This itinerary follows Trail 169, which runs along the banks of the Reno River and beside the historic Porrettana Railway, linking Ponte della Venturina to Pracchia and connecting the provinces of Bologna and Pistoia.
Starting from the Ponte della Venturina railway station, the northern end of Trail 169, a short walk leads to the Strada Statale before crossing the bridge over the Reno River, the point marking the border between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany.
The trail begins right at the end of the bridge, winding through the territory of Sambuca Pistoiese and passing through charming hamlets such as Pavana, known as the home of singer-songwriter Francesco Guccini, and Lagacci, affectionately called “the village of proverbs”. The route ends in Pracchia, where hikers can conveniently take a train back to the starting point.
Trail 169 was recently reopened thanks to the I Cammini dell’Acqua program, promoted by Publiacqua S.p.A. through a project by the Campeda Futura Association, which enabled the restoration of the path and the rediscovery of ancient springs.
Water is a recurring theme along the trail: the route both begins and ends at the Reno River, and small springs can be found bubbling through the woods, fed by the area’s unique geological features.
Along the way, hikers also follow the Sentiero di Davide, which overlaps almost entirely with Trail 169. Here, numerous panels offer reflections on local wildlife, flora, and human presence, creating a truly philosophical and literary trail. Additional signs by Campeda Futura illustrate the natural and historical features of the landscapes along the route.