Easy hikes and walks in Media Valle Del Sillaro

at certain times it is also possible to find it open to visit the church

Monte delle Formiche is a relief in the middle Bolognese Apennines above Pianoro, between the Idice valleys and the Zena valley. It has an altitude of 638 m. The name of the mountain seems to be linked to a natural phenomenon that occurs annually around September 8th, the feast day of the Madonna to whom a sanctuary is dedicated at the top of the mountain. Swarms of winged ants of the Mirmyca Scabrinodis variety migrate to this peak from central Europe to make their nuptial flight and die there. The event, which has been witnessed since ancient times, has over time taken on an almost miraculous value, a sort of homage from nature to the Madonna. From the sanctuary there is a beautiful panoramic view of the valleys below. By bike it is a beautiful climb with significant gradients.

The beech (in botany Fagus) is an arboreal species of the Angiosperm genus belonging to the Fagaceae family. It is an imposing and leafy plant, capable of reaching considerable heights, between 15-35 meters. Its name comes from the Latin fagus which means 'to eat', alluding to the fruit, which is edible. From the website: https://www.tuttogreen.it/faggio-caratteristiche/

The sanctuary stands in a wonderful position about 20 km from Loiano on a rocky spur (638 meters high) overlooking the Idice and Zena valleys. Surrounded by a beautiful woodland where in the days of the festival the ancient one takes place. Procession of the Wood, the place is known everywhere as Monte delle Formiche for a curious natural phenomenon that has occurred once a year since time immemorial: the migration to this peak of a variety of winged ants (Mirmyca Scabrinodis) which in September they come in swarms from the center of Europe to complete their nuptial flight. https://www.montedelleformiche.it/santuario-monte-delle-formiche

Monte delle Formiche, from which you can enjoy a beautiful view, owes its name to a curious phenomenon: around 8 September, the day of the feast of the Madonna, swarms of winged ants (Myrmica Scabrinodis) reach the summit and die here. This is a natural phenomenon (even if here it is particularly intense and dramatic) common to many types of hymenoptera: the male ants, after mating, are attracted to the places that stand out on the horizon and go there to die. Females will go looking for other places to form new colonies. The phenomenon is very ancient since in 1400 the church was called Santa Maria Formicarum. Popular tradition has attributed to the event an almost miraculous value, a sort of homage of nature to the Madonna: under the image of the Virgin a Latin couplet is reproduced which reads "centatim volitant formicae ad Virginis aram quo que illam voliant vistmae tatque cadunt" (anxiously the ants fly to the altar of the Virgin, knowing that at her feet they will die). It is tradition that insects are blessed and given to the faithful (popular belief has it that they cure some ailments). (Source: https://www.montedelleformiche.it/formiche-alate) The sanctuary of Monte delle Formiche (ecclesiastically called Santa Maria di Zena) The first news of a Christian church in this place dates back to 1078 ... Later in time, a document from the 1400s mentions the church with the name of "Santa Maria Formicarum" and already mentions the arrival of ants above the temple. ... The church was rebuilt several times: in the fourteenth century, in the nineteenth century, and the one we now see dates back to 1957, rebuilt in the same place based on a design by the architect. Gaetano Marchetti, after the devastation of the last war. (Source: https://www.montedelleformiche.it/santuario-monte-delle-formiche)

Absolutely place to visit and enjoy through its beautiful natural scenery that surrounds this wonder.

The Villaggio della Salute Più is a grandiose natural amphitheater nestled between the hills and gullies of the Sillaro Valley in the Municipality of Castel San Pietro Terme (BO) which integrates several lakes where many activities take place. The territory is covered by the environmental protection of the European Union for biodiversity. It has an area of 60,739 hectares (607 Km2) and includes a total of 302 Km of routes between trekking and mountain biking. In the Villaggio della Salute there are the Terme del Agriturismo del Villaggio which are open all year round and set in an extraordinary environmental context. The Baths have an agreement with the National Health Service for the treatment of rheumato-arthropathic forms. An innovative wood and glass structure set in the greenery houses a sulphate-calcium thermal pool with an external edge, a 38 ° C thermal pool, snow slush, sauna, Turkish bath, jet spa. At this mega structure, in addition to the spa, there are many services, from the water park, to dozens of swimming pools of various types with hundreds of umbrellas for relaxing in the sun, restaurants, bars, a wonderful parking area for campers, caravans and tents, beach volleyball, soccer field, ebike mtb rental and many initiatives. All truly integrated into the splendid scenery of this place born in the heart of the Sillaro River.

Excellent for replenishing water after the tiring climb