02/10/2026
Dicomano becomes the heart of the slow-living movement: ITER, the Mugello Trails Festival, returns on 10 and 11 October
On 10 and 11 October, Dicomano will host the second edition of ITER – Festival of Walking Trails and Slow Living in Mugello, the travelling project created to showcase the region through walking, sustainable transport, culture and outdoor experiences.
Following its debut in 2025 between Barberino di Mugello and San Piero a Sieve, ITER arrives at the Parco dell’Albereta and the site of the former Dicomano abattoirs, coinciding with the traditional October Fair and offering a weekend that brings together nature, history, wellbeing, heritage and local flavours.
The programme kicks off on Saturday 10 October with two walking tours. At 9 am, a circular route of around 10 kilometres will set off between Dicomano and Frascole – a journey through the origins of the Mugello, taking in prehistoric remains, traces of Etruscan civilisation and a visit to the archaeological excavations at Frascole, with the chance to enjoy a tasting at the Frascole Farm. At the same time, “A Mugello to drink… and to smell!” will also set off – a walk for those wishing to share the experience with their dog, taking in hilly paths and vineyards, finishing at Borgo Macereto for a tasting of organic wines.
At 10.30 am, the Festival will get into full swing with “A Thousand Reasons to Walk: A Journey Through Science, History, Culture and Faith”, a discussion on the significance of moving slowly and the reasons that drive people to set out on a journey, featuring Guido Chelazzi, Fra Eliseo M. Grassi, Giuseppe Marrani and the mayor of Dicomano, Massimiliano Amato.
In the afternoon, the focus will be on flavours and safety: at 4.00 pm, chef Cristian Borchi will take centre stage in the cooking show “A stroll with Bardiccio”, whilst at 5.45 pm, Stefano Lorenzi from Appennino Slow will give a talk entitled “Tutti in cammino, i cammini di tutti” (Everyone on the move: trails for everyone), focusing in particular on the success of the Via degli Dei and the growth of walking trails in Italy. Finally, at 6.30 pm, Andrea Paoli and Stefano Rinaldelli, president of the Tuscan Alpine and Caving Rescue Service, will discuss how to tackle trails safely, including through the tools and technologies available today.
On Sunday 11 October, the programme resumes at 9.00 am with the ‘Vintage Trekking with Wine Tasting’, a walk through the vineyards of the Chianti Rufina area, including a tour and tasting at the Il Lago Winery.
At 10.30 am, there’s a double bill: “Finding the Trail”, a session dedicated to CAI trails, new trail markings and the role of volunteers in looking after the local area, and a Hatha yoga session for adults – open to beginners too – in the lush surroundings of the Parco dell’Albereta.
In the afternoon, the focus will be on cycling with the “Viminiccio Bike Tour”, a 20-kilometre ride on the slopes of Monte Giovi, through woods, places of remembrance and the landscapes of the Sieve valley, finishing with a ‘cycling aperitif’ open to participants.
The day will continue in the spirit of remembrance and traditions with “Songs of the Past, Voices of the Present”, a conversation between Viola Arinci and Professor Dario Nardini dedicated to the Cantamaggio festival and the relationship between popular culture and local identity. At 5.00 pm, Valeria Pellis will lead a session dedicated to animals, emotions and Bach Flower Remedies.
The Festival will draw to a close at 6 pm with “Gaia and Kronos, Mugello tales”, a theatre production conceived and performed by Valentina Cipriani, alongside Marco Paoli and Francesco “Baba” Fuligni, which will bring to the stage the stories of Serena Pinzani and some of the figures and events that have helped shape the collective memory of the Mugello. A journey through past and present via theatre, music, traditions and community.
Furthermore, over the two days of the festival, thanks to the efforts of the Dicomanese Archaeological Group – which will also be exhibiting a stunning series of reconstructions of Etruscan clothing – visitors will be able to take part in a series of free guided tours of the archaeological excavations at Frascole, with the option of a shuttle bus running from Albereta to this beautiful location, home to significant Etruscan finds.
Through ITER, ‘Orme del Mugello’ thus takes its vision of the region off the beaten track: a Mugello to be explored at a leisurely pace, but also to be discovered, listened to and experienced. The walking routes become the common thread linking landscape, history, people and local produce, in a project that, after Dicomano, will continue its journey through the other municipalities of the Mugello.
The October event will also be an opportunity to experience Mugello in the heart of autumn, amidst vineyards after the grape harvest, truffles, chestnuts, bardiccio and other local specialities, in conjunction with the Dicomano October Fair.
Participation in some of the free activities requires prior annual membership of Le Orme APS, at a cost of 10 euros, partly for insurance reasons.
ITER is organised by Le Orme APS and is held under the patronage of the Union of Municipalities of Mugello and the Municipality of Dicomano.
