Overview
The Cammino dell’Unione is a seven day circuit walking in Emilia-Romagna’s most tranquil spots, in particular the villages and hills of Modena Province. It’s well off the tourist trail, but close enough to enjoy some of its most historic and cultural highlights. Translated as Path of Union, it was created to rediscover a bond with land and nature, and to show that we must work, or indeed walk together to sustain it. Starting and ending in Vignola, which is accessible by rail, it’s a stunning starter course, at the foot of Rocca di Vignola. Other highlights include the Terre dei Castelli (Land of the Castles), Modena Hills, the rocky spires of Sassi di Roccamalatina Regional Park and an array of quiet and quintessentially Italian rural villages. They may be small, but there will be no shortage of local wine in their tavernas and cafes, along with a warm welcome for ramblers in their region.
- Vignola
- Spilamberto
- Terre dei Castelli
- Castelvetro
- Castello di Levizzano
- Castellino delle Formiche
- Sentiero dei Ponticelli
- Sassi di Roccamalatina Regional Park
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Vignola
Arrive in Vignola, a medieval town in the Emilia-Romagna region renowned for its cherry orchards, artisan traditions and well-preserved architecture. At its heart is Rocca di Vignola, a 13th-century fortress famous for its gothic frescoes and panoramic views of Panaro Valley.
- Accommodation: Emily House Vignola or similar in Vignola
- Optional hotel upgrade: La Cartiera Hotel or similar in Vignola
Day 2: Vignola – Levizzano | 24km
The route begins in Piazza dei Contrari, beside the Rocca, and follows a mostly level path along the Panaro River through countryside dotted with orchards and vineyards. The route continues to Spilamberto, home to Rangoni Fortress and the Museum of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. It then gently ascends toward Castelvetro di Modena, a historic hilltop village surrounded by vineyards. The day comes to a close in Levizzano Rangone, which is known for its production of Lambrusco Grasparossa wine, one of the region’s signature varieties.
- Walking for the day: 24km, 6h ↑289m ↓192m
- Accommodation: Emilio’s Rooms or similar in Levizzano
- Optional hotel upgrade: Opera 02 or similar in Levizzano
Day 3: Levizzano – Pieve di Trebbio | 23km
From Denzano, between Castelvetro and Marano sul Panaro, the path traverses diverse landscapes, including broom-covered hills, farmland and the barren seascapes of of Costa d’Esen, locally known as the Donkey Coast. The terrain grows wilder as it approaches the romanesque hamlet of Pieve di Trebbio, where you catch your first glimpse of the sandstone spires, shaped by erosion over millions of years, of Sassi di Roccamalatina Regional Park.
- Walking for the day: 23km, 7h ↑738m ↓494m
- Accommodation: Agriturismo Casa Rastelli or similar near Pieve di Trebbio
Day 4: Pieve di Trebbio – Zocca | 12km
Walk up Sasso della Croce, a dramatic peak within Sassi di Roccamalatina Regional Park, where you get great views over Modena’s valleys. Head back down through chestnut forests and quiet mountain villages before reaching Zocca, a traditional Apennine community, where chestnut-based cuisine, mountain produce and weekly markets are all important cultural features.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 5h ↑764m ↓400m
- Accommodation: Antica Locanda la Canonica or similar in Zocca
Day 5: Zocca – Guiglia | 20km
Leave Zocca along a trail through Sassi di Roccamalatina Regional Park as far as Sasso di Sant’Andrea rocks, which is perfect for a rest. Continue through Monteorsello Forest on a trail that leads to Guiglia, a hilltop village crowned by a 14th-century castle which overlooks Panaro Valley.
- Walking for the day: 20km, 6h ↑567m ↓933m
- Accommodation: Villa Dacia or similar in Guiglia
Day 6: Guiglia – Vignola | 21km
The final stage briefly enters the province of Bologna, reaching the medieval stronghold of Castello di Serravalle, before returning to Modena through Savignano Alto, a village perched above the Panaro River with views of the Apennine foothills. The trail continues through farmland and cherry orchards towards Vignola, your final destination and the end of the Cammino dell’Unione.
- Walking for the day: 21km, 6h ↑313m ↓645m
- Accommodation: Emily House Vignola or similar in Vignola
- Optional hotel upgrade: Hotel La Cartiera or similar in Vignola
Day 7: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation includes agriturismos, small family-owned B&Bs and well-established hotels. They have been carefully selected based on various criteria, including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food, and commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view sample hotels
- Emily House Vignola (Vignola)
- Emilio’s Rooms (Levizzano)
- Agriturismo Casa Rastelli (Pieve di Trebbio)
- Antica Locanda la Canonica (Zocca)
- Villa Dacia (Guiglia)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded hotels
- Opera 02 (Levizzano)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Dinner is available either at the accommodation or from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated easy to moderate and is suitable for walkers with a good level of fitness, with most days offering 5-7h of walking. The routes cover a variety of terrain, including dirt roads, mountain trails and asphalt (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you only to follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from April to October.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date within the season.
The Emilia-Romagna region generally experiences mild to warm weather. Spring and autumn temperatures range between 10–20C, with occasional rain. Summer temperatures typically range between 25–30C, with plenty of sunshine, so it’s advisable to start walks early to avoid the midday heat.
For more information please read our Best time to go to Italy blog.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Bologna Airport (BLQ)
By train or bus
- If you are able to travel to Italy without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with a train station in Vignola. For more details, see the national rail operator Trenitalia, or use the Omio planner above
- From Bologna Airport, take the Marconi Express bus (15mins) to Bologna railway station, where you can take a train to Vignola (1h). For more details, see the national rail operator Trenitalia, or use the Omio planner above. Once in Vignola, you can walk (15mins) to your accommodation
- Transfers: private transfers to and from the airport can be arranged on request
Inclusions
Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- 6 breakfasts
- Daily luggage transfers (one piece per person, max 15kg)
- Digital tour materials: detailed roadbook including maps a navigation app for smartphones and GPS tracks. Please note that no printed documents will be provided on-site.
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- International flights and land transfers
- Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Additional travel-related changes in the programme due to bad weather
- Entrance fees for attractions and museums
- Camino credential and certificate
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Hotel upgrades in Levizzano
- Airport transfers from any major airport in the area on request
- Local private transfers
Credential and Certificate
The Credential for the Cammino dell’Unione can be collected in one of the many affiliated outlets in Vignola (payable locally). The credential serves as a personal passport for the hike and is required to collect stamps from designated establishments along the route. If you collected the credential before starting the Camino, at the end of the tour you will receive the final certificate of completion from one of the designated outlets.
