A bike trip to discover Romagna, among medieval villages, rolling hills and authentic flavors. From Modigliana to Brisighella, crossing the Vena del Gesso up to Casola Valsenio and Riolo Terme, the route offers unforgettable experiences among culture, nature and gastronomy. Between panoramic climbs, dirt roads and tastings of local delicacies, an ideal itinerary for those who love adventures on two wheels.
Our journey begins in Modigliana, a village of Roman origins nestled in the hills of the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines, which in the Middle Ages was a fiefdom of the powerful Conti Guidi family. The village is dominated by the Rocca dedicated to them, also known as the “Roccaccia”, and Piazza Pretorio opens up, one of the most beautiful medieval squares in the province, where it is worth visiting the Don Giovanni Verità Museum and the Silvestro Lega Art Gallery. Wine lovers will not want to miss the opportunity to visit a local winery to taste the local Sangiovese, among the best around; while hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the Sentieri Agrourbani, a network of nine circular routes that start from the center of the village.
Back in the saddle, we follow the SP 49 della "Bicocca", crossing landscapes of vineyards and olive groves. The route has some challenging climbs, but the view repays the effort. After about 12 km, we arrive in Brisighella, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and an Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club. The village, of medieval origin, develops between three chalk pinnacles, on which stand the Rocca Manfrediana, the Clock Tower and the Sanctuary of Monticino.
The climb to the Rocca Manfrediana requires a short effort, with slopes of up to 8%. Inside, the Museum of Man and Chalk tells the story of the special bond between the inhabitants and the mineral protagonist of the territory. Continuing the climb, you arrive at the Clock Tower, from which the view of the village and the gullies of the valley is unmissable. Descending towards the center, a must-see is the Open-Air Museum of Oil, dedicated to local excellence, together with the suggestive Via degli Asini, an ancient elevated road once used by chalk transporters to let their animals rest.
Trekking and walking enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunity to walk a stretch of the Cammino di Sant’Antonio or take a nature hike to the Rifugio Ca’ Carnè, one of the most evocative corners of the entire valley.
Let’s get back on our bikes and continue along the provincial road SP23 towards the Vena del Gesso Regional Park: an extraordinary world, with cavities several kilometers long and over 200 meters deep, full of waterways, tunnels, wells and passages. About 2 km west of Brisighella we find the Grotta Tanaccia, the most famous in the area. The karst complex of Tanaccia, located about 200 m above sea level, has a total development of over 2 km, but the tourist route is reduced to about 500 meters, with a stay underground of about 1 hour.
The last stop of the day, reachable with a constant climb on the SP23 with average gradients of 5-6%, is Casola Valsenio, the southernmost garrison of the Vena del Gesso Romagnola Regional Park, also known as "the town of forgotten herbs and fruits".
We begin the second day with a visit to the Casola Valsenio Herb Garden, an oasis of biodiversity that hosts over 480 species of medicinal and aromatic plants. At the end of the walk, which allows you to rediscover ancient herbal traditions and participate in tastings of herbal teas and artisanal liqueurs, visitors can enjoy a picnic prepared in collaboration with local restaurateurs, who offer typical dishes with fresh and seasonal ingredients. Casola is also famous for its festivals, which enliven the small streets and squares of the village all year round with events dedicated to stories, fables, flowers, herbs and forgotten fruits.
We get back on the bike, descending towards the valley along the SP306. Just before Borgo Rivola we encounter the Grotta del Re Tiberio, another unmissable destination for lovers of underground adventures: it is in fact a natural cavity used since prehistoric times, which can be visited with a guided tour of about 90 minutes.
Continuing, we stop for the last stage in Riolo Terme, a medieval village famous for its thermal waters and the imposing Rocca, which today houses the Museo del Paesaggio dell'Appennino Faentino and an interactive exhibition dedicated to Caterina Sforza.
After two days of nature, history and good food, we have reached the end of this itinerary on two wheels: an ideal route in any period of the year, which with the awakening of spring acquires a truly special charm. This is the season in which the valleys come alive with events and initiatives, such as the Sagra and Palio dell’Uovo, which is held in Tredozio on Easter and Easter Monday, the Festa di Primavera e dei Carri di Pensiero in Casola Valsenio and the Feste Medievali in Brisighella.