A weekend by motorcycle on the forlivese appennines

A tour of the Romagna hinterland for two-wheel enthusiasts to discover landscapes where every kilometre is a joy to the eyes.

The itinerary includes various stops to take a break, to taste the specialities of these areas, such as tortelli alla lastra, or to visit the towns and villages you come across, bend after bend, along the way.

First stage - Rocca delle Caminate

Starting from Forlì and heading for San Martino in Strada on Viale dell'Appennino you will reach, after 11 km, the first stage of the route: Rocca delle Caminate, a hamlet of Meldola where the fortress built in the Middle Ages is located: a defensive bastion that today houses the Tecnopolo, a place for university research and business innovation.

The fortress can be visited on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and has two tourist routes: one outside the walls dedicated to its origins and the other inside the building telling the story of the 20th century.

Second stage - Civitella di Romagna - Cusercoli

From Rocca delle Caminate descend along the SP 126 to Meldola, turn right and take the SP 4 to Cusercoli, a hamlet of the Civitella di Romagna municipality.

This small medieval village in the Forlì Apennines is part of the Romagna castles and fortresses circuit thanks to its castle, which can be visited every 2nd and 4th weekend of the month and during village festivals and fairs.

Third stage - Galeata

From Cusercoli, continuing for 11 km along the SP 4 road, you will come to Galeata, a village dominated by a mighty cliff, which holds ancient origins. Already inhabited in prehistoric times, Galeata has two important archaeological sites: the first is located a few kilometres from the town centre and has brought to light a sumptuous private villa from the 5th-6th centuries, believed to be the residence of the Goth king Theodoric; the the second, the ancient town of Mevaniola, whose theatre and thermal baths can be admired, dates back to Roman times and is located in Pianetto (in the direction of Santa Sofia). Still in Pianetto, the 'Mons. D. Mambrini' civic archaeological museum, founded in the early 20th century and recently refurbished in the evocative Convent of the Minor Fathers, is well worth a visit.

Fourth Stage - Santa Sofia - Corniolo

Continuing along the Sp 4 for a further 6 km, you will come across Santa Sofia.

Entering the village, cross the bridge and continue along the main road for 13 km towards Corniolo, an antique village of stone houses with an ancient atmosphere, well worth a visit. In particular, it is worth a visit to the Church of S. Pietro, dating back to around 1100, containing works of art of great value, including a bas-relief dating back to 1500 from the workshop of Giovanni della Robbia, a sculptor and ceramist of the Florentine Renaissance.

Not far away, in Via della Madonna, is the Oratory of the Madonna delle Grazie, which houses a 15th-century fresco depicting the Madonna and Child.

3 km away, following the directions for Premilcuore, at an altitude of 700 m above sea level, is the Valbonella Botanical Garden: a 2-hectare protected area that reproduces the natural environments of Romagna's Apennines, with 3 themed nature trails inside, dedicated respectively to the forest, the stream and the open spaces.

Fifth stage - Premilcuore

After this small stop in the midst of nature, you can set off again towards Premilcuore, travelling for 3.1 km along Via di Fiumicello, which, immersed in the foliage of the trees, then opens out onto the valley, offering marvelous scenery.

Along the way, it is possible to take a short break in one of the many equipped rest areas encountered, such as "Tracollina", where there are also barbecue stations.

Sixth stage - Muraglione Pass

Keeping to Via Fiumicello, cross the hamlet of Fiumicello and arrive at the junction with the SS 9 ter provincial road.

Then turn left to Valico Tre Faggi, intersect the SS 67 road, immediately turn right again and reach the next stage: Passo del Muraglione.

This renowned pass in the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines, a destination and mecca for every biker, owes its name to a massive 19th century wall, built to protect travellers from the strong winds that could surprise them in the Apennines during their journeys.

Here is where people gather to rest and refresh, interweaving stories, experiences and new friendships.

Seventh stage - Mount Busca and volcano

From the Muraglione Pass, ride for further 3.2 km along SS 67 on the Romagna side, passing through Bocconi, where the Brusia waterfall can be admired. Turn left onto via Monte Busca for 5.3 km until you reach a clearing where you can park. Here, behind the ruined building, is where our destination lies: Monte Busca and its 'volcano', a methane burning fountain that has been active since before the 16th century.

The mountain dominates the entire valley and the view is truly spectacular.

Eighth stage - Tredozio

From the summit of Monte Busca the route descends towards Tredozio and follows the Sp 86 road towards Lago di Ponte, which lies just above Tredozio on the Tramazzo stream. Situated in one of the most natural and path-rich areas of the Casentino Forests National Park, it was artificially created in 1962 and today is perfectly integrated into the natural landscape.

Drive back along the Sp 86 towards Tredozio.

Ninth stage - Modigliana

Back on the SP 86 towards Tredozio, take the SP 20 for about 10 km towards Modigliana, a village of ancient origin in the hills of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines.

Here you can admire the Fortress of the Counts Guidi, dating back to the 12th/13th century and still well preserved both in its highest structures, the towers, and in part of the walls made of river stones.

A weekend by motorcycle on the forlivese appennines

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