Via Romagna in 10 days

The adventure begins with a pleasant, flat route. You ride alongside the Comacchio lagoons in the heart of the Po Delta natural park, shaped by salt pans and brackish water basins that host a wide variety of birdlife, above all pink flamingos. Continuing, the route reaches the Campotto oasis. Here, we recommend visiting the Argenta Valley museum, an eco-museum, and Environmental Education Centre for the Emilia-Romagna region.

Another extremely easy, flat stage, initially winding through the Campotto oasis in the Po Delta regional park. You ride along quiet roads branching between canals, pools of water and dense reed beds, where you can admire the area’s characteristic vegetation and birdlife. You then arrive in Imola, known worldwide for its race circuit and the monument dedicated to Ayrton Senna. It is worth getting lost in the narrow streets of the historic centre to admire elegant noble palaces and the Rocca Sforzesca fortress, dating back to the 13th century.

Today marks the move into inland Romagna, and the climbing begins. The first ascent leads to Riolo Terme, an ancient spa town already famous in Roman times for the therapeutic properties of its waters. Beyond the baths, you can explore the historic centre, dominated by the imposing Rocca di Riolo fortress, dating back to the 14th century. The route then continues to Brisighella, climbing once again. The effort is rewarded by this small village, listed among Italy’s most beautiful villages and renowned for excellent olive oil and wine. Wander through the historic centre and along the ancient Via degli Asini, used in medieval times as shelter for the animals of merchants travelling with donkey-drawn carts. After visiting the Pieve del Thò, you descend to Faenza for a well-earned rest.

Another hill-focused day in the Forlì hinterland begins with the climb to Castrocaro Terme. A break in this ancient spa town of Etruscan origin is a true tonic if you are looking for relaxation and wellbeing. Like many medieval towns, Castrocaro features a fortress and several buildings once used for defensive purposes, including the Girone, the Rocca and the Cannoniere. The route then climbs again towards Bertinoro, after a few kilometres of rolling terrain. In Bertinoro you can catch your breath, only to lose it again as soon as you step into the main square: the view across the plains, stretching all the way to the sea, is truly breathtaking.

Today you ride through the lush valleys of the Forlì hinterland, famous for vineyards and olive groves. Highlights include fortifications built on spurs of Spungone rock, typical of this area, including the Rocca di Meldola and Rocca delle Caminate. Climbing remains part of the day and becomes most noticeable on the stretch from Meldola to Predappio, one of the best-known ascents in the area. A final push brings you to Santa Sofia, in the heart of the stunning Casentinesi forest national park. If you still have time and energy, we recommend exploring the park on foot, or by bike if you are travelling with an MTB or gravel bike.

The day begins with a climb, but it is the only one. Once most of the stage’s elevation gain is behind you, you reach Bagno di Romagna, famous for thermal waters that emerge at a natural temperature of 45°C. A stop at the baths can be a well-earned reward. The route then continues gently towards Sarsina, with no further climbs. Here, you can stop at the Marmitte dei giganti park, where huge rock cavities carved by water over millennia create a striking landscape. Local legend says they were cooking pots (marmitte, in Italian) used by giants (giganti) to warm their food. Speaking of food, in Sarsina we recommend trying local specialities such as passatelli (fresh homemade pasta), salsiccia matta (pork sausage) and bustrengo (traditional cake with raisins and nuts).

Today’s stage takes you through the Montefeltro hills in the Rimini hinterland. It begins with the ascent to Sant’Agata Feltria, where you can admire the Rocca Malatestiana and the Angelo Mariani theatre, one of the oldest theatres in Italy, built entirely in wood. Next comes Pennabilli, at the foot of Monte Carpegna, named after the union of its two ancient castles, once belonging to rival families: the Penna and the Billi. Here you can visit the home of poet Tonino Guerra and admire his artworks as you stroll through the centre. The route then climbs towards San Leo, perched on a rocky spur and dominated by its imposing fortress, before reaching Verucchio for a well-earned recovery. If you want to taste something truly local, the olive oil and regional meats are excellent here.

The day’s highlight is Montescudo, in the Conca River Valley. You reach it after rolling terrain and a demanding climb. This is former Malatesta territory, rich in vineyards and olive groves. As in many Malatesta towns, you will find a fortress once used to defend the city of Rimini. Historical interest also includes the museum of the Eastern Gothic Line, housed next to what was once a parish church and is now the Church of Peace. Montescudo’s local speciality is potatoes (a festival is held on the second Sunday in August), an excellent source of carbohydrates for the final kilometres to Coriano, your finish for the day. Here you can visit the museum dedicated to Marco Simoncelli, the beloved local MotoGP champion.

A short stage, but demanding, with elevation gain concentrated over a few kilometres. The first major climb leads to Montefiore Conca, a Malatesta medieval village surrounded by greenery and dominated by its castle, once built to defend the territory, and used as a summer residence. The route then continues into the Marche region towards Tavoleto, once under the Duchy of Urbino. We recommend visiting the Church of San Lorenzo and the nearby castle. You then return to Romagna for the stage finish in Mondaino, where you can taste the excellent local formaggio di fossa (matured local cheese).

The final day begins with a descent towards Montegridolfo, where we recommend stopping to visit the Malatesta castle. You then tackle the only significant climb of the day to Saleducio, set among the gentle hills of the Valconca. Between 1500 and 1800, the Malatesta built some of the area’s most important defensive and civic buildings here. We recommend visiting Porta Marina and walking through the centre to admire refined medieval-era palaces. The route then continues to San Giovanni in Marignano, with rolling terrain and a well-earned flat finish.