• The scenic Casoni di Romagna section: the Casoni di Romagna wind farm is situated at an altitude of 710 metres above sea level, in a stunning setting between the Idice and Sillaro valleys and close to the border with Tuscany. The doubletrack crosses the entire ridge, passing the 16 enormous wind turbines that make the surrounding barren landscape unusual and fascinating. A distinctive feature is the type of black rock found along the route: these are ophiolites, magmatic and metamorphic rocks of the oceanic crust. After the ridge, you will pass in front of the Sasso della Mantesca (Mantesca Stone), which is a black triangle shaped by nature, quite famous here, and the protagonist of many folklore legends.
• The ancient Abbey of Moscheta: founded in 1034, the Abbey of San Pietro a Moscheta stands in the heart of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. Its name derives from the ancient Mons Ischetus (mountain of oaks). After a period of great splendour and medieval prosperity, the building was gradually abandoned from the 14th century onwards. Today, the complex also houses the Museum of the Historic Landscape of the Apennines.
• The Raticosa Pass: the Raticosa Pass is situated at 968 metres above sea level. It is a famous pass in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, located between the provinces of Bologna and Florence (in the municipality of Firenzuola). The pass is renowned for its nature trails and is a much-loved destination for motorcyclists and cyclists. It was crossed by the Giro d’Italia in 1934 on the route from Florence to Bologna.
• The natural landscapes of the Casentinesi Forests National Park: the Casentinesi Forests National Park boasts one of the most unspoilt and picturesque forest landscapes in Europe: vast beech woods, ancient fir forests, and deep valleys shape an Apennine environment characterised by ridges, streams and rocky cliffs.
• The hilly area of Castrocaro Terme and Forlì: the hilly area of Castrocaro Terme features a landscape typical of Romagna, with vineyards, woods, and gentle Apennine slopes. The area is crossed by the Via Romea Germanica and the Cammino di Sant’Antonio, ancient medieval pilgrimage routes. The badlands are the typical clay formations shaped by water erosion, which create striking scenery that breaks the green hills around.
• The wild Rio Cozzi Canyon: it is one of the most striking examples of erosion in the region. You will ride beneath enormous blocks of whitish clay known as ‘spungone’, which line the whole course of the Rio Cozzi stream.

• When to go: from April to October. Mild nights, hot days. May-June would be the best choice. April and October may be possible, although the nights could be very cold.
• Logistics: Bologna and Forlì are well connected by all modes of transport: flights, motorways, and trains. You can set off from Bologna by train, travel to Forlì, and return by train. The journey takes about an hour and a half.
• What bike: We suggest riding that route with a mountain bike or monster cross bike due to the nature of the road and singletracks. A rigid or suspension front fork will work, and the minimum recommended tire size is 2.25″.

• Free (wild) camping is forbidden. We recommend getting in touch with the locals and asking for a place. If you are a small group of few people and are riding the route during the off-season, it will be easy to put up the tent discretely in places. Otherwise there are plenty of mountain huts, hotels or hostels where you can find a room.
• There is a free campsite before reaching Moscheta Abbey, perfect for the first Night (with a barbecue area!)
• Despite the possibility of discrete camping in other places, wild camping is strictly forbidden among the “Parco delle Foreste Casentinesi” because it’s an environment preservation area. There you can find many forest cabins and refuges. As previously mentioned, for some of them it’s suggested to call the owners in advance.

• You can find many markets and shops in almost every town along the route.
• You can use the public grill areas in Moscheta Abbey campsite (km 71) or 6 km after, at the “Rifugio la Serra”; be sure to buy food before in Idice Valley town shops or in Firenzuola. Leave the place in better condition than you found it.
• There is a restaurant in the Moscheta Abbey (check for open hours and days)
• In “Castagno d’Andrea” village there’s a hut – an official stop on the GEA route. Ask the local ARCI Bar to secure a bed there.
• Water is widely available along the entire path, including from fountains. Some of them may not be monitored, but we promise they provide very good, fresh water.
• We highly recommend Bar Caffè Falterona in Castagno d’Andrea; they offer great food at fair prices, and the staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming.

We have split the route into three days:

location Bologna – Badia di Moscheta

Day 1 (71km, 1,600m)

Day 1 begins by climbing into the Apennines across a mountain ridge overlooking Idice and Sillaro Valley.

location Badia di Moscheta – Il Castagno d’Andrea

Day 2 (60km, 1,400m)

Starting with a hard climb followed by a fun downhill on a forest road, you will reach the “Mugello,” a famous Tuscan valley. After that, the longest and most challenging climb of the entire route awaits you.

location Il Castagno d’Andrea – Forlì

Day 3 (96km, 2,200m)

The most panoramic and demanding stage. First, you will cross the amazing Casentino forest, where the landscape views are stunning. Then, there are a few hike-a-bike sections that allow you to stay at altitude and enjoy some exciting descents and singletrack. There is a landslide in the middle of this stage, but don’t worry. It’s easy to cross on foot.

Keep in mind that the off-road section before Pietramala can become extremely muddy after heavy rain. In such conditions, allow for up to an hour of hike-a-bike, or consider bypassing the section entirely by following the paved road from Monterenzio to Pietramala.

If needed, there is a railway station in Borgo San Lorenzo. From there, you can access Forlì, the end of the route, in around two hours with one change. Florence is approximately 45 minutes away, and Bologna is about 1 hour and 45 minutes.