The Percorsi del Savio (river Savio trails) have a lot to offer to two-wheelers: the Valley has some really interesting road routes, with the straights of the plains and sweeping curves, undulating and fun routes to be taken easy, tasting that special sense of freedom that only motorcycles offer. The hills and mountains of the Savio Valley can be enjoyed in both the green of spring and the warm colors of autumn, taking advantage of the mild temperatures of mid-season.
Don't miss the local specialties, including traditional recipes and seasonal products, from piadina to tortelli alla lastra, from castagnaccio to raviggiolo cheese.
Our motorcycle journey in the Savio Trails begins in Montiano, a small village perched on the hills between the Rubicon and Pisciatello valleys. A natural balcony, from here there is a spectacular view that sweeps down to the sea, amid gentle curves and ancient profiles.
The center of the town is dominated by the scenic Rocca Malatestiana, which draws the historic contours of the village.
After the scenic stop, we descend toward Calisese and climb back up through the hills of Carpineta and Saiano to descend along Via Sorrivoli.
The hill air becomes crisper and a couple of hairpin bends prepare us for the first driving thrills: wide curves, clean asphalt, little traffic. The road to Cesena winds elegantly, giving the first taste of the variety of landscapes and pleasures this route has in store.
Curiosities
According to tradition, the place name Montiano is said to derive from Mons Jani, which means "Janu's Mountain" in Latin, and indeed the municipality's banner bears a two-faced figure. This has even given rise to colorful local sayings, such as “T'cì cmé la bandira ad Muncén” (“You are like the flag of Montiano”) to indicate a person who says one thing and does another. This is actually a para-ethymology: Montiano would derive from Montilianum, perhaps indicating a mountainous land.
After the curves through the hills, we enter Cesena, a city full of culture, history and fine living. Home of men of letters, singers and popes, the ghost of Malatesta Novello, the lord who led the city to splendor, still hovers over the city. Home to the famous Biblioteca Malatestiana, Cesena retains an elegant and evocative historic center, surrounded by walls that form a curious scorpion-shaped plan.
From the Sandro Pertini traffic circle we can walk along the avenues outside the walls and climb up to Porta Montanara along Via Garampa. From there we can walk to the Rocca Malatestiana, the impressive Fortress of Cesena, an exceptional vantage point over the city and the hills of Romagna to the sea. The descent along the narrow and winding via Diavolessa is a little treat for every biker.
Having passed the historic Ponte Vecchio, we enter State Road 71, the Umbro-Casentinese, called by bikers (and not only) “La Vecchia”, that is "The old one": this is the ancient road axis that crosses all the municipalities and numerous hamlets of the entire Savio Valley, a true classic for those who love to travel on two wheels. In the initial sections it alternates straight stretches - between Tipano, San Vittore and San Carlo - with increasingly wide and fast curves, announcing the true protagonists of the itinerary: the roads of the Apennines.
Tips
Curiosities
Once past Borello, you temporarily leave the SS71 to cross the hamlet of Piavola and continue toward a valley with barren colors and bare ridges, which gradually introduces you to the Apennine landscape. With a few quick turns you reach Linaro, where one of the most exhilarating stretches for motorcyclists begins.
The hills close around the road in a series of four downhill curves that lead toward a sort of natural gorge. You pass through the small towns of Ranchio and Civorio, and then continue toward Spinello and Santa Sofia, in a succession of increasingly mountainous landscapes.
The stretch leading to the Passo del Carnaio - Carnaio Mountain Pass, once you take Provincial Road 26, is a real crescendo: sweeping curves, well-maintained bottom, gentle slopes. The pass is 776 meters above sea level, but the open view of the ridges and valleys of Alta Romagna gives the feeling of being much higher. It is the perfect spot for a stop: breathe fresh air, enjoy the view and prepare for the descent to San Piero in Bagno, where the “old” - the SS71 - towards Bagno di Romagna is found again.
