Beautiful cycling route in Emilia-Romagna

Many cyclists will not immediately call Emilia-Romagna their favorite destination. However, this region has plenty of cycling fun to offer; it was indeed Marco Pantani’s training ground. Emilia Romagna is truly a paradise for cyclists. Traffic-free asphalt roads are interspersed with beautiful gravel paths. Unlike, for example Tuscany There are still few foreign tourists and you really feel like you are in Italy. Local expert and organizer of cycling trips to Emilia Romagna, Johan van der Heijden will take you on a beautiful cycling route in Emilia-Romagna and give you some valuable tips. Cycling in Emilia-Romagna is something everyone should do.

Text and photos: Johan van der Heijden

Start in Faenza

This cycling route in Emilia Romagna starts in Faenza. The city is famous for its colorful ceramics and is located near two beautiful squares: Piazza del Popolo and Piazza della Libertà. After a delicious cappuccino and cornetto, we drive out of the city and head into the Apennines. 

After more than ten kilometers and a steep climb, we reach the castle of Monte Poggiolo. Here begins a beautiful gravel path of 5 kilometers over a ridge. Both on the left and right you have the most beautiful views, so don't forget to stop from time to time. 

Variety between paved and unpaved

After this stretch there is a few kilometers of asphalt before you have to conquer the gravel climb of over 6 kilometers to the “Eromo di Monte Paolo”. The “eromo” is the church on the hilltop in honor of the monk of Monte Paolo. It is a beautiful climb that starts with a very nice gravel section through the forest. Only the last two kilometers are steep and treacherous. In the end you reach the “Eromo di Monte Paolo” and at the Eromo there is a plaque with a prayer for the cyclist (preghiera del ciclista), in which the Lord is asked to protect the cyclist on his travels.

Coming to power

There is also a fountain to fill your water bottle. After visiting the cave of the hermit of Monte Paolo, we descend to Dovadola. A beautiful place to stop and have some food. After Davadola, the climb up Monte Mirabello begins, with the last 3 kilometers being really tough. At the top, we arrive in Predappio Alta, which is said to have the longest bruschetta in the world. 

Searching for the little general

We descend to Predappio, the birthplace of Benito Mussolini. He also eventually had a tomb here, but we’ll leave that aside. We do drive to Benito Mussolini’s summer house, called Rocca delle Camminate. We have to overcome a tough climb there with no less than 13 ’tornante’ or hairpin bends. The summer house played a prominent role in the Second World War and many partisans were held captive here. It has now been restored and is used by the University of Bologna. 

Back down

After visiting the Rocca, we descend to Meldola and stop there for a picnic on Piazza Felice Orsini. By now we have reached the foot of the Apennines again. After our stop, we drive on to Fratta Terme, a thermal spa where the glory days of the lira era still linger.

We still have one last climb to Bertinoro ahead of us. This challenging climb is also included in the famous granfondo ‘Nove Colli’. This steep climb takes us to the central square of Bertinoro, Piazza della Liberta. From there, we have a fantastic view over the flat part of Emilia Romagna. We can park our bikes at the “Colonna della Anella”. A column with twelve rings, each belonging to a family. The ring of the family to which you tied your horse had to offer hospitality to you. 

Golden location

Bertinoro stands for “must be drink in gold”. The wine here is so good that it has to be drunk from golden goblets. At least that’s what they think here. At least we’re enjoying the view for a while. 

Next we descend to Cesena, via a beautiful gravel path. In Cesena we take the train back to Faenza. The train connection between these two places is excellent and for only a small fee you can bring your bike along. 

Route:

Our tips:

• Combine your stay in Emilia Romagna with participation in the Nove Colli. This is one of the oldest and largest granfondos in the world. It takes place every year in late May. Nove Colli Home page | Official Site

• Start the day in Faenza with a caffe or cappuccino with freshly baked cake at Nove100 Caffe on Corso Mazzini 89a. A shop full of books, authentic typewriters, newspapers and art. NOVE100 (nove100faenza.it)

• “Casette Rio del Sol”A tent camp just outside Faenza with fresh juices, fruit, fruit tart and coffee.

• Bruschettaeria Caffè Anni 30, Piazza Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 10, Predappio Alta, Emilia-Romagna. Open from half past four, but who doesn’t want to eat the longest bruschetta in the world?.

• Rocca delle Camminate, Predappio. The summer house of Benito Mussolini, which is currently being restored. It is only open on weekends. They have an interesting English-language video about the history of the house.

• Ca de Be stands for Casa da bere (house to drink). Here they have the best wines, but stop here for a piadina and enjoy the view from the balcony of Bertinoro. 

Train home

The ride ends in Cesena and it is easy to return to Faenza by train. There is a Regional Veloce leaving every hour. Your bike can easily be taken on this train and for a few euros you are back in Faenza.