This last stage is a journey through Brescia's history that leads straight to the Capitoline Temple and the striking Museum complex of Santa Giulia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (well worth a visit). But not before passing through the towns of Gussago, Cellatica, Concesio and Collebeato, enjoying enchanting views of Valle di Mompiano and overlooking Monte Maddalena, the ‘mountain of the Brescians’ and green lung of the city.

The first ascent along Sentiero delle Croci (trail of the Crosses) allows you to admire, on the left, the Church of San Rocco, a small gem which deserves a visit. You then proceed, taking the trail called Sentiero 3V, toward the Shrine of Madonna della Stella and then descend toward Collebeato. Along the descent it is possible to make a detour to reach the viewpoint where the Giant Bench is located. Crossing the historic centre of Collebeato, you reach the former Benedictine Monastery of Santo Stefano, dating back to the 15th century. A place that deserves to be brought back to life, hopefully also thanks to the contribution of the wayfarers. From here you enter Parco delle Colline and reach Villaggio Prealpino and its church of Santa Giulia, the final stage of the route called Cammino di Santa Giulia. The trail continues around the hill of San Giuseppe and then enters Valle di Mompiano to reach its mountain hut. From here, a steep but short climb on Monte Maddalena Trail No. 10 leads to Cascina Margherita. A pause and you are off again, downhill on Trail No. 7 toward the Church of San Gottardo. From here more forest, until you reach a small parking lot where the dirt road turns into old cobblestones to reach the street called Via Pusterla, where you approach the last short and beautiful climb along Strada del Soccorso, an ancient trail carved into the living rock on the slopes of the Cidneo Hill, used in the past by soldiers to exit and enter Brescia’s Castle. It will be the route which will lead you inside the fortress, called the Falcon of Italy, a medieval beauty. From there, descend to the city centre, towards the Museum Complex of Santa Giulia UNESCO World Heritage Site and Capitoline Temple, the final destinations of Via delle Sorelle.

POIs: San Rocco Church, Madonna della Stella Shrine, Santo Stefano Monastery, Brescia Castle, Santa Giulia Museum Complex (UNESCO Heritage), Capitoline Temple

Natural POIs: Valle di Mompiano, Monte Maddalena, Parco delle Colline

Municipalities crossed: Gussago, Concesio, Cellatica, Collebeato, Brescia

ROUTES CROSSED: Cammino di Santa Giulia, Sentiero 3V

Strada del Soccorso Variant. Strada del Soccorso is open from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (daylight saving time) - 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (standard time). Alternatively, to reach the castle it is necessary to take the road that from the street called Via Pusterla reaches Via Tito Speri and Montagnola.

Monte Maddalena Variant. For those who are not up to taking trail number 10 from Valle di Mompiano to Monte Maddalena, an alternative route has been designed. It is marked as ‘Variante Bassa’ (low variant). Full details here.