After descending from the Carnaio Pass, Bagno di Romagna welcomes motorcyclists with its collected and authentic atmosphere. A spa town on the border between Romagna and Tuscany, it is famous for its healing waters, fairy-tale atmosphere and the friendliness of a small mountain community. This is the realm of slow living, where every experience is meant to be enjoyed. For motorcycle travelers, it is an ideal stop: you can choose to soak in the relaxation of the legendary spas, or explore the village while enjoying the flavors of the area, from the most authentic inns to no less than two Michelin-starred restaurants.
Bagno di Romagna invites you to stay with your helmet off: a dinner in tranquility, a rejuvenating night and, why not, a spa treatment to work off the road and get your soul and muscles back on track. A place where the bike stops and the inner journey continues.
Tips
Bagno di Romagna has been a Touring Club Bandiera Arancione - Orange Flag since 2005, and in 2023 it gained recognition as one of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages.
To taste
Among the many not-to-be-missed culinary specialties typical of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines, we recommend:
Events
The Fall Foliage Festival is the perfect opportunity to experience this journey in the warm colors of autumn.
The next morning we set off again along the “Vecchia,” the old road which from San Piero in Bagno resumes the name SP 137. Keeping to the left, we climb up toward Verghereto, one of the last villages near the Tuscany border.
Here the Apennines become more rugged, the woods thicken and the roads narrow, giving pure driving thrills. Verghereto, with its quiet square, is perfect for a break: a coffee, a short walk, a few chats with the locals.
Continuing on to Ville di Montecoronaro, leave SP 137 to take Provincial Road 43, which climbs with smooth curves toward Balze and Monte Fumaiolo. A perfect vantage point for a technical pit stop and a few photos, you climb back into the saddle and past Alfero you arrive at Acquapartita Lake, ideal for a rejuvenating stop on the lakefront.
From here we take SP 1134, passing through Selvapiana and re-join the old Umbro Casentinese (SP 71).
Tips
Driving along the curves and straights of the Old Road, before reaching Sarsina it is worth stopping at Quarto Lake, an artificial reservoir that is a true naturalistic paradise of flora and fauna.
Leaving the mountains behind, you re-enter the valley to reach Sarsina, the most important historic center of the Upper Savio Valley. A stop here offers history, culture and gastronomy: the charming Piazza Plauto is the beating heart of the village, ideal for a typical lunch in the places overlooking the pavement. From here it is a short walk to the Co-Cathedral Basilica of San Vicinio, a place of deep worship and spirituality, where the famous “chain of the Saint” is preserved, still used today in a highly participated in blessing ritual.
Tips
A stop at the Sarsina National Archaeological Museum, with one of the most important collections of Roman-era artifacts in the region, testifying to the centrality of Sarsina since ancient times, is a must.
Curiosities
After taking the now familiar Umbro-Casentinese Old Road, at the height of Montepetra Bassa you turn right onto Provincial Road 139. At the junction with SP 11 you climb to the legendary Colle del Barbotto, famous among cyclists as one of the toughest climbs of the Nove Colli bicycle race, a former leg of the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France.
But it is also a memorable climb for bikers: technical, spectacular and full of adrenaline.
After the descent and before Savignano di Rigo, we detour back to Montepetra Bassa to rejoin the SP 12 that leads straight to Mercato Saraceno, award-winning City of Wine and the perfect point to close the loop of our tour.
Nestled in the hills, this village is a historic crossroads between the Apennines and the plains, and today welcomes travelers with landscapes that taste of home and glasses of wine. Among the streets of Mercato Saraceno you will encounter thousand-year-old parish churches, quality wineries, typical products and a square that invites you to sit, breathe and toast.
Last but not least, here the road slows down and leaves room for slowness, flavors and the memory of the journey just concluded.
From here, it's back to Cesena along SP 71, with a full tank... of emotions.
Curiosities
