“Mens sana in corpora sano”: here it is possible, Cattolica is infact a big open air gym. Sports fan can play football, five seven and eight – a – side football, golf, tennis, motorcycling, beach volley, and basket, sailing and windsurfing. Thousands sportsmen, of any ages, choose to spend a holiday in the Queen even especially for this reason: high quality hotels are specialized in sports tourism.
Situated just in the heart of a flat coastal strip and surrounded by lush countrysides, sweet hills, thick woods and charming villages cherishing outstanding historic and artistic treasures, Cattolica is a privileged holiday destination for the lovers of cycle excursions.
Both expert cyclists and those looking for compelling landscapes and a closer touch with nature will have the possibility to take advantage of charming paths, major routes and well-equipped cycle paths situated along the sea front which lead to the panoramic mountaintops of the hinterland.
Expert cycle tourists can take part in guided excursions leaving from Cattolica's city centre and its main bike hotels. They will have the possibility to explore both Romagna and the Marches, Valmarecchia and Valconca, the charming villages of the Montefeltro and the lush countrysides of the hinterland of Romagna.
Cattolica strives to suit even the most demanding requirements of both Italian and foreign tourists looking for active holidays, and offers them a remarkably wide array of Bike Hotels featuring utmost comfort and targeted services and facilities, the ideal gathering places for bike lovers flocking to Cattolica from spring up to late autumn.
Bike hotels in Cattolica offer guests private bike sheds, safe lockers to store equipments, a specialized repair shop, expert guides who are always available to provide useful information and arrange guided tours and excursions, multilingual maps provided with detailed information, special agreements with the sporting goods stores of the surrounding area, laundry service for sportswear, medical doctor and physical therapist available for light injuries, targeted menus and pre- and post-training snacks, inner fitness area equipped with state-of-the-art gymnastic apparatus, regenerating sauna and advantageous agreements with Cattolica's sports centres.
Display the 6 itineraries above to discover Cattolica's coast and beautiful hinterland.
 
 
SEA AND MOUNTAINS
This 70-kilometre-long itinerary which extends across both Emilia-Romagna and the Marches is a medium difficulty itinerary featuring a hard climb.
From Cattolica's harbour, take the scenic route which leads to Gabicce Monte and climb 6 kilometres up to the highest point of Gabicce Monte, situated 144 metres above sea level. Once reached the top, enjoy the fresh breeze and breathtaking view over the whole of the Riviera which extends on the slopes of the promontory.
Go on along the road which runs parallel to the coast and enjoy breathtaking views over the charming villages of Casteldimezzo and Fiorenzuola di Focara, the latter situated only 8 kilometres far from Gabicce Monte. This is the highest point of the itinerary, situated 190 metres above sea level, and offers participants the possibility to enjoy breathtaking views over one of the most evocative landscapes of the Riviera.
Once reached Pesaro and visited its beautiful old town, go on to the hinterland in the direction of Montecchio. Climb 13 kilometres up to the crossroads to Tavullia and head to Meleto. Climb 6 kilometres up to the crossroads of San Rocco and again 2 kilometres up to Santa Maria del Monte.
Situated 177 metres above sea level, this panoramic sight offers breathtaking views over the lush valleys of Romagna. Once reached the top, go down to Tavullia, situated just across the border with the Marches. Tavullia is situated only 8 kilometres far from Cattolica; once crossed San Giovanni in Marignano, it is already possible to admire Cattolica's seascape.
 
 
THE LANDSCAPES OF THE RIVIERA

This 48-kilometre-long very difficult itinerary gathers plenty of ups and downs which require considerable expertise and training. However, impressive architectural masterpieces and breathtaking views over the coast will be ample reward for all participants went through.
From Cattolica's harbour, climb 6 kilometres up to Gradara's hill, which is dominated by impressive medieval walls and merloned towers. Participants will have the possibility to visit the famous Malatesta Fortress, which still commands Gradara's hill and was once the venue for fierce fighting among powerful families, armed struggles between local Signorie and the Papal States and the harrowing love story between Paolo and Francesca, the latter celebrated by Dante's Divine Comedy.
Once visited the Fortress, enjoy breathtaking views over the coast on one side and Mount Carpegna on the other. Then go down to Pesaro and visit its ancient old town gathering plenty of sumptuous Medieval and Renaissance palaces. A breath offresh sea breeze will help participants cope with the subsequent hard climb.
They need utmost concentration in order to climb the 22-kilometre-long scenic route leading to Fiorenzuola di Focara and Gabicce Monte. However, the breathtaking view over the enchanting underlying coast is ample reward for all they went through.
Not to be missed are Fiorenzuola's old town and Gabicce Monte's enchanting landscapes, as well as the fortresses and ancient villages which gaze across the coast from on high. Go back to Cattolica along a 6-kilometre-long descent leading to the harbour.
 
