Riding in north-east Italy: four areas from Valdobbiadene to Bologna
Bologna has 62 kilometres of arcades, and the riding is in the hills behind.
People know the area between Veneto and Emilia for its cities. We show four areas with offers: the Prosecco hills near Valdobbiadene, Verona, Modena and the hills around Bologna with the Reno valley near Vergato. For each we say what the source writes about the place, who the ride suits and what to watch for.
The Prosecco hills near Valdobbiadene
The hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene lie in north-east Italy and have been a World Heritage Site since 2019. The area covers 9,191 hectares. According to UNESCO, hogback hills, the ciglioni, which are small vine plots on narrow grassy terraces, forests, small villages and farmland shape the picture. Since the 17th century the ciglioni have created a chequerboard of vine rows. In the 19th century the bellussera training method was added.
Who it suits. Riders who want a short ride in wine country.
What to watch. The terrain. UNESCO names steep slopes, and the provider says how steep the ride's paths are.
- Confirmed: location, World Heritage 2019, 9,191 hectares, hogback hills, ciglioni, forests, villages, chequerboard since the 17th century, bellussera in the 19th century (UNESCO).
- From the provider: starting point, paths, level, group, tasting.
- Clarify before booking: whether the ride runs through the vines, along the forest edge or on tracks.
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Verona
Verona lies at the foot of the Lessini Mountains on the Adige. The town arose between the 4th and 3rd century BCE and became a Roman municipium in the 1st century BCE. It has been a World Heritage Site since 2000. Among the Roman remains are the theatre and the arena. The offers name Verona as the place, and the provider gives the starting point. Both name an Amarone tasting.
Who it suits. Travellers who combine a city visit with half a day in the country and like wine.
What to watch. The share. With a ride that includes a tasting it is open how much of it is spent in the saddle.
- Confirmed: location at the foot of the Lessini Mountains on the Adige, founding, Roman municipium, World Heritage 2000, theatre, arena (UNESCO).
- From the provider: starting point, route, winery, schedule.
- Clarify before booking: how many hours are spent in the saddle and where the start is.
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Modena
Modena is known for its cathedral. The cathedral was begun in 1099 and is, according to UNESCO, a supreme example of early Romanesque art. The Ghirlandina tower was completed in 1319, and the Piazza Grande lies on the Via Emilia. The complex has been a World Heritage Site since 1997. You do not ride in the city. The offers name the Apennines near Modena, one of them with an aperitif.
Who it suits. Travellers with little time who want to add a short ride to a visit to Modena.
What to watch. The expectation. The cathedral stands in the city, and the rides begin in the hill country.
- Confirmed: cathedral from 1099, tower completed 1319, Piazza Grande on the Via Emilia, World Heritage 1997 (UNESCO).
- From the provider: starting point, route, level, aperitif.
- Clarify before booking: how far the start is from Modena.
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Bologna and the Reno valley
According to UNESCO, Bologna has 62 kilometres of arcades. Twelve of them have been World Heritage since 2021. Their rules go back to the statute of 1288. The offers lead out of the city. Near Vergato in the Reno valley there are several rides, including a panoramic ride in the Reno valley, one through the Emilian hills and one with lunch on a farm.
Who it suits. Travellers who want to combine city and country, and riders who look for a ride with a view.
What to watch. The journey. Vergato is not in the city, so ask about the meeting point and the route.
- Confirmed: 62 kilometres of arcades, twelve parts as World Heritage, inscription 2021, statute of 1288 (UNESCO).
- From the provider: hills, Reno valley, meeting point, lunch.
- Clarify before booking: where the ride begins, how far it is from Bologna and how long the riding lasts.
Matching offers
At GetYourGuide
At Viator
Questions before booking
- Where is the meeting point and how far is the journey?
- Which riding level and weight limit apply?
- How long is actually spent riding, and how long eating or tasting?
- How steep and how long are the paths?
- How large is the group and how many guides accompany it?
- What happens in heat or rain?
- What is included in the offer and what is not?
What we could not confirm
For none of the four areas did we find climate values (temperature, rain), elevations of the rides or riding rules. UNESCO describes landscape and cities, not riding. Only the providers say whether the rides run through the landscape described. We read no source on the Reno valley and the Apennines near Modena. Rides in other areas (Friuli, South Tyrol, Lake Garda, Lake Como) are not part of these four.
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene, whc.unesco.org/en/list/1571/
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre, The Porticoes of Bologna, whc.unesco.org/en/list/1650/
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre, City of Verona, whc.unesco.org/en/list/797/
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena, whc.unesco.org/en/list/827/
- Offers: GetYourGuide and Viator, as of 11 October 2026