Tackling this itinerary means preparing for a much longer journey than the previous ones, in terms of kilometers and therefore travel times: at least 4 hours are necessary for an evocative, varied, and tortuous route, ideal for motorcyclists. After all, the goal is immersion in nature and discovering the beauty of the Upper Mugello, via passes and deep gorges with considerable differences in altitude.

In spring and summer, you are accompanied by the breathtaking views offered by strong and luxuriant nature, which in autumn and winter is transformed by the spectacle of colors: from burnt umber to red wine, up to the white of the snow, which envelops everything with its light veil. However, this close encounter with wild and uncontaminated beauty requires constant attention while driving however strong the temptation may be to follow the flight of a golden eagle or a peregrine falcon, or to admire the millenary sediments of the Apennines.

The starting point is the Barberino di Mugello exit of the A1 highway, from which you can quickly get to Borgo San Lorenzo. From here, proceeding in the direction of Faenza along the road of Roman origin, known as Via Faentina, you begin to climb towards the first pass, Passo della Colla di Casaglia. Several hamlets mark the route, guarding small jewels of culture and faith such as the Pieve di San Giovanni Maggiore church or Villa di Striano. After passing the towns of Ronta and Madonna dei Tre Fiumi, the road becomes increasingly narrow and rocky. After the hairpin bends above Razzuolo, arriving at the pass (913 mt.) can be disappointing, with dense and gloomy vegetation and with the only place for tourists closed a few years ago.

Continuing towards Faenza, you can deviate from the main route passing through Casaglia, then through the small but interesting village of Crespino del Lamone and finally through Marradi, one of the municipalities of the so-called “Tuscan Romagna,” also known for processing chestnuts. From Marradi you can take SP 306R and quickly get to Palazzuolo sul Senio from the north. Taking SP 477 instead on the left of the Passo della Colla, after a few bends, the alpine green is a prelude to areas such as Prato all’Albero, an area full of memories of WWII. Today, it is a setting for pleasant outings and a starting point of challenging trekking and biking tracks, on the double ridge and downhill on both sides. After a few kilometers of ups and downs, we arrive at Passo della Sambuca, the gateway to the territory of Palazzuolo sul Senio, awarded one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy,” as well the “Ideal Village” titles. The ascent towards Firenzuola on the SS 306 is no less fascinating, as is the third pass, Paretaio, located at almost 1,000 meters above sea level. Tabernacles and cottages dot the landscape. The next descent takes us to the Santerno valley and Diaterna creek, with their basins of fresh and pure water and the evocative effects created by the stones smoothed by the current, ideal during the summer for a refreshing break. Before Firenzuola, a detour of 7 kilometers on the left leads to Casetta di Tiara, a tiny village clinging to the rock with all its history, whose romantic aura is linked to the fateful meeting, in 1916, between the great Marradese poet Dino Campana and the writer Sibilla Aleramo.

After Firenzuola, which, like the other towns is worth a visit, we go up towards Passo del Giogo, the fourth pass of the itinerary, in the direction of Scarperia. And, immediately on the left you’ll find the sign for Badia di Moscheta. It is difficult to describe this valley with the homonymous church, its rivers, and mysterious canyon known as “Hell Valley” whose magic can only be experienced in person.

Continuing along the itinerary, you pass the hamlets of Rifredo and Barco until skirting pastures and forests, you arrive at Passo del Giogo, open and windy, from which you can tackle trekking and biking routes that bring you to Passo della Colla.

During the descent, we can see a view of the Mugello, the lake, and its banks where we will return to the real world on our way back with the feeling of having almost touched heaven.