 
MALATESTA FORTRESSES

This medium difficulty 121-kilometre-long itinerary features plenty of lovely stopovers.
From Cattolica, climb to Gradara and its impressive Malatesta Fortress, which was once the venue for the harrowing love story between Paolo and Francesca. Not to be missed are the inner rooms of the castle and the breathtaking views they offer over the underlying landscape.
Head to Monteluro, which once set the stage for fierce fighting between the Malatesta and Montefeltro families, that is strategically situated 289 metres above sea level. Not to be missed are the ruins of the castle of Monteluro, which once gazed across the countryside from on high.
Go down to the small villages of Tavullia, Trebbio and Montegridolfo, the latter cherishing a charming old town which was completely destroyed during the war between the Montefeltro and Malatesta families and subsequently rebuilt in 1300 with a rectangular plant and impressive towers.
Next step is Mondaino, situated only one kilometre far; this is one of the most difficult stretches of the itinerary, since it features a 15%-gradient hard climb leading to the top of a charming hill situated 400 metres above sea level.
This lovely village is dominated by the Malatesta Fortress, built between the XIII and XV century and provided with a beautiful terrace overlooking the lush valleys of Romagna and the compelling coastline of Pesaro and its province.
After the visit to the small and intimate old town of Mondaino, turn left in the direction of Tavoleto (420 metres above sea level), which is situated 10 kilometres far from it. Go down again for 10 kilometres up to Montefiore, which was once chosen by the Malatesta family as one of their most important outposts in Valconca.
Go down to Morciano and then turn left to Taverna and Mercatino Conca, both situated on the slopes of the impressive Mount Titano. Turn right in the direction of  San Marino, follow signs to the clearway and turn in the direction of Acquaviva and Arezzo at Borgo Maggiore roundabout. After a kilometre, turn right to Ventoso.
A 5-kilometre-long descent (18% gradient) leads to the charming old town of  Verucchio, an ancient village which gazes across Marecchia valley from on high. Mount Verucchio is topped by the Malatesta Fortress, the so-called “Rocca del Sasso”, one of the largest and best-preserved fortresses of the Malatesta family.
After the visit to the Fortress and the surrounding landscapes, head to Rimini. At the crossroads, turn right to Santa Cristina and San Paolo.
At the crossroads to Sant’Ermete, turn right in the direction of Ospedaletto. Once reached the plain and crossed Gaiofana, turn left in the direction of  San Salvatore and left again at the traffic lights to Riccione and Coriano. This last 12-kilometre-long stretch crosses the lush countrysides of the hinterland. Not to be missed in Coriano is the visit to the ruins of the ancient Castle which was commissioned by the Malatesta family around 1440.
At Coriano's traffic lights, turn left to Misano Monte, which is situated about 8 kilometres far from here. The Malatesta Castle of Misano Monte still retains its original entrance gate and part of the tower.
Misano Monte boasts breathtaking views over the beautiful landscape of the Riviera; go down to Misano Cella and, once reached the traffic lights, head to Santamonica. The descent continues up to the final step of our itinerary, Cattolica's sea front.

 
URBINO’S TREASURE

This charming itinerary will help cycle tourists discover the fascinating city of Urbino, an ancient Roman village which in the XV century became one of the most lively courts of the surrounding area under the rule of Federico Montefeltro.
Cycling across the native town of Raffaello, Piero della Francesca, Francesco di Giorgio Martini and further great personalities of the Italian Renaissance is not easy. The 91-kilometre-long difficult itinerary which leads to Urbino is made up of three hard climbs and two descents which require considerable expertise and ability.
From Cattolica's harbour, take the 8-kilometre-long sea front leading to Riccione. The first hard climb is anticipated by an easy 12-kilometre-long climb which leads to  Morciano and Montefiore, the latter dominated by a high hill commanded by the impressive Malatesta Fortress. The mountaintop is situated 385 metres above sea level and boasts breathtaking views over the whole of the territory which once belonged to the Dukedom of Urbino.From Montefiore, climb 6 kilometres up to Tavoleto (426 metres above sea level), which boasts breathtaking views over the lush underlying valleys and the nearby city of Urbino. Although quite short, the road which connects Tavoleto with Urbino is one of the most tiring of the whole itinerary.
The 9-kilometre-long descent which leads to Ca’ Gallo requires considerable expertise, and so does the 14-kilometre-long climb which leads to the so-called “Pearl of the Montefeltro”,  the ancient city of Urbino. This fascinating scenic route gives cycle tourists the possibility to enjoy breathtaking views over the underlying valleys and countrysides.
Once flocked to Urbino, not to be missed are its beautiful old town, small squares, little churches, narrow streets and ancient houses. Charming paved streets give cycle tourists the possibility to reach the highest point of the city, which is dominated by the impressive Albornoz Fortress.
Urbino cherishes plenty of interesting historical and artistic sights, such as the Ducal Palace, the most representative landmark of the elegance of Duke Federico's court, the native House of Raffaello, the Duomo and the church of St. Chiara, which contains precious masterpieces by architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini.
On the way back, go down to Montecchio and Osteria Nuova and then climb to Tavullia. Once in Tavullia, the itinerary becomes less tiring, since the stretch which connects it with San Giovanni in Marignano is a 6-kilometre-long descent; turn left and take the flat road to Cattolica.
 
