Montone to Montecastelli Skill 5 Stamina 4
Easy to moderate cycling with 2 short but steep rocky descents. (But you can push bike over these difficult bits)
Total time :(Incl. Rest stops and meals) c.9-00 to 4.00
Cycling time :3 to 3.5 hours 65% dirt tracks
Distance :30 Km
Start point :9.00 La Taverna di Mastro Dante. (Exit E 45 at promano, follow round the large roundabout and exit heading south towards Montecastelli. After 500m you will see the Taverna on your left) Then we drive up together to the Montone ridge.
General Description
Beautiful distant mountain views as we cycle along the Montone ridge and then an amazing descent through pristine pine and later oakwoods. On the last part of the trail we descend into the unspoilt Lana valley stopping for a late lunch at the Agriturismo Il sarale
Trail Breakdown
From Montone ridge half an hour's hard cycling (4km) with 2 Q. strenuous ascents (4-5 mins). Plenty of shade from pine forests, amazing views across to le Marche etc. till arrive at waterfall turn.(Gravel) Easier cycling but a few long though not steep ascents. Its 5Km (40mins) to the Pietralunga turn-off. Plenty of refreshing downs and shade however. (Gravel) Half an hour of easy cycling to the Candeggio turn off on dirt track apart from 10 mins tarmac (Deserted mountain road). Some shade. 5.5 km Candeggio to Vitiano fork: 2.5 km (20mins) beautiful off road with distant mountain views. Vitiano fork to standing stones. 2.5 km (20 mins) beautiful Tolkienesque lanscape. Loads of shade. (Left turn just before standing stones is short cut across to Cass. Dei Soci) Sharply descent from standing stones navigating 2 steep rocky parts. Pine then oak woods- beautiful! After 3.5 Km (25 mins) arrive at tarmac (Star point) Either turn left for 3 km (15 mins)of beautiful tarmac descent to arrive at Agriturismo Il Sarale for lunch and (In season) a swim. After lunch a furthur 15 mins descent to Montecastelli taverna. Or right for a 5 km beautiful descent (1 5 min ascent)into Promano to eat at La Focaccia.