San Donnino Descent. Mainly off-road. Quite strenuous. Skill 3 Stamina 6
Total time :(Incl. Rest stops and meals) c.9-00 to 4-00
Cycling time :3.5 hours 90% off-road.
Distance :30 Km
Start point :9.00 Santa Lucia Garage Bar (Exit E 45 Cittą di Castello Sud (Santa Lucia), turn left at T junction to find Q8/Metano garage immediately on your left) We then drive up to the Montone ridge (via S.Donino to drop off a car) together. For shorter rides we can travel further along the ridge first.
Bring small snack and swimming costume.
General Description
Beautiful distant mountain views of Tuscany and Le Marche as we follow the Montone ridge northwards, then a beautiful descent through spruce and oak woods into the Tiber valley. Though an overall descent, there are plenty of short but quite strenuous ascents in this trail, so quite a good level of fitness is needed. Choice of lunch at S.Donino (below) or Pantera depending on taste and budget. (both with swimming pools)
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.(Dirt track) 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. (Dirt track) 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 Bestiame turn. Half an hour of quite strenuous (2 quite long ascents)cycling through beautiful spruce woods with distant mountain veiws. Bestiame turn to Sasso turn : 30 mins descent with a couple of significant ascents. Beautiful woodlands Sasso turn to S. Donino : 30 mins easy descent apart from two short but steep rocky descents.