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technical info
Route
Stage that is essentially one long climb. The route is completely flat from the start to Silla, although after Sasso Marconi it begins to rise slightly along the Porrettana road. At Silla, the first KOM climb begins (effectively forming a single ascent with the final climb, separated only by a very short descent). The route passes through Gaggio Montano via the steepest approach to reach Querceta. A short descent leads to Villaggio Europa (Lizzano in Belvedere), followed by the final climb.
Final kilometres
The last 12 km are all uphill on a mountain road with numerous bends and some hairpins. In the final 3 km, gradients remain above 10%, with peaks up to 15%, before easing slightly. Final straight (asphalt, 150 m long, 7 m wide) at around 7%.
start / finish
climb detail
final kilometres
itinerary timetable
tourist info
Host city:
Cervia
Overview
The Municipality of Cervia is situated in the region of Emilia-Romagna on a stupendous stretch of the Adriatic coast with 9 km of fine sandy beaches and shallow waters. The ancient “city of salt”, the old fishing village and the extensive pinewoods have been transformed by the development of tourism. This began in a pioneering way at the end of the eighteen hundreds and had a decisive impact in 1912 when the “garden town” of Milano Marittima was built at the edge of the centuries old pinewood. Cervia with its districts of Milano Marittima, Pinarella and Tagliata is now one of the most famous seaside resorts and a national and international reference model. A land of natural beauty, tradition, culture and history awaits you here, where there are many attractions if you are looking for a holiday with a focus on health, fun and relaxation.
Food
An important aspect of the tourism offer of Cervia is the food and wine. The “sweet” salt of Cervia, since 2004 a Slow Food Association product, distinguishes local cuisine in a really unique way. The best dishes to try are the traditional recipes, in particular tagliatelle and cappelletti, various sand wines of the coastal area and the more robust wines of the hill region. The local piadina bread can be tasted at the distinctive piadina kiosks.
Points of interest
The quality of the water, the coast, tourism services and friendliness toward the environment enabled Cervia to win the Blue Flag for the twenty-first time consecutively in 2019.
The area has a wealth of natural beauty, culture, history where there are many attractions if you are looking for a holiday with a focus on health and relaxation.
It is fascinating to walk through the centre and explore a town that was transferred literally brick by brick from its original location inland to the new location by the sea at the end of the 17th century.
Things not to be missed are the Salt Warehouses, now the home of important exhibitions and the MUSA (the Salt Museum), Saint Michael’s Tower, the Cathedral, Town Hall and Piazza Garibaldi which is the heart of the old centre.
Particularly interesting are the Civic Theatre, Church of Suffrage with its Callido organ, Saint Anthony’s Church, Piazzetta Pisacane, where the former historic building of the former fish market is located, and the port canal with the old lighthouse and distinctive fish market.
Every day there are shows, exhibitions, concerts, street markets to give life to these traditional places.
Milano Marittima is the youngest resort district of Cervia and as such it is the most vivacious. It is a fashionable place with many shops selling articles with famous designer labels, exclusive beaches and intense nightlife.
What makes Pinarella and Tagliata distinctive are the long beaches and pinewood along the coast with areas equipped for picnics and amusements for children.
Cervia and its districts enjoy a privileged position which makes it possible to alternate days at the beach with pleasant excursions inland to places steeped in history, tradition and delicious local products, and also to Ravenna, an important city of art and famous for its stupendous Byzantine mosaics which are now Unesco World Heritage.
Something of particular beauty is the “Il tappeto sospeso” (hovering carpet) fountain, a highly coloured mosaic carpet conceived by Tonino Guerra on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the Founding of New Cervia.
Nestled in a pinewood that has existed for more than a thousand years is the Spa of Cervia which offers a wide range of aesthetic and therapeutic treatments using the properties of the mud and mother liquors of the salt pans.
In fact the liman (lagoon mud), which is an extremely valuable aid to health, is extracted from the Saltpans of Cervia which are now a nature reserve covering 827 hectares.
On account of the rich variety of birdlife the saltpans are now part of the Southern district of the Po Delta Regional Park.
Corno alle Scale
Overview
Corno alle Scale is a mountain in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, located on the border between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, within the Metropolitan City of Bologna. At 1,945 metres above sea level, it is the highest peak in the Bologna Apennines and forms part of the Corno alle Scale Regional Park. The area is characterised by open mountain landscapes, high-altitude grasslands and forested slopes, and is well known for hiking activities as well as for its ski resort.
Gastronomy
The culinary tradition of the Corno alle Scale area is deeply rooted in the mountain culture of the Apennines, shaped by local ingredients and time-honoured practices. Among its most distinctive products is the wild black blueberry, hand-picked and used in jams, juices, and infusions following traditional recipes. Typical specialties include crescentine and tigelle, served with cured meats, cheeses, and the classic cunza. Also widespread are zampanelle (or borlenghi), thin, crispy wafers dressed with lard, garlic, rosemary, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Chestnut flour, sourced from centuries-old groves, is central to dishes such as ciacci and castagnaccio. The surrounding forests also yield prized ingredients like porcini mushrooms and the Belvedere truffle, key elements of the area’s rich and authentic cuisine.
Wine and other drinks
The beverages of the Corno alle Scale area reflect its mountain environment and strong connection to local production. The waters of Lizzano are renowned for their purity, flowing directly from the peaks of the surrounding range. Viticulture here is defined by the presence of PIWI wines, produced from resistant grape varieties and closely linked to sustainable practices, alongside wines from the Bologna hills such as Pignoletto and Barbera. Among the area’s standout specialties is the wild black blueberry, used to create juices, nectars, artisanal liqueurs, and infusions—an authentic expression of the natural richness of the Apennine landscape.
Punti di interesse
The Corno alle Scale area stands out as one of the main natural hubs of the Bolognese Apennines, where landscapes, history, and outdoor adventure come together. Among its most iconic landmarks is the Cross of Corno alle Scale, set at 1,945 metres on Punta Sofia—a breathtaking panoramic point from which, on clear days, views stretch from the Adriatic to the Tyrrhenian Sea and as far as the Alps. The Corno alle Scale ski resort forms the heart of high-altitude sports, with slopes and trails that have even hosted the training sessions of Olympic champion Alberto Tomba.
The area also bears the marks of history, particularly the Gothic Line: Monte Belvedere was a key stronghold during the Second World War and is now crossed by trails linking former positions and mountain refuges. This historical dimension is complemented by places of quiet spirituality, such as the Sanctuary of Madonna dell’Acero, set among maple and beech trees, and the Sanctuary of Madonna del Faggio, a secluded hermitage deep in the forest.
Among the mountain villages, Pianaccio – birthplace of legendary Italian journalist Enzo Biagi – features a documentation centre dedicated to his life, while Monteacuto delle Alpi preserves the charm of traditional mountain architecture. Cultural offerings include the Ethnographic Museum of Poggiolforato and the Quartz Museum in Lizzano in Belvedere.
Nature takes centre stage at the Dardagna Waterfalls, where cascading streams cut through dense beech forests, and across a network of scenic hiking routes such as the Via della Lana e della Seta and the Cammino Mater Dei. The area is also a well-established destination for cycling and outdoor activities, with routes that wind across ridgelines, forests, and valleys in the heart of the high Apennines.