 
THE VALLEYS OF THE MARCHE

The charming tour which leads cycle tourists across the valleys of the Marches is a 78-kilometre-long medium difficulty itinerary.
From Cattolica's harbour, take the sea front to Gabicce Mare and climb 5 kilometres up to Gabicce's mount, situated 100 metres above sea level.
Next step is Pesaro, situated just in the heart of the enchanting coastline; climb 10 kilometres to the charming villages of Fiorenzuola and Santa Marina Alta. Go down for 5 kilometres in the direction of Fano, and enjoy 10 kilometres of flat road while admiring the lush surrounding landscape.
From Fano, head to the hinterland in the direction of Santa Maria Arzilla, which is accessible after a 8-kilometre-long climb. From Arzilla, situated 150 metres above sea level, go down for 4 kilometres to Santa Veneranda and head to Montelabbate, situated nearly 8 kilometres far from it.Cross Montelabbate's industrial area up to Osteria Nuova. Turn left in the provincial road and go on for 5 kilometres in the direction of Montecchio.
The subsequent 8-kilometre-long climb leads to Tavullia, situated 207 metres above sea level. From Tavullia, head to Cattolica again, the final step of this itinerary across the valleys of the Marches; go on for 13 kilometres (8 of which are characterized by comfortable descents) up to San Giovanni in Marignano; turn right and go on for 5 kilometres up to Cattolica's sea front.
 
 
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN ONFERNO

This itinerary crosses the municipality of Montecolombo, the ancient Roman “Castrum Montis Colombi”. This 29.50-kilometre-long medium difficulty itinerary leaving from Osteria Nuova features 21 kilometres of dirt road. In order to reach Osteria Nuova, follow signs to Morciano di Romagna and go on for 4 kilometres along the Conca Provincial Road in the direction of Mercatino Conca.
Once in Osteria Nuova, turn right in Via Colomba, a narrow street which leads to the bridge across the river Conca, and then climb left in the direction of Montefiore. After few metres, turn right on the 2.5-kilometre-long dirt road featuring plenty of ups and downs.
Once left the dirt road, cross the wood for 4 kilometres and ford the river; then turn right to Molino Rocchi and climb to Castelnuovo at the first crossroads.Once in the main road again, climb up to Piandicastello, situated 480 metres above sea level. Stop in front of the church to take in water from the fountain and then leave again in the direction of the cemetery, along the dirt road which leads to the highest point of the itinerary, situated 552 metres above sea level. This panoramic lookout point boasts breathtaking views over the surrounding mountains, sweet hills, lush valleys and beguiling sea.
A 1.5-kilometre-long steep slope leads to Onferno, which offers cycle tourists a remarkably wide array of different attractions. The naturalistic museum and the famous Caves of Onferno, which were even celebrated by Dante in his Divine Comedy, make the whole of the surrounding area a privileged holiday destination for the lovers of environmental beauties.
After the visit to the caves, climb left in the asphalt road and then go down for over 2 kilometres. Turn right on the dirt road which follows the crest of the surrounding hills and experience a series of difficult ups and downs which will put even expert cyclists to the test. Turn right to Gemmano.
Once in the asphalt road again, turn left and take the provincial road up to Gemmano. A short climb leads to Via Conventaccio; from here, go down along a charming path surrounded by a lush vegetation. Once past the church of Carbognano, the asphalt road leads to the bridge across the river Conca. Go back along the same road up to Osteria Nuova.