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San Luca Ascent – Portico di San Luca loop from Bologna Centrale

San Luca Ascent – Portico di San Luca loop from Bologna Centrale

Hard

4.7

(94)

928

riders

San Luca Ascent – Portico di San Luca loop from Bologna Centrale

02:53

48.3km

1,130m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 12, 2026

Tips

The surface along some of this route may not be suitable

Some segments of your route comprise a surface that may not be suitable for your chosen sport.

After 46.3 km for 149 m

After 47.1 km for 938 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

3.72 km

San Luca Ascent

Highlight (Segment) • Climb

The Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca can be reached via this very steep road, the most direct route from Porta Saragozza (south-west of Bologna) to Colle della Guardia. On the left, a very long and fascinating portico winds its way up the hill. From the Arco del Meloncello, the beginning of the climb, the road climbs up, but the toughest point is the famous Orfanelle curve, where a female orphanage was active from 1930 to 1994. Here the maximum gradient reaches 24%.

This climb towards San Luca has been part of the final circuit of the Giro dell'Emilia for years, an important race for professionals and women.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5.36 km

Portico di San Luca

Highlight • Monument

The world's longest covered arcade at 4km long with 666 arches!

Tip by

5.85 km

View of the Sanctuary of San Luca

Highlight • Viewpoint

Once you reach the sanctuary of San Luca from the classic and more difficult side, the one with the famous Curva delle Orfanelle that begins under the Arco del Meloncello, after a few hundred meters a wonderful glimpse opens up towards the sanctuary. It is a fascinating panoramic point, but pay attention to the narrow road.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

13.5 km

View of the Sanctuary of San Luca from Via del Genio

Highlight • Viewpoint

Via del Genio is a very characteristic street of Bologna. In practice from the center of Bologna in a few curves you find yourself in another world, in the middle of the woods and in nature. A series of Dolomite-style hairpin bends - it is said that there are 33 - allows you to reach the summit of the Colli Bolognesi with no little effort.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

32.6 km

Church of Casaglia

Highlight • Religious Site

It is Karataristica to be seen as a small church, even if only from the road along the ridge

Translated by Google •

Tip by

33.5 km

Casaglia Church

Highlight • Religious Site

35.6 km

Quarry Park

Highlight • Natural

Good refreshment point

Translated by Google •

Tip by

39.3 km

Scenic Hills and Valleys of Via Poggio

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

As of June 6th 2024, Via Poggio is still closed due to the slides. I was able to carry my bike and crossed the blocked segment, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Tip by

41.6 km

Viewpoint

48.3 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

41.0 km

5.37 km

1.84 km

122 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

41.8 km

3.62 km

2.87 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (280 m)

Lowest point (40 m)

Weather

Saturday 11 July

33°C

20°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

October 28, 2023,Un po' di colli intorno a Bologna

@Felice Giordano🌞 if you pass by here sometime, I recommend it

Showing Translation

May 19, 2024,Zum Sonnenaufgang nach St. Luca

A remarkably steep road leads along the longest arcade in the world up to the church of St. Luca above Bologna.
It is even more beautiful at sunrise because there is no traffic and the temperature is pleasant.
Otherwise, there are also wonderfully winding roads leading through the hills just south of Bologna.

Showing Translation

July 1, 2022,sgambata sui colli BO. ( un po' troppo traffico)

In the summer the hills are a bit too crowded ... cars parked on the street and many SUVs in inexperienced hands 🙄

Showing Translation

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San Luca Ascent – Portico di San Luca loop from Bologna Centrale

San Luca Ascent

Portico di San Luca

View of the Sanctuary of San Luca

View of the Sanctuary of San Luca from Via del Genio

Church of Casaglia

Casaglia Church

Quarry Park

Scenic Hills and Valleys of Via Poggio

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