{"id":11238,"date":"2023-03-23T17:14:01","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T16:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=11238"},"modified":"2023-03-23T17:14:01","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T16:14:01","slug":"beautiful-cycle-route-in-emilia-romagna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/mooie-fietsroute-in-emilia-romagna","title":{"rendered":"Beautiful cycling route in Emilia-Romagna"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u2019s training ground. Emilia Romagna is truly a paradise for cyclists. Traffic-free asphalt roads are interspersed with beautiful gravel paths. Unlike, for example Tuscany<\/a> 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<\/a>, 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Text and photos: Johan van der Heijden<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Casette Rio del Sol<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Start in Faenza<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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 Libert\u00e0. After a delicious cappuccino and cornetto, we drive out of the city and head into the Apennines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View from Monte Poggiolo<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Variety between paved and unpaved<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After this stretch there is a few kilometers of asphalt before you have to conquer the gravel climb of over 6 kilometers to the \u201cEromo di Monte Paolo\u201d. The \u201ceromo\u201d 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 \u201cEromo di Monte Paolo\u201d 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Coming to power<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The longest bruschetta in the world at Caffe Anni 30<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Searching for the little general<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We descend to Predappio, the birthplace of Benito Mussolini. He also eventually had a tomb here, but we\u2019ll leave that aside. We do drive to Benito Mussolini\u2019s summer house, called Rocca delle Camminate. We have to overcome a tough climb there with no less than 13 \u2019tornante\u2019 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rocca della Caminate \u2013 Mussolini's summer house<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Back down<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We still have one last climb to Bertinoro ahead of us. This challenging climb is also included in the famous granfondo \u2018Nove Colli\u2019. 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 \u201cColonna della Anella\u201d. 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bertinoro, Piazza della Liberta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Golden location<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bertinoro stands for \u201cmust be drink in gold\u201d. The wine here is so good that it has to be drunk from golden goblets. At least that\u2019s what they think here. At least we\u2019re enjoying the view for a while. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Route:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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