EN
IT
STRADE DI MARCA 2026
The journey (which can obviously be done in either direction) begins in Civitanova Marche, a vibrant coastal city known for its beaches, marina, and the murals of Giulio Vesprini's "Vedo a colori" urban art project, which expresses its maritime soul. Moving south along the Adriatic Cycle Route, you'll encounter Grottammare, with its elegant marinas and perched medieval village overlooking the coast with spectacular sea views, before reaching San Benedetto del Tronto, the historic capital of the Riviera delle Palme, which features a splendid cycle path. The city is also an important fishing port, the heart of the local maritime tradition. Leaving the coast, the route enters the hills of Marca Fermana. You'll pass through Grottazzolina, overlooking the silhouette of the Sibillini Mountains, and Magliano di Tenna, nestled among its medieval streets, before reaching Montegranaro, which its shoemakers have transformed into a renowned international footwear hub. Entering the Macerata region, the route climbs toward Corridonia, linked to the memory of Filippo Corridoni, and continues to Petriolo, along dirt roads immersed in the countryside, ideal for those who love adventure on two wheels. The route passes Montegiorgio—guardian of the tradition of the Mediterranean Diet, with its hamlets of Alteta and Cerreto—and gains altitude toward Penna San Giovanni, a panoramic balcony between the mountains and the Adriatic Sea. From the Sibillini Mountains to the Metauro lands, the route penetrates the mountainous heart of the region, reaching the turquoise mirror of Lake Fiastra. In the Sibillini Mountains, the dirt roads offer a unique cycling experience, crossing summer pastures in a nearly uninhabited area, where pedaling offers an extraordinary sense of isolation, immersed in pristine nature. From this wild landscape, the route descends to Tolentino, passing the Abbey of Chiaravalle di Fiastra, before climbing back up toward San Severino Marche, famous for its monumental elliptical piazza. From here, you reach the village of Elcito, a charming stone outpost known as the Tibet of the Marche. The descent passes Appignano, with its historic terracotta workshops, and Montefano, which welcomes travelers with a remarkable wooden theater and its Cycle Museum. You then pedal toward Apiro, nestled at the foot of Mount San Vicino, until you reach the Genga area, where the spectacular underground Frasassi Caves invite you to a relaxing break. The journey continues north, crossing the ancient Via Flaminia at Fossombrone, a Roman city rich in history, dominated by the Corte Alta and famous for the Giants' Pots on the Metauro River. The river takes cyclists through Colli al Metauro, a land of olive groves and vineyards whose rolling hills seem ideal for cycling, then passing Mombaroccio, a village enclosed within intact medieval walls (one of the best preserved in the Pesaro hinterland), and Cartoceto, another charming town and a leading producer of DOP olive oil. Returning along the coast, the sea meets Fano, Vitruvius's ancient Fanum Fortunae, whose historic center—hosting a truly incredible number of events throughout the year—is worth a stroll. The city of Italy's oldest Carnival is then honored with a tasting of Moretta, the traditional fishermen's hot drink made with coffee and liqueurs. Heading uphill, you pass through San Costanzo, offering a change of pace between the coast and the hills, before descending to Senigallia, famous for its Velvet Beach: a wide sandy shoreline that runs along the seafront to the historic center, where the Rocca Roveresca and Piazza del Duca bear witness to its Renaissance past. The route continues past Montemarciano, a treasure trove of authenticity offering a change of scenery between the coast and the countryside, and Monsano, a model village for environmental sustainability recognized by the Covenant of Mayors. The finale is a scenic crescendo. You pass through the capital, Ancona, with the Conero promontory and the bay of Portonovo, where the white cliffs plunge into the Adriatic Sea. The route winds through the narrow streets of the city center, overlooking the sea, offering spectacular views. Next, you reach Numana, the pearl of the Riviera, with its white pebbles and its historic center perched on the promontory. Finally, returning to the Macerata region, you pass Potenza Picena, amidst summer fields of sunflowers, and Morrovalle, a charming village nestled around its ancient Franciscan convent, before completing the loop along the Civitanova Marche seafront. A thrilling loop for an extraordinary tour of an extraordinary region.
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TECHNICAL INFORMATION
LENGTH: 781
DIFFICULTY: Difficile
