From the Marecchia Valley to San Leo Fortress
Distance: 22 km
Difficulty: medium
Overall gradient: 1.087 m
Uphill gradient: 542 m
Downhill gradient: 545 m
Asphalt stretches: 8 km
Dirt track stretches: 14 km
This itinerary starts in Pietracuta, from the car park on the Marecchiese PR, on the road to San Leo. A short distance after the bar/petrol station and the crossroads, leave the asphalt road and turn right along a cart road. This leads to the crest of the hill in Case Belvedere. On asphalt, the road climbs to Tausano. The itinerary continues on a dirt track that after a few km reaches a junction of roads and paths that head in all directions. Bear right on the rocky dirt track and follow it as far as the next crossroads. Climb left on the crest. Turn right and follow the spectacular path as for as the crosses on Monte S. Severino then head downhill to San Leo cemetery. On asphalt, head into the heart of the village. On the old paved road it is possible to climb up to the fortress. For the return journey, once out of the village, head downhill on the asphalt road towards Secchiano/Novafeltria and after a km turn right along a small path half hidden by shrubs. Over the hill stands the 13th century, Franciscan monastery of S. Igne. Head down the dirt track just below the monastery as far as the Marecchia River in the village of Ponte S. Maria Maddalena. Continue for a few metres along the AR 258 asphalt road towards Rimini and then turn right on a disused asphalt road for a few km as far as the initial road. A few km and the itinerary is back at the departure point.