SloWays • Montefeltro, from the Appennines to the Adriatic Sea

The area of Montefeltro is predominantly mountainous and hilly, with wooded valleys interrupted by steep slopes. Due to its significant environmental, historical and cultural characteristics, Montefeltro is home to the Sasso Simone and Simoncello Regional Natural Park. Facing each other, for millions of years the great limestone boulders of Sasso Simone and Simoncello, together with Mount Carpegna with its 1415 metres, have been facing each other defining the horizon of the entire area. Their profile is unmistakable, and they have always been a fundamental reference point for those crossing this territory, imposing themselves on the view and exerting a great evocative power.

All around them are woods, meadows and rural environments dotted with castles, fortresses and villages that tell fascinating stories, as in the case of the fortress-city of Sasso, built by Cosimo I de' Medici around the middle of the 16th century. The most significant morphological element of the area is represented by the sharp contrast between the limestone outcrops, which form the main reliefs, and those with a prevalent clay component, which give rise to a gentle, hilly landscape. Urbino was one of the most important centres of the Italian Renaissance, whose architectural legacy it fully preserves. Its historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.

Route

Day 1: Arrive in Rimini

Day 2: Bus to Novafeltria and walk to San Leo, 10 km

Day 3: Bus to Villagrande and walk to Carpegna, 14 km

Day 4: Walk from Carpegna to Piandimeleto, 16 km

Day 5: Walk from Piandimeleto to Sant'Angelo in Vado, 16 km

Day 6: Walk from Sant'Angelo in Vado to Urbania, 22 km

Day 7: Walk from Urbania to Urbino, 20,5 km

Day 8: Arrivederci Urbino!

Day 1: Arrive in Rimini

After checking in at the accommodation you can relax at the beach, or wander around town visiting the most important attractions. The City Museum, Rimini's main museum institution, was inaugurated as the "Archaeological Gallery", which had been of great interest in the city's culture for centuries, given the grandeur of the monuments and ruins that the Roman age had left here. The gallery was the city's first museum and was conceived as a collection of Etruscan and Roman antiquities found in Rimini and the surrounding countryside.

Day 2: Bus to Novafeltria and walk to San Leo, 10 km

This morning from Rimini a short bus ride will take you to Novafeltria from where you will start your walking holiday. The walk itself is quite short and leads you to the hamlet of San Leo, a marvellous capital of art, mentioned by Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy, is the fulcrum of the historical Montefeltro region and the town that gave it its name. Known for its historical and geopolitical events, a location for films and documentaries, a tourist destination of excellence, it is the precious pearl guarded by the province of Rimini. You climb the clay hills along which you can enjoy views of the Adriatic Sea and the peaks of the Umbro-Marchigiano Apennines. In San Leo you can visit the medieval centre and the famous imposing fortress built over a lime boulder.

Distance: 10 km

Elevation gain: +580 / -260 m

Day 3: Bus to Villagrande and walk to Carpegna, 14 km

Today’s itinerary offers spectacular views over the entire Montefeltro area, included the Apennines mountains, the Adriatic Sea and the famous Repubblica di San Marino. You walk mainly along the edge of Monte Carpegna enjoying its landscape dominated by huge meadows and pastures. Most of the walk runs inside the Natural Park of Sasso Simone e Simoncello. The 'sasso' within the reserve is a 1,200-metre rock, a natural balcony from the top of which you can see a spectacular panorama. The rock, in the past, was also the object of pagan cults due to its conformation. Even in the Middle Ages, the area around the stone was very busy, thanks to the passage of merchants and pilgrims on their way to Rome.

Distance: 14 km

Elevation gain: +760 / -930 m

Day 4: Walk from Carpegna to Piandimeleto, 16 km

The day hike is quite long but easy, along the ridge of the hills chain between the villages of Carpegna and Piandimeleto. The trails are very panoramic and allow you to enjoy views of the Adriatic Sea and the peaks of the Umbro-Marchigiano Apennines. You pass next the locally famous rocky formation called Pietrafagnana also known as 'Giant's Finger' or 'Devil's Finger'. Pietrafagnana is one of the most beautiful scenic spots in the area, is more likely to be simply a bizarre natural geological formation. A whimsical artistic creation birthed by Mother Nature who, by giving it this particular shape, ensured that it was inextricably linked to stories and legends.

Distance: 16 km

Elevation gain: +580 / -1000 m

Day 5: Walk from Piandimeleto to Sant'Angelo in Vado, 16 km

The walk of today is a bit demanding walk through the hills covered by the typical rural environment of Marche region: fields, pastures, woods, clayey gullies, hedges. The geomorphology of the area is very articulated given the different uplift of the seabed. Along the route it is possible to follow a short detour to the tiny village “Eremo di Caresto”, which was in the past a military fortress and now became a marriage spirituality centre specifically for married and engaged couples.

Distance: 16 km

Elevation gain: +580 / -530 m

Day 6: Walk from Sant'Angelo in Vado to Urbania, 22 km

A big portion of the route runs along gravel tracks to the destination of the day, Urbania. The town of Urbania is framed by sinuous hills and crossed by the Metauro river. The historical centre, but also the surroundings, enjoy the influence of the Dukes of Urbino, who embellished the town with magnificent architectural jewels that have been perfectly preserved.

Distance: 22 km

Elevation gain: +710 / -660 m

Day 7: Walk from Urbania to Urbino, 20,5 km

The last day you walk a long and challenging section, ending in the charming town of Urbino. Urbino is one of the most important centres of the Italian Renaissance, whose architectural heritage is still fully preserved today; since 1998 its historical centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to one of the oldest and most important universities in Europe, founded in 1506. Enjoy the rest of the day wondering around the marvelous town tasting its exquisite cuisine.

Distance: 20,5 km

Elevation gain: +910 / -680 m

Day 8: Arrivederci Urbino!

Last day included. Tour ends after breakfast.

practical info

The climate in Central Italy is generally very mild with differences depending on the geography of the region, from coasts and valleys to the continental areas.The warmest months are generally July and August, with temperatures ranging from 23°C up to 30°C; the valleys can often see higher temperatures and 38°C to 40° C is not uncommon. While June and September offer both ice warm weather. Of course, there are always exceptions or dry spell that cause a few days to get really hot. Spring (April and May) and Autumn (October and November) are dry, with sunny days but the chances of rain are high. The weather can change very quickly and you must be prepared for rain, mist, wind, fog (and even hail or snow at higher elevations) –especially in spring and autumn.

Included

What is included

7 Nights in double room in **/*** hotels , B&B and agriturismi with breakfast
luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
maps and detailed description of the itinerary
Medical and luggage travel insurance
24h phone assistance

What is not included

Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
lunches and dinners, if not otherwise stated
visits and entrance fees - tips
personal expense
possible sojourn taxes
everything that is not mentioned in the "What is included" section.

Optional Services

These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour:

Single room supplement
cancellation insurance
Transfers to reach the starting location or to leave the arriving location of the tour, which will be quoted on request.