Five routes in the italian hills

Nice ride through the Italian hills for the post-holiday comeback, routes through nature and little-used roads that also get to know the excellence produced by the land. 5 routes that you really must try!

Valdobbiadene

These hills are part of the Unesco World Heritage Site since 2019. An area of almost 19,000 hectares that stretches from Valdobbiadene to Vittorio Veneto and includes 15 municipalities. The hills in this area are characterised by a geological conformation called ‘hogback’ with narrow summits and steep slopes interspersed with small valleys. This is where the house of Conegliano – Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, amidst the grassy ridges with narrow terraces where man harvests the fruit of the vine by hand. Among the many routes you can try an itinerary between Valdobbiadene – Abbazia di Santa Bona a Vidor – San Vigilio – Col San Martino – Combai. 25 kilometres, with some short but demanding climbs that the e-bike makes practicable for everyone, 310 metres in ascent and 180 in descent.

Venosa

This is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and is famous for being the birthplace of the Latin poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus. The route to discover this part of Basilicata starts here, a ring-route through history, wine and hills. In the villages touched by this itinerary, cycling is combined with the tasting of unique dishes, seasoned with a drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil ‘Vulture’ DOP, with good wine, full-bodied, intense and harmonious, the Aglianco del Vulture DOC. The scarce presence car traffic makes it possible to pedal peacefully among the vineyards and wine cellars.

The itinerary is short and of medium-low difficulty, and can be covered in a single day. Venosa – Rapolla – Melfi – Barile – Rionero in Vulture – the lakes of Monticchio – Ripacandida – Ginestra.

Romagna hills

The Romagna Riviera is not only synonymous with beach holidays, but is also an area rich in treasures to discover and with a varied landscape, ideal for lovers of cycling tourism and slow holidays. For an alternative day between land and sea, you can strap on your bicycle and set off from Bellaria Igea Marina towards the hilly hinterland. The 120 km route, with a maximum height of 400, lasts about 4½ hours and is considered of medium difficulty. 

From Santarcangelo di Romagna onwards, the route follows the foothills road that runs parallel to the Rimini Riviera. Santarcangelo – S. Martino dei Mulini – Sant’Ermete, Cerasolo and Ospedaletto. It plunges into a verdant landscape of cultivated fields, vineyards, olive groves, rolling hills and small towns. You then reach the municipality of Coriano – San Clemente – Morciano – Mondaino, a historic fortified village of the Malatesta Seignory – Montegridolfo ends the foothills and descends towards Tavullia – Gradara – Gabicce – Cattolica.

Roero

The Roero hills are renowned for their dense network of footpaths, known as the ‘Sentieri del Roero‘. The Roero is a hilly area of lower Piedmont, flanking the left bank of the Tanaro river, which separates it from the Langhe and touches the provinces of Turin and Asti. Cultivated fields and historic villages are set in a still wild nature of dense vegetation and rugged hills. 300 km of mapped MTB routes, ring routes, easy, difficult, four Gran Tour Mtb and the Gran Fondo Roerocche. The Sentiero del Lupo (Trail of the Wolf) is 10.80 km – difference in altitude 140 m – for Family or Mountain Bike. The Sentiero del Gioco (Game Trail) 5.20 km – difference in altitude 190 m – for Easy Hiker. The Chestnut Trail 7.50 km – difference in altitude 140 m – for Family or Mountain Bike Difficult.

Pescara

The tour is a ring road of 85 km, a tour of the heights around the D’Annunzio capital to discover its colours, smells and above all its flavours. The exit from Pescara is via the cycle path along the seafront. The hills of Pescara concede themselves with mildness, barely perceptible ups and downs, then the ascent of Penne, light and steady, punctuated by the solemn sight of the Gran Sasso, which together with the Maiella shows its silhouette. The climb to Pianella makes itself felt. Better to have a trained leg!