Rasora-Bagucci
This route (presented in two variants, one longer by about 15 km and one shorter by about 8 km) winds through the places where the workers who built the Direttissima railway worked and lived. Of particular historical and industrial interest is the village of Ca' di Landino, built almost a century ago specifically to house the workers who built the tunnels and the railway, together with their families.

Route C4: Mountain views
This walk takes you through the beautiful woods around Monte Baducco and Monte Gatta, which also include a certified area dedicated to forest therapy: sessions are held here by CAI Castiglione.

Route C5: Pian Colorè
Starting from the village, you can reach Lake Brasimone, an artificial reservoir just over ten kilometers from Castiglione. Along the way, it is impossible not to stop at Pian Colorè, where you can admire the majestic beech trees and refresh yourself at a spring. A slight detour will take you to the Brasimone dam.

Route C6: Mogne-Brasimone
The destination is once again the Brasimone basin, but the route is different: the main points of interest along this stretch are the ancient church of Madonna del Cigno (built on the remains of a pre-existing early medieval building) and the spectacular view that can be admired from the ridge between the Brasimone basin and Lake Santa Maria.

Route C7: Village trails
An urban trek that includes short walks dedicated to discovering the village of Castiglione dei Pepoli, with its churches, shelters, and beautiful woods. The route passes through Piazza della Libertà with the town hall, the South African Cemetery, Lake Santa Maria, Rimembranza Park, and the viewpoint.

For more information on the routes, visit the BOM - Bologna Montana website.