Fiesole to Firenze on the Via degli Dei hike

The historical centers of Florence and Bologna are connected by an ancient path known as Via degli Dei. This path crosses all of the Tuscan Emilian Apennines. The walk from Fiesole to Florence (ending in the Duomo plaza) traces parts of the Via degli Dei.

We love this walk as a morning or afternoon trip when we are staying in Florence, as it’s much better in the cooler morning or afternoon air, and the light is better.

From Piazza Fiesole start walking out of the town on a paved road called Via Giuseppe Verdi going uphill. At the Croce Rossa Italiana take a left onto Via di monte Ceceri towards the mountain, Monte Ceceri. At the top of Monte Ceceri is a monument to commemorate Leonardo Da Vinci and Tommaso Masini’s experiments in flight.

As you head uphill there are great views on the right-hand side looking out towards Florence. In many spots you look over olive groves to see Florence. You can even see the Duomo in Florence from these viewpoints. The path soon leaves the pavement after an uphill and then a downhill stretch and then joins onto a walking trail marked with red and white flashes.

The first part of this hike overlaps with the end of the shorter Fiesole Loop, detailed in the Insider Tips. After reaching the top of the small mountain, follow the red and white markings for the way down. There are occasionally steep switchbacks with lots of loose gravel so pay attention to your footing.

After the switchbacks you come to a metal gate just before you reach the pavement. From here the path is not well marked so it is important to pay attention, it is even better if you have a map on your phone where you can see your location for this section.

The road you end up on is called the Via Cave di Maiano. Follow along this road, staying to the right at the first intersection then when you reach a Y- junction, shortly after continue to the left on Via del Palmerino. Take the first left, there is a sign that says it is a dead end but this is the correct way to go. At the end of this road, take a left after the last house and you will be on a path. Continue along this path and you will connect back to a road which is Vis del Palmerino. At a T- junction, go left to stay on the road.

At the next two junctions, continue straight, until you take a left on Via Lungo l’Affrico. To stay on this road, veer to the right at the Y-junction. At the next major intersection you are on the outskirts of Florence and the red and white markings no longer appear. Stay to the right and end up on Viale Augusto Righi. As you enter the city there is a bike path right beside you along part of the roads.

After 2625ft you will come to a round-about where you will need to head to your left and get onto Viale Alessandro Volta. Continue along this road for another 2625ft and take a left on Via Antonio Pacinotti and the next right onto Viale dei Mille. Viale dei Mille ends at a major intersection – to cross you must go through an underground tunnel covered with graffiti and you end up on Viale Don Giovanni Minzoni.

Follow this road for 1575ft to another major intersection, where you will need to cross the SS67 and continue to the left and then right onto Via Alfonso Marmora. This road will become Via Giorgio la Pira, past Piazza San Marco and the Galleria Dell ‘ Accademia Di Firenze. Keep going as the road becomes Via Ricasoli and straight to the Piazza del Duomo.