Gradara

Route

From the Riccione seafront, we continue along the dirt trails of the Valconca as far as the ancient Malatesta town of San Clemente. After a short but enjoyable downward stretch on unpaved roads, we pass through Morciano di Romagna before climbing up to the Malatesta Fortress of Montefiore Conca. From here, we ride down the dirt roads of the Ventena Valley before climbing again through the woods to the small village of Piandicastello and continuing over a number of up and down stretches amid the picturesque hills of Tavoleto. We now ride down again into the valley through San Giovanni in Marignano, and then enter the Marches region, through vineyards and cultivated fields, and reach Gradara with its medieval castle – the place where, so Dante tells us, the tragic love story of Paolo and Francesca took place. The last few kilometres take us to the green hills of the Monte San Bartolo Regional Park, with beautiful sea views, before returning along the seafront towards Riccione.