Paths and excursions on Mount San Bartolo in the Marche region in the province of Pesaro

Monte San Bartolo and Mount Ardizio are the two hills that border, respectively to the north, towards Rimini and to the south, towards Fano, the city of Pesaro, a quiet town on the Adriatic Sea and the first province in the extreme north of the Brands. Pesaro, located on the coast about 30 kilometers from Rimini, is a seaside town far quieter than the best known sister of Romagna and is united with Urbino in the province of Pesaro-Urbino. Both represent places rich in history and culture, of important architectural testimonies, and offer a lot to see and experience to those who come to visit them.

The San Bartolo Natural Park was established in 1994 and has been operating since 1997; it is one of the four protected oases of the Region. Many know about the beauty of San Bartolo who stole his heart also from Luciano Pavarotti who had his favorite home here, but not many know the many paths that, disentangling among the broom that cover these slopes, lead to extraordinary landscapes and breathtaking views. Walking through the dense network of paths means immersing yourself deeply into the surrounding atmosphere and establishing osmotic contact with the place.

The Park is enclosed between the river Tavollo in the north and the Foglia river to the south, and is characterized by the long stretch of high coast with a live cliff, rare, among other things, in the amp; #39; Adriatic, and from rural landscapes inland. Overhanging walls, coves and valleys alternating with rocky spurs with peaks reaching 200 meters above sea level interrupt the low and sandy beach typical of the Marche Romagna coast. An area of great geological interest, it is not uncommon to find fossil fish and chalk crystals along the thin pebble beaches at the foot of the sea wall. Great harmony in the landscape will immediately strike even the least attentive visitor.

Among the local flora and fauna, the roe deer is in natural expansion; the fox, the badger, the porcine, the hare and the dormer, but also owls, owls, barn owls, barn owls, the peregrine falcon, they find an ideal habitat in this area that represents a point of reference also for migratory birdlife; the pale harrier stops here on the route that leads it from Africa to nesting towards Eastern Europe.

The territory is easily accessible by car, with which you can reach many strategic starting points for exploratory itineraries on characteristic paths. It is also very easy to visit in campers or caravans, and extremely enjoyable is the network of bike paths that allows even those who stay in one of the many hotels in the area, to move without difficulty amp; agrave;, often at no cost, along the 'bike' that unites many parts of the city of Pesaro, including the surrounding territory.

You can enjoy lunches and spend evenings on the premises along the Panoramic Road that runs along the coast of San Bartolo and slows down to districts of Soria and Baia Flaminia, at the gates of the city of Pesaro or goes up to Gabicce Monte towards Romagna. The whole section is dotted with typical restaurants and trattorias that offer excellent tastes of the excellent local gastronomy, rich in taste and genuine flavors, along with views spectacular on the bays and the coastline below. Here are also many farmhouses, - some of which offer only the bed and breakfast service while others instead offer a complete restaurant service, at the choice of customers, - or apartments in rent equipped with garden and terraces, right along the coast, which offer lovely views of the sea below; there are also numerous equipped camping areas that guarantee comfort and comfort even to those who they prefer a holiday full of discovery and adventure. Along the coast and in the cities of Gabicce and Pesaro you can find holiday packages in cheap pensions or in multi-starred hotels equipped with every luxury, conference rooms and private SPAs, which are overlook the Bay or along the coast.

Discover the territory in a three-day program

Path of the Bocca del Lupo. Duration: 3 hours

Departure from the entrance of the San Bartolo road where you can park to continue on foot on the path assisted by the presence of educational signs of botany that describe the more than 40 tree and shrub species present on the territory. The path is largely in the shade and runs along the gardens of Villa Imperiale, a beautiful Renaissance building.

Elm, country maple, oakthorn, hawthorn, robbie, asparagus and dog rose are examples of extremely widespread local flora together with the footsteps of man found in mulberries, figs, in olive trees planted in the fields and along the streets. Along the entire path, spectacular views of the sea below cheer up the walk along this path where you can admire the harmonious presence of man and nature.

visit, perhaps in the second part of the day, to the city of Urbino, rich in history and Renaissance testimonies of absolute importance, where you can visit the Palazzo Ducale with the famous torricini, the Duomo, covered with white marble, the streets and inner squares of the historic village, and the house of Raffaello Sanzio, on one of the main streets.

Path 'Road of the Navy. Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours

The route can be divided into two parts. The first part from the 'Lodges' towards Fiorenzuola di Focara, a village of medieval origin perched on a hill from which you can enjoy a spectacular view. The path is soon immersed in silence and tranquility and through the path of Love arrives in Fiorenzuola. Here, it is possible to have lunch or continue directly towards the sea following a path that makes it easy to view the close view of spurs of live cliff in which it is possible to distinguish clearly the sedimentary layers of sandstones and clays. Finally, you reach a small beach from where, walking for a few minutes north, you can find the characteristic 'cogoli', smooth and rounded sandstone pebbles of the characteristic ocher yellow.

In the afternoon, a visit to the historic citadel of Gradara, with its castle where Paolo and Francesca lived their famous love story, will lead to the heart of the country masterfully restored, where you can also dine, enjoying the view of enchanting landscapes.

Vallugola path. Duration: 2 hours

Take the path after parked in the rest areas along the Adriatic State Road near Case Badioli. The path is not paved and climbs gently first, and then gets steeper, through spectacular broom spots and an extraordinary view of the sea. Then descend towards Baia Vallugola, a small marina with an equipped beach consisting of pebbles, with clear and crystal clear waters.

In the afternoon, going down the opposite side along the Panoramic Road San Bartolo, you can reach Baia Flaminia, a rather wide equipped beach, enclosed among the river Leaf and the shore spur to the north. The center of the city of Pesaro is a few hundred meters away and it is worth visiting Rocca Costanza, an ancient fortress surrounded by a deep moat where exhibitions and cultural events are held; are worth a visit, on this walk on foot, Piazza del Popolo and the palaces that overlook it, and the Rossini theater, dedicated to the famous musician who had his birthplace here and of which you can also visit the birthplace. Numerous places in the center or on the sea where you can enjoy a typical dinner.

How to get there:

car, from the north: motorway A14 Bologna-Taranto exit Cattolica, continue on the SS16 Adriatica until Gabicce. From the south, motorway A14 exit Pesaro, continuing on the SS 423 Urbinate until Santa Maria delle Fabbrecce and following the signs that from here lead to the various accesses to the Park.