There are days when the road calls, not just any road, but a trail rich with history and filled with the intense scent of nature. We invite you to join us on an exciting loop excursion. Prepare your mountain bikes: ahead of us lie three and a half hours of adventure, with a gentle elevation gain of about 110 metres. It’s an easy route, but endlessly full of surprises.
Where do we start?
Our journey begins in Ponte Cappuccini, a small hamlet along the Montefeltresca provincial road. We leave our cars in the parking area near the Visitor Centre and, fueled by the thrill that only the start of a new path can bring, we hop on our bikes. After a short stretch on the sidewalk, we take the dirt road that marks the true beginning of our exploration. The wheels start crunching over earth and gravel; we cross the small stream of the Apsa River, and the road begins to climb gently, gifting us the first breath of countryside.
We pedal along ancient lanes and mule tracks, true natural tunnels framed by hedges smelling of woodland: the white blossoms of hawthorn, the red berries of dog rose, the intoxicating fragrance of honeysuckle. Reaching the paved road, we make a quick turn into the rural core of Ca’ Mancino, ready to enjoy a fun dirt descent. We pass a tiny creek and pause for a moment to breathe deeply: the refreshing aroma of water mint surrounds us!
The Medieval Magic of Pietrarubbia Awaits
After a stretch that makes us feel like real bikers, an old path, almost swallowed by vegetation, offers a charming shortcut before leading us back onto the road climbing toward the highlight of our loop: the enchanting medieval village of Pietrarubbia. Its name, derived from Petra Rubea, immediately reveals its essence: a reddish rock crowned by the majestic tower of the castle. We leave our bikes for a well-earned break and wander through this “eagle’s nest” that once served as a stronghold of the Montefeltro family. The main tower, still intact, stands watchful over the valley. We explore the ancient Church of San Silvestro, the ceramics museum, and admire the metal sculptures, including works by the renowned Arnaldo Pomodoro. A place that feeds our thirst for history and art before we continue our journey.
The Devil’s Finger and the Ancient Via Romea
Leaving the village behind, our adventure leads us uphill in the shade, following CAI trail 108. As the path opens up, the views become increasingly vast, until the silhouettes of Sasso Simone and Simoncello appear on the horizon.
But our attention is captured by a striking rock formation on the right: Pietrafagnana, also known as Il Ditone, the “Big Finger”. It resembles a perfect castle with its tower, yet it is the natural erosion of the rock that has sculpted the so-called “Devil’s Finger”, a monolith surrounded by stories and legends. If we still have energy, we can leave our bikes for a moment and climb among the rocks to enjoy a spectacular 360° panorama: Pietrarubbia to the east, the Catria–Nerone ridge to the south, and even the outlines of San Marino to the northeast. Among the cracks in the rock we find wild thyme and helichrysum, filling the air with a sweet scent of licorice.
A Finale Painted in Colors
The last part of the route is a triumph of hues. We cross the provincial road and take the dirt track climbing toward Montale. Here we ride across the geological formation known as the Varicolored Clays: after plowing, the earth lights up in shades of red, green, and grey. With a bit of luck, we might spot the curious “Devil’s Bowls”, natural Calcite formations offered by the land.
At the fork, we turn right onto CAI trail 107. This final descent is no ordinary path: we are riding along a stretch of the ancient Via Romea, the historic pilgrimage route connecting Rimini to Sansepolcro. Feeling part of this centuries-old history, as we pedal where generations of travelers once walked, is the perfect finale to our adventure.
Back on the paved road, we turn right near the Convent of San Silvestro, and within minutes we’re once again in Ponte Cappuccini.
Tired yet revived, our legs have covered kilometres, but our eyes and minds have travelled through centuries of history and a landscape of incomparable beauty.
