Alte Marche is a rich land that will surprise you: pristine nature, places full of history and mystery, unique food and wine traditions. A perfect territory to be discovered slowly, by bike.
Traveling along Apenninic Cycle Route Alte Marche you will have the opportunity to get to know this area with a circular itinerary of 200km and approximately 3,200m D+, which touches 9 municipalities: Acqualagna, Cagli, Piobbico, Apecchio, Cantiano, Sassoferrato, Arcevia, Serra Sant’Abbondio and Frontone. You ride on small mountain roads, far away from traffic. The CAAM route is very well marked, and in each town crossed there is an e-bike charging station with a column for small repairs.
We cycled the route in 3 days. Here below you will find the complete route and our travel tips. Have fun!
HOW TO GET THERE
I arrived in Acqualagna by bike from home, but if you arrive by train the most convenient station is Fano (which is 41km away with 250D+). If you don’t feel like cycling, contact the guys at Marche and Bike who can organize the transfer, or rent you a bike. In Acqualagna, the truffle capital, it’s worth visiting the interesting Truffle Museum, and the near by Enrico Mattei Birthplace (founder and President of Eni).
We had dinner and stayed overnight at beautiful Ca’ le Suore, a farmhouse surrounded by nature on the slopes of Monte Nerone… but if you are on a bike it will be a bit of a struggle to reach it.
DAY 1: FURLO/CANTIANO – 76km, 1.390m D+
The Appenninic Cycle Rout Alte Marche (CAAM) officially starts from the picturesque Gola del Furlo, which you cannot miss. Up to the lively cultural center of Cagli, whose Roman origins are still visible, you cycle on a slight slope… but then you immediately start climbing!
Stop in Piobbico, the city of ugly people (there is also a Festival!), to visit the Brancaleoni Castle, before continuing in the direction of Apecchio, an enchanted town in the middle of the mountains on the border between Marche and Umbria Regions. If you arrive there for lunch, I recommend a stop at Civico 14+5; where you can also taste bostrengo, the cyclists’ dessert.
The small village of Cantiano, famous for its Horse Fair, is located on the slopes of Monte Catria, in the heart of the Apennines. For dinner you absolutely have to go to Cantina Sociale, where chef Davide Mioli revisits traditional dishes using excellent raw materials from small local producers. Overnight stay at Country House Serendipity… that has a beautiful SPA where you can recover from the day’s efforts.
DAY 2: CANTIANO/ARCEVIA – 62 km, 1050m D+
After crossing spectacular Corno del Catria Gorge you cycle for a short stretch in Umbria Region, before arriving in Sassoferrato. Here we recommend stopping for lunch at Taverna da Bartolo, in the enchanting square of the Historic Center of the Castle (the upper part of Sassoferrato that you absolutely must visit).
Once you arrive near Genga, before the last challenging climbs towards Arcevia, consider the detour to visit the beautiful Valadier Temple, set in the rocks of the Gola della Rossa and Frasassi, as we did (7km flat detour. Entrance fee €6). Overnight stay at central Park Hotel, dinner at the historic La Baita restaurant with corn maltagliati, a typical local product. La Baita is not easily reachable by bike, if you prefer to stay in the center we recommend Pinocchio Restaurant.
DAY 3: ARCEVIA/FURLO – 69km, 980m D+
A day with many ups and downs, but without long climbs like those of the previous days. You first pass through Caudino, one of the nine castles of Arcevia, and then through Serra Sant’Abbondio, a little town close to Monte Catria. For those who have time and legs, the uphill detour to Fonte Avellana Monastery is really worth it: it’s 7km with 250m D+ one way.
You then arrive at Frontone, where you have to face the challenging climb up to the Castle (1km at 14%). Stop for lunch at Taverna della Rocca with the typical crescia, that is prepared directly on the fireplace. You close the ring by returning to Cagli and then to Acqualagna.
