The Apennines

The Cesane Mountains

Between Fossombrone and Urbino lie the mountains of Cesane, not far from Furlo Gorge. The Cesare are almost completely wooded and cover an area of ​​1500 hectares.
Until the last century the Cesane forests were completely cut down and used for agricultural purposes, a necessity of this time caused by the poverty.
In 1915 a refurbishment started in a large-scale project, which was repeated over time and completed in 1950.
Thanks to this intervention, this area has become a green lung for all the surrounding area. In the last years several sport association decided to design specific paths, so that today you can hike 16 hiking routes and train with mountain bikes.
Anyone who goes through the Cesane will most likely meet several of the animals that live there, such as fallow deer, wild boars, foxes, deer, owls, hawks and squirrels.

Monte Petrano

The Monte Petrano is a 1162 m high mountain located in the hinterland of Urbino in the Marches. On its north-western side it is separated by the gorge of the Bosso from Mount Nerone, while on its southeast side the Gola del Burano flows between it and the massif of Mount Acuto-Monte Catria. On a northern foothill of Monte Petrano lies the small town of Cagli, which is something like the center of the region. The inner city is crowded with churches, but the most notable building is the Torrione, a thick, rather low tower that looks like a huge giant silo and part of the fortifications.
A major asphalted road passes the summit of Monte Petrano, the north side of Cagli is in fact well developed, since it was the end of a stage of the Giro d’Italia in 2009. The road surface on the south side is brittle in the middle and almost completely lost. The third route to reach the top starts from Palcano, which can be found on some maps, is not asphalted for a few kilometers and is not suitable for racing bicycles.
Monte Petrano is 40 km from Il Giuggiolo.

The Monte Catria

The Monte Catria is a 1701 m high mountain close to Urbino in the Marches. Supposedly, he was already regarded as sacred place to the Italian people of the surroundings. The Romans maintained this pagan cult and built some sacred sites on their flanks. The worship of this mountain continued in the Middle Ages as well, in the tenth century, on the north-east side, was built the beautifully concealed monastery of Fonte Avellana, mentioned by Dante Aligheri in his Divina Commedia.
The ascent between the summit of Monte Catria and the neighboring Monte Acuto (1668 m) leads to a paved road from Chiaserna, near Cantiano, and to Frontone, near Cagli. You could also avoid the way, because it is faster and easier to drive through the Gola del Burano, a narrow ravine between Cagli and Cantiano. But then a lonely road winding through a quiet mountain world, which should be seen by anyone, once in a lifetime. It is also in good condition thanks to the visit of the Giro d’Italia in 2009.
The ride along the Monte Catria is the most beautiful route that the region have to offer. The only drawback is that you do not pass the monastery, which is a few kilometers to the east and can be reached via a side road from Frontone.
Monte Catria is 50 km from Il Giuggiolo.

Monte Nerone

The Monte Nerone is a 1525 m high mountain, although it is not the highest mountain of the region – that is the Monte Catria – it is so prominent and majestic that his presence leaves you breathless.
In the summit area there’s a strong man-made precence, with two TV repeaters and two equipped shelters, named Cupa and Corsini.
Going down in altitude, however, the landscape changes, making it a true marvel made of rugged and varied landscapes.
The calcareous nature of the Monte Nerone has given rise to high overhanging walls on which you can practice climbing (Fosso dell’Eremo, Porte del Rio Vitoschio), spectacular gorges destination for canyoning enthusiasts like gorge of Presale, sinkholes and karst phenomena (l’arco di Fondarca, la Balza Forata e la Buca Grande), ruins of ancient castles and monasteries, built by exploiting the imperviousness of the site, up to a wide variety of caves, beloved destination for speleologists.
From the sporting point of view, the Monte Nerone presents an wide choice. There are three roads that lead to the summit, the one that start from Piobbico is considered the most difficult of the Marches for bikers. For hikers there is an extensive network of paths with routes also of considerable difficulty.
In some areas of the mountain is forbidden to hunt, you can find wild boar, deer, hares, squirrels, foxes, hawks, woodpeckers and owls.
The Monte Nerone is 50 km from The Giuggiolo

Marmitte dei Giganti

In San Lazzaro, a small town near the river Metauro, you can admire a unique stone formation in the whole of Central Italy: “Le Marmitte the Giganti”.
This form of erosion, also known as the “cauldron”, can be seen from a bridge, the Ponte di Diocleziano, or from a path along the canyon.
The “Marmitte dei Giganti” is 12 km from Il Giuggiolo.