Urbania W280 R55Located in the Upper Metaurus Valley alongside the river which flowspast the ancient city walls, Urbania, which once bore the name ofCasteldurante, lies in a hilly - mountainous region at the foot of MonteMontiego. The town has numerous historic and artistic monuments,including the prestigious Palazzo Ducale, which houses the townlibrary, the historic archives, the Civic Museum and the Museum ofCountry life. Worth visiting are the “Chiesa dei Morti” and its mummycemetery, the renaissance complex of the Barco, hunting lodge of thedukes of Urbino, and the nineteenth century “D. Bramante” theatre.Famous throughout the world are the ancient ceramics of Casteldurantedecorated with historical scenes, which are still being produced todaythanks to the efforts of local craftsmen. The area is very popular withcyclists with a number of cycling associations and specialist cycleshops. Information: Tourist Office, tel. 0722 313140.

Piobbico W334 R71The town of Piobbico stands between Monte Nerone and MonteMontiego at the confluence of the rivers Biscubio and Candiglianowhich flow together through the centre of the town. Surrounded bygreen woods, the town is a much appreciated central Apennine healthresort offering sporting activities in direct contact with nature. Ofgreat historic and artistic interest is Castello Brancaleoni which stilltoday dominates the underlying medieval quarter. The interior of thecastle is rich in late renaissance frescoes and stucco work. Worthy of avisit are the Church of Santo Stefano, the Santuario di Santa Maria inVal d'Abisso and the beautiful historic centre. Information: Town Hall,tel. 0722 986225.

Monte Montiego and Gola di Gorgo a Cerbara Monte Montiego (W 975), also known as Mondiego, is bounded by thevalleys of the Metaurus and Candigliano rivers. The latter river has, onits south-east side, created a gorge called the “Gola di Gorgo aCerbara”, a site of important scenic and palaeontologic interest. Therest of the mountain is characterised by extensive wooded areas,

conifer plantations and pastures near the summit. The Marche RegionalEnvironmental and Countryside Plan (Piano Paesistico AmbientaleRegionale delle Marche) of 1990 designates the Gorge as a naturereserve, which also includes the nearby Fosso dell'Eremo. Of an-thropical interest are the rural agglomerates of Montiego, Castello deiPecorari and the Chiesa dell' Orsaiola.

Monte Nerone mountain range Monte Nerone (W 1575) has its own unique geomorphologic characte-ristics. The heavy calcareous stratification and its fossils, in fact,recount the long history of the Apennine Mountain. All the moretypical ecosystems of the peninsula are represented on its slopes andthe spectacular landscape is one to admire. Wolves still live in itswoods, trout swim in its streams and the golden eagle still nests on itsrocky summit. Information: Centro Educazione Ambientale (Environ-mental Education Centre), tel. 0722 985455.

tourist information

altitudes

km.

200

400

m.

600

010,00 20,0 30,0 40,0 50,0 60,0 70,0

Urb

ania

Piob

bico

Secc

hian

o

Gor

goCe

rbar

a

540

74,7

Urb

ania

800

Colo

mba

ra

772

570

W= altitude above sea level in meters R = distance from Pesaro in kilometres

3°cycle tour

Starting and finishing point:Urbania, piazza San CristoforoAltitudes:280 (start), 772 (max)Recommended bicycles: Racing or Mountain bikeTotal length:km. 79,5 Estimated time:5:30 h / 6 hTotal ascent/descent:m. 1243 Level of difficulty:

Type of road: asphaltIntended for: trained cyclists

How to reach Urbania:From the Coast: Autostrada A14, Fano Exit • Superstradadirection Urbino • Fermignano • Urbania (S.P. 4) From Inland: S.S. 73 bis (from Bocca Trabaria o fromUrbino) S.P. 4 Metaurense (from Fermignano)

Cover: Piobbico, view of the hamlet with Castello Brancaleoni1. Urbania, Palazzo Ducale on the Metaurus river2. Urbania, il Barco Ducale (Ducal hunting lodge)3. Monte Nerone mountain chain

1.

2.

3.

The itinerary winds its way through thenatural countryside and mountain roads ofMonte Montiego and Monte Nerone. Thistour is for trained cyclists, with three mainclimbs (max. alt. 772 m) well spread outover the 80 km route. The itinerary offers asplendid combination of art and nature.

www.turismo.pesarourbino.itinfo@turismo.pesarourbino.it

cycle tour

Monte Nerone:between wild nature and charminghamletsURBANIA

PIOBBICO

MONTE MONTIEGOE GOLA DI GORGO A CERBARA

COMPLESSO MONTUOSO DEL MONTE NERONE

Provincia di Pesaro e Urbino

3°

Start: Start from piazza S. Cristoforo in the centre of Urbania. This lively piazza provides all the logistical support required. Urbania is also a very popular town for cyclists. There is a cycle shop nearby.

km. 0 Zero the milometer in front of “teatro Bramante” [W 280]. Cycle towards the public park continuing along the S.S. 73 bis.

km. 0,4 At the roundabout, follow the signs for Sant'Angelo in Vado.

km. 0,9 At the crossroads, turn left for Piobbico. 100 m. further on, continue straight-on towards Piobbico.

km. 4,9 The road starts to climb. After 2.3 km, the road goes through the pass [W 540], and then downhill towards Piobbico.

km. 14 Piobbico [W 334], turn right at the bridge towards Apecchio.

km. 14,5 After the tree-lined road, go straight-on at the stop sign.

km. 20,5 Turn left towards Monte Nerone. After 300 m., turn left at the junction towards Monte Nerone, Serravalle. The road starts to climb [W 436].

km. 22,3 Colombara [W 519].

km. 27,8 The road goes through the pass [W 772]. Continue towards Cagli, Serravalle di Carda.

km. 28,2 Continue through Serravalle di Carda and then downhill towards Cagli.

km. 31,6 Continue on towards Cagli.

km. 36,5 Pianello [W380], is at the bottom of the hill; turn right towards Cagli. After 500 m., turn left at the junction towards Cagli.

km. 43,4 Secchiano [W 318].

km. 44,2 At the junction, turn left towards Piobbico, Rocca Leonella. The road climbs for about 4 km [pass W 570]. Warning: the road is narrow in places and very uneven!

km. 54,6 The road goes downhill for about 2 km. Warning: steep hill!

km. 56,8 Turn right at the stop sign [W 340] (S.p. 257). The road passes through the Gola di Gorgo (gorge), at Cerbara, formed by the faces of Monte Nerone and Monte Montiego. Continue for a few km along a slow descent to Bellaria at km 66.9 [W 227].

km. 67,4 Turn right towards Urbania. The road climbs for about 2.5 km [pass W 338].

km. 76,6 At the stop sign, turn left towards Urbania (S.p. 4).

km. 79,2 In Urbania, leave the S.p. 4 after the traffic lights by turning right along corso Garibaldi which leads into piazza San Cristoforo.

km. 79,5 Arrival in Piazza San Cristoforo of Urbania.

cycle tour

3°

Tour, starting pointOther toursDual carriageway, exitMain roadsSecondary roadsRailway linePlaces of natural interest Uphill stretch

Scale 1:125000

place of historical interest place of naturalistic interest crossroads can be misleading traffic can make this stretch dangerous WW = altitude above sea level in meters