In fine weather, the desire to get on your bike and explore new routes increases. Bologna and its surroundings offer a number of interesting opportunities for both novice and experienced cyclists. Today, then, we would like to recommend four cycling tours near Bologna, which are not to be missed if you love two wheels.

These guided tours will allow you to admire the famous hills of Bologna at close quarters, pedalling along the white roads that wind between Castel San Pietro Terme, the village of Dozza and the city of Imola. All the tours we propose are organised by our Travelhoo agency, located in the heart of Bologna, and are tailored to various types of cyclists. So let's get on the saddle and start pedalling!

Bike tour to the Chiusa di Casalecchio

An easy route, also suitable for beginners, is the one from Bologna to the Casalecchio Sluice.

The chiusa is a hydraulic work built in the Middle Ages and was essential for the economic development of Bologna. By diverting the course of the Reno River, the sluice allowed water to flow into the centre of Bologna, feeding the mills and various manufactures that populated the city.

The bike tour to the Sluice of Casalecchio follows a flat route that you will ride on a comfortable city bike, while the guide will tell you about the history of Bologna's canals and its river port. Once in Casalecchio you can admire the lock in all its grandeur, surrounded by the enormous Talon park.

Bike tours between Castel San Pietro and Imola

We now propose some itineraries of longer duration and greater difficulty, perfect for those who already have some training behind them.

One of these is the bicycle tour between the hills of Dozza and Imola, a 60-kilometre itinerary that will first take you to explore the area between the spa town of Castel San Pietro and Dozza, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, in the company of a certified MTB guide. 

Pedalling up and down the hills of Dozza you will then reach Imola, the city of the famous and well-preserved Rocca Sforzesca, a fortification of medieval origin.

Bike tour between Castel San Pietro and Dozza

An alternative to the tour we’ve just mentioned, again of medium difficulty but shorter than the previous one, is the bike tour that takes you from Castel San Pietro Terme to Dozza with an intermediate stop in Toscanella.

The Dozza and the Painted Wall bike tour can be covered either by electric or muscle bike, depending on your preference. Whatever your choice, thanks to this itinerary you will fully immerse yourself in the gentle landscapes of the hills south of Bologna, and at the same time in art.

In Dozza and Toscanella you can admire the numerous murals that decorate some of the buildings in the centre, created during the Biennale del Muro Dipinto di Dozza.

E-bike tours of the Bologna hills

We conclude our overview of bike tours near Bologna with the Bologna hills e-bike tour. This itinerary is a nice opportunity to explore the hills in an alternative way, appreciating the landscape without hurry or particular physical exertion. All thanks to the electric bikes, which will allow you to reach your destination in total tranquillity.

The tour will stop at various vantage points, from which you can admire Bologna from above: these include the Villa Ghigi park and the Cavaioni Park, from which you can enjoy a remarkable view of the city. But that is not all, you will also reach many emblematic and fascinating places such as the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca and Talon Park.