Parco Fluviale del Santerno
The Santerno river carves a green corridor through the hills immediately south of Imola, and the protected parkland along its banks offers easy walking, swimming holes and dramatic limestone gorges that feel a world away from the flatlands of the Po Valley. The park begins less than 3 km from the city centre and is almost entirely unknown to visitors.
Walking and Swimming in the Gorge
The most rewarding section of the park runs between the village of Sassatello and the Molino Rosso locality, where the Santerno cuts through pale limestone cliffs up to 30 metres high. A well-marked trail follows the river for approximately 8 km, crossing wooden footbridges and passing through mixed oak and hornbeam woodland that turns spectacular shades of orange and gold in October.
In July and August local families colonise the gravel beaches at Molino Rosso for swimming — the water is clear, cold and perfectly safe, and there is a small bar selling cold drinks and sandwiches that operates through the summer months. Bring water shoes as the riverbed is rocky.
Cycling and Birdwatching
A dedicated cycling path follows a former railway bed from the southern edge of Imola into the park, making it possible to reach the gorge from the city centre in under 20 minutes on a bike. Rental bikes are available from several shops on Via Emilia at around €12 per day.
The river corridor is an important migration route for raptors in spring and autumn — local birdwatchers regularly record ospreys, black kites and short-toed snake eagles along the Santerno valley between March and May. Bring binoculars if you have them.
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