Via Romagna in 6 days

With no elevation gain, this opening stage follows the Comacchio lagoons, deep inside the Po Delta natural park. You ride at water level for several kilometres through local salt pans, a natural habitat for pink flamingos, before reaching another protected area: the Campotto oasis. Here, you can stop at the Argenta Valley museum, an eco-museum, and Environmental Education Centre for the Emilia-Romagna region. The day ends in Imola, where you can visit the Rocca Sforzesca fortress and the monument dedicated to Ayrton Senna.

From here onwards, Romagna reveals itself through its inland hills and the climbing begins. The extra effort is rewarded with some of the region’s most distinctive villages, including Riolo, with its fortress, and Brisighella, listed among Italy’s most beautiful villages. We recommend a visit to the Clock Tower and a detour into the Vena del Gesso regional park, where you can explore the Tanaccia Cave: an underground route of around 2 km, with 500 metres accessible from April to October. Leaving Brisighella behind, the route leads into the elegant town of Faenza and then on to Castrocaro Terme for the stage finish.

A climbing-focused day featuring some of the most iconic roads in Romagna’s cycling tradition, with Bertinoro leading the way. Here you can stop in the main square and take in a magnificent view across the plains and out to sea — the panorama that earned the village its nickname, the “Balcony of Romagna.” Continuing towards Predappio, the route winds through valleys rich in vineyards and olive groves, passing fortifications built on spurs of Spungone rock, typical of this area, including the Rocca di Meldola and Rocca delle Caminate. One final effort over the Carnaio Pass brings you to Bagno di Romagna, your finish for the day.

Elevation gain is again part of the plan, but you have just over 50 km to reach the day’s destination. Along the way, the route reveals hidden corners of Romagna, including Sarsina, gateway to the upper Savio valley. 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. Next comes Sant’Agata Feltria, in the Montefeltro hills, where you can visit the Rocca Fregoso (also known as the Rocca delle Fiabe) before reaching Pennabilli for the stage finish

A day dedicated to two of the most celebrated villages in inland Romagna. It begins with the climb to San Leo, an ancient village perched on a rocky spur in the Marecchia valley, once protected by massive walls and still dominated by its fortress. A walk through the historic centre is highly recommended. Next comes Verucchio, a medieval village central to the history of the Malatesta family. A visit to the Rocca Malatestiana is a must before returning to the saddle and riding on to Montescudo for a well-earned rest.

You set off from the heart of the Rimini hinterland, once ruled by the Malatesta family. You will see it in Montefiore Conca, where you can stop at the Rocca Malatestiana before briefly crossing into the Marche region at Tavoleto, in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, once under the Duchy of Urbino. Medieval walls and Tavoleto Castle still bear witness to that era. The route then returns to Romagna for a stop in Mondaino, known for its excellent “formaggio di fossa” (mature cheese). You are back in Malatesta territory, as you will notice again in Saleducio, before reaching San Giovanni in Marignano, the destination of this final day.