The Italian region of Emilia Romagna has just added a new Pilgrim's Path to its network of ancient pilgrimage routes.
Emilia Romagna is in the North of Italy and located over the Appenine Mountains from Tuscany.
The new Sentiero dei Ducati (the Duchies Trail), which can be undertaken on foot or by bicycle, is designed to retrace the ancient routes contouring the borders of the historic Italian regions.
Once ruled by a Duke or With the new addition, Emilia Romagna now has 20 trails for visitors looking for a "slow tourism" experience in 2022.
Sentiero dei Ducati has one trail for hikers (160km) and another for mountain bikers (90km.
Both start in the village of Quattro Castella (Emilia Romagna) and end in the ancient Roman port of Luni (Tuscany).
The new path covers some spectacular corners of the northern Apennines, crossing vineyards, castles, ancient churches, stone villages, fresh streams and beech forests that will delight bikers and cyclists alike.
The hiking trail can be done in 11 stages, while the cycling trail offers an extraordinary ride in six stages, from the plains to the sea.
With the addition of Sentiero dei Ducati, there are now 20 ancient pilgrimage routes that cross through Emilia Romagna.
Modern pilgrims can stop atprayer centres, monasteries, archaeological sites, medieval towns as well as protected nature reserves, regional and provincial parks.
Accommodations includes lodges, pilgrim houses, hostels, convents, monasteries and holiday homes.
Useful links
www.camminiemiliaromagna.it/en/cammino/21-sentiero-dei-ducati