The opportunity to bring together tourism, history, art, nature, wellness, hospitality, and food and wine under one roof stems from the idea that Mugello is a vast territory, rich in all these resources, yet not only underappreciated but also not fully known, even by its own inhabitants.
This can be realized through the creation of a series of routes (following CAI trails as well as secondary or main roads), interconnected and combinable with one another, which also intersect with existing routes and itineraries, like a river with a thousand streams—all waiting to be explored and experienced.
These itineraries may last just a few hours or stretch over an entire week (when combined), allowing travelers to appreciate every facet of Mugello.
Routes designed with a distinctly historical character, forming a kind of overlapping map in different colors, retracing the roads of ancient pilgrims, merchants and craftsmen, popular faith, wars and battles, escapes and discoveries.
Surprisingly, these routes cover the entire Mugello area—no municipality excluded—offering a complete understanding of its various features.
These itineraries allow travelers to walk through breathtaking landscapes, stop at points of interest and architectural beauty, and access guides (printed or digital, with images, videos, and audio guides) that share the stories of historical figures to better understand the places and events that unfolded there.
Travelers can also stop at farms, villages, and businesses to witness artisanal production and taste incredible flavors—the result of Tuscan-Romagna culinary blending and high-quality local ingredients.
At day’s end, they’ll be welcomed by Mugello’s hospitality structures, which cater to walkers, cyclists, or riders, helping them forget the day's fatigue and relive its best moments.
These routes will be available on paper and digital formats (tablets, smartphones, etc.), and promoted via media outlets, social networks, and testimonials.
This detailed and complex project aims to launch ten itineraries (and their variants), plus four with specific themes—expandable at any time with additional historical insights and contributions.
The guide, in both paper and digital formats, will also provide information and contacts to visit farms, artisans, and artists along the routes (or just short detours away).
Among the many experiences offered, Orme del Mugello gives hikers a nature-based wellness journey—a chance to relax, slow down, and reconnect with their inner balance.
Accompanied by expert professionals, they can enjoy activities like Forest Bathing, Yoga, Meditation, and other holistic disciplines—connecting with themselves and the sounds of nature to rediscover peace and harmony.
Specific information will also be provided for cyclists and horse riders, such as facilities with garages, stables, and spaces for bike and animal maintenance.
Additionally, for hikers accompanied by their dogs, our website will feature Dog Friendly accommodations, dedicated services, and tips for enjoying the area together with their four-legged friends.
An added value is the agri-food processing center in Borgo San Lorenzo, where themed work experiences can be organized.
Participants will become key players in transforming local products, guided by experienced instructors.
Once launched, this initiative will be promoted not only through targeted press campaigns and public events but also with the support of local (and national) celebrities from sports, culture, and the arts, with whom we’ll produce photos and videos to properly promote the project in Italy and abroad.
Dedicated promotions will also be designed for schools (and summer camps) through tour operators and specialized channels, encouraging educational outdoor visits.
This will also be implemented in schools and local educational centers, promoting field trips that combine learning with outdoor experiences.
To improve accessibility and comprehension, tourism office staff throughout Mugello will be trained to help organize and deliver coordinated and widespread visitor experiences across all municipalities.
Specific training sessions will also be held for environmental guides, cycling guides, dog trainers, and holistic operators—to assist those requiring a guide or companion during their journey.
The Credential
In keeping with traditions found along historical walking routes, a "credential" will be created to record stamps from hospitality spots, visited farms, tourism offices, churches, bars, or restaurants along the way, as proof of the journey.
This will not only serve as a delightful keepsake but also create bonds with people and places, eventually granting a certificate—like a final “Compostela”—to those completing one or more routes.
These certificates will be issued by tourism offices or other accessible and consistently open locations throughout the region.
Festival of Paths
Finally, as part of efforts to promote and enhance the network of trails, we plan to organize traveling “Festivals of the Paths” across various municipalities, villages, and sites of interest.
These events will help assess progress, promote the initiative locally, and offer added opportunities to those walking a trail—perhaps even motivating people to choose Mugello as a destination just for the occasion.
The festivals will host meetings and talks on hiking and slow tourism, provide previews of trail-side experiences, showcase live artisanship, and feature products from businesses based along the routes—including local food and wine specialties.
Depending on relevant anniversaries related to figures of cultural importance in Mugello and the chosen host locations, there will also be cultural and recreational events drawing from local traditions—appealing not just to walkers but also to tourists and neighboring residents.
A full and comprehensive commitment—not limited to launching the project but unfolding dynamically over the years.
True to the project name, ORME DEL MUGELLO represents the footprints left by those who came before us, by the animals that rule the forests where we walk, and by each person who chooses to walk or cycle along these trails—leaving a mark on a land that is endlessly rich in discovery and connection.
Footprints from the past, footprints walking into the future!