Romagna is Italy at its most generous. It is a region that gives freely of its food, its wine, its history and its landscape — and asks in return only that you slow down enough to notice. The Via Romagna Cycling Tour is an invitation to do exactly that: to move through this remarkable territory at the pace of a bicycle, with enough time at each stop to eat well, drink well and talk to the people who have shaped this culture over generations.
A Region That Rides
Romagna has a cycling tradition that runs deep. This is the homeland of Marco Pantani, the region where the Nove Colli — one of Italy's most famous sportives — is contested every spring, and where the hills above Cesenatico and Faenza have been training grounds for professional cyclists for over a century. When you ride through these hills, you are following in extraordinary wheel tracks.
The Via Romagna tour uses roads that locals actually ride: the minor roads through the wine valleys, the old county roads between hilltowns, the flat coastal routes that connect the Riviera's resorts. These are not tourist itineraries dressed up as cycling routes — they are genuine roads with genuine cycling character.
The Route: Coast, Hills and Hilltowns
The tour begins on the Adriatic coast and progressively moves inland through the foothills of the Apennines, returning to the sea for the final stage. Along the way it passes through Brisighella — a jewel of medieval architecture built against a cliff face; Bertinoro, the city of hospitality, where the wine tastes better because of centuries of practice; and the Savio and Bidente valleys, where the Apennines start in earnest and the views become properly dramatic.
Daily distances are in the 60-80 km range, with moderate climbing. The tour is available in both guided and self-guided formats.
Food and Culture Along the Way
Every stage of the Via Romagna has a gastronomic identity. The coast means seafood grilled over pine wood; the hills mean Sangiovese and hand-rolled pasta; the valleys mean porcini mushrooms and chestnut flour in autumn. The tour deliberately routes through the best trattorias and markets in each area, and accommodation is chosen partly for the quality of the breakfast and dinner.
Ready to ride the Via Romagna? Contact us for dates and booking information.