DAY 43 - BOLOGNA to CASTELFRANCO EMILIA - 2 June 2026

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Today was a transition day, getting from Bologna to a place part way to the Pavarotti Museum (a treat for tomorrow). No soft walking paths coincided with our planned route, so we spent the day on asphalt.

After leaving the porticoes we joined a cycle way. It didn't last long because there were significant road works, perhaps part of the light rail infrastructure Bologna is installing. Mostly there were foot paths however and sometimes even shade.

We were lucky enough to find a table mid-morning at a very popular bar, crowded with locals enjoying their public holiday. We had a cappuccino and croissant before continuing on a cycle way beside the road. There were day walkers and even some cyclists using the path. There were a couple of water fountains and even benches and rubbish bins. Unfortunately the gelato museum was closed for the public holiday but we did pass the Fabbri factory. Fabbri are a Bologna based 5th generation company, making amarena cherry products. We plan to try their gelato soon!

Shortly after midday we stopped for a pasta lunch, our main meal today. We tried some regional specialities, lasagne and a Bologna version of pasta and bean soup. Someone had spent a long time making the restaurant decorations out of lego. Soon after 1pm the restaurant became very busy, but we had to continue our walk anyway.

The last part of the walk was either on the road or beside the road and there was quite a bit of traffic. We broke it up with another bar stop, this time for a soft drink. We were glad to leave the main road and pass beside fields of wheat, grapes, corn and fruit trees before reaching our agriturismo.

There were no nearby restaurants so our dinner was tuna and bananas! 

Leaving Bologna
Crossing the Reno River 
Supporting a local small business

Roadside exercise, inspired by a roundabout sculpture
We didn't both exercise. One of us just walked. 
A lot of road-walking today
Colourful branding at the Fabbri factory
Remembering cycling legend Fausto Coppi 
We had a dedicated pedestrian path for parts of the walk. Here we shared it with a parked truck. 
A water fountain, a bench, and a bin - very welcome facilities for the long-distance walker
On the cycleway
The Gelato University and Museum - closed for the public holiday
Memorial to two female victims of the Nazis
Recreation of a bronze age hut in the open-air archaeological museum in Anzola Dell'Emilia. The museum was closed for the public holiday.
Regional speciality for lunch: 1. Lasagna
Regional speciality for lunch: 2. Pasta and beans
Through rural scenery as we approached our b and b in the country
A long driveway to end the day's walk
Bits and pieces
Birds
Day 43 - Map

Day:                               43
Distance:                      26.92 km
Walking time:               5 hrs 16 mins
Elevation gain:             77 metres
Cumulative distance:  825.08 km

Comments

  1. Anonymous3 June 2026 at 06:10

    Today’s birds: Probably Common Buzzard, Hooded Crow, Common Swift, Alpine Chough (I think that’s a new one for your trip)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Barkers4 June 2026 at 05:58

    Awesome, thanks Murray!

    ReplyDelete

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