The Wool and Silk Road
The Wool and Silk Road is a trekking route that connects the cities of Bologna and Prato, through a kaleidoscope of incredibly wild landscapes, strongly characterized by medieval architecture and industrial archeology linked to textile manufacturing.
This itinerary in fact connects the hydraulic systems of the Chiusa di Casalecchio (Bologna) with those of the Cavalciotto (Prato), joining these two important cities. The waters were indispensable in the past to move the machinery of the textile industry of Prato and the silk production of which Bologna was the capital. An itinerary that allows you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, rich in excellence and tradition, and discover how much history and culture are hidden in this area.
The Wool and Silk Road is 130 kilometers long and is traditionally divided into six stages of approximately 23 kilometers each from Bologna to Prato and vice versa.
The route is medium-difficult and for this reason less experienced walkers can "break up" each stage by stopping at strategic points which are located approximately halfway along the route.
A journey is not just a starting point to reach a destination. But it is a path that crosses thousands of small, large worlds that alternate within it, creating the whole of an unforgettable experience.
​Whether you decide to follow the path from Bologna to Prato or from Prato to Bologna, the Way will therefore have a lot to show you. From its wild nature, to the most recent history linked to the Second World War, from the world of sacred art to impressive evidence linked to industrial archaeology... and much, much more!
The walking route
The MTB route
Where to eat
Where to sleep
Useful information
Not to be missed
