Paths of Freedom

A walk through the memory of the Resistance

The Paths of Freedom are much more than just a hike: they are a collective civic appointment that brings hundreds of people to the slopes of Monte Morello every spring. This mountain range overlooks the town of Sesto Fiorentino, in the Metropolitan City of Florence, Tuscany. The event is held in honor of the Liberation Day anniversary and follows the paths that served as communication routes for partisans during the Liberation War between 1943 and 1944.

Four routes to the Sella degli Scollini

The heart of the event is the convergence: from four different starting points at the foot of Monte Morello, groups of hikers set off along routes of varying length and difficulty, all heading toward the Sella degli Scollini, the site of the most violent clashes on these mountains during the Resistance. The usual meeting points are:

• Montorsoli Station — approximately 6 hours round trip;
• SMS Serpiolle — approximately 6 hours round trip;
• Circolo Arci Fontebuona — the longest route, approximately 7 hours round trip;
• Circolo Arci Quinto Alto — approximately 5 hours, also suitable for families with children (minimum recommended age 10).

The family-friendly route proposed by CAI Sesto Fiorentino, starting from the Casa del Popolo in Quinto Alto, covers about 10 kilometers with a 500-meter elevation gain and is rated E (hiking difficulty). It passes through symbolic sites such as the Castellina, Villa di Carmignanello, and the plaque dedicated to Pietro Quinteri.

The final gathering at Sella degli Scollini

All groups reunite in the early afternoon at the Sella degli Scollini, where a commemorative ceremony takes place around 1:30 PM. The event includes greetings from local authorities, speeches by the ANPI, and stories dedicated to the memory of the Resistance, with a special focus on the role of female partisans. It is the civic heart of the day, where the physical effort of the hike transforms into a shared ritual of remembrance.

A free event between nature and civic duty

The Paths of Freedom are organized by the Circolo Ricreativo Pian di San Bartolo together with the Pro Loco of Sesto, the CAI Sesto Fiorentino, and numerous local clubs and associations, in collaboration with the ANPI. Participation is free, but registration is mandatory. The event combines a passion for hiking on Monte Morello with the value of historical memory, in a tradition now firmly established for Sesto Fiorentino and the entire Florentine area.