Monte San Bartolo and Gabicce… walking along the roof of the world
''The desire to reach a place, to want to take ''one more step'' to conquer it, to finally sit in the sun and listen to the fragrant sound of the sea, together''.
(Cit. 4 Emme)
Travel is also this. Discovery, desire, emotion, nature, sea, ingredients that we can find in the area of Gabicce and Monte San Bartolo, along an itinerary that borders Romagna to then give you a new point of view to see the world from.
Starting from Gabicce Mare and going up the scenic route, after just a few kilometers you arrive at Parco San Bartolo, a spectacular cliff on the Adriatic Sea which reaches its highest altitudes on the ''Roof of the World'' itinerary and in the villages of Casteldimezzo and Fiorenzuola di Focara.
The mountain emerges from the water from narrow beaches made of pebbles and sand, and then it rises in an undulating succession of rocky crags and valleys, interspersed with sheer cliffs hanging over the sea.
The landscape is wonderful, and the view enchants and envelops everything in an almost mystical embrace that puts you at peace with the world.
And speaking of the "world", the plateau which in cartography is indicated by the toponym "la Montagnola" (196 m a.s.l.) is definitely worth a visit; it is known as the "roof of the world" for its splendid panoramic view.
And it is right there, on the Roof of the World, that your eyes are filled with all the shades of blue and green of the sea, and on the horizon you get the impression of actually seeing the curvature of our planet.
In April and/or May the whole area will be filled with the yellow bloom of broom, which accompanies the walk along the Ripe di Casteldimezzo Trail up to Vallugola.
In some places, there are still remains of the past presence of man, who also carried out agricultural activities on the seaward side of the promontory.
It is a magical but also a very delicate place that requires the visitor’s utmost attention and respect for the places.
In some places, there are still remains of the past presence of man, who also carried out agricultural activities on the seaward side of the promontory.
It is a magical but also a very delicate place that requires the visitor’s utmost attention and respect for the places.
Nature, in its flora and fauna as a whole, is the great star of these places, also because we are inside one of the 4 nature reserves of the Marche region.
But the real beauty is given by a coast made up largely of living cliffs - a real rarity for the Adriatic - and by small and hidden beaches, which alternate among sand, stones, and rocks.
An absolute must-see, for example, is the Baia Vallugola beach or the Fiorenzuola di Focara beach.
And if you are not tired of this dip into nature, you can also become enchanted by the beauty of some wonderful hamlets located along the Panoramic road, including Fiorenzuola di Focara and Casteldimezzo made even more spectacularly beautiful by the view of the enchanting villas, the Renaissance Villa Imperiale and the seventeenth-century Villa Caprile.
Fiorenzuola di Focara was created as a fortress, and today it is one of the four castles in the area built for defensive purposes between the 10th and 13th centuries. The hamlet maintains its alleys and squares intact, taking everyone back to the past!
Casteldimezzo, once called Castrum Medii, is perhaps the hamlet with the most beautiful panoramic view, a real natural balcony, located halfway between Fiorenzuola and Gabicce Monte. In the small historical village center it is possible to visit the Sanctuary of the Holy Cross and admire part of the ancient city walls.
The park Authority has prepared 4 walking itineraries that lead to the discovery of different areas and focus on different themes: nature, hamlets, sea, and history.
For all these itineraries it is essential to wear comfortable shoes and have appropriate clothing. We recommend dressing in layers!
And in fact, although the whole area can be crossed by bike or on foot, it is perhaps a "slow visit" - on foot - that is most deserving.
Upon your return to the Rimini Riviera, you will discover that you have dedicated time to and thoughts about your real desires, that you can embrace a poem in front of the sea, share new recipes and new flavors and laugh at every horse encountered along the way.
For information
Ente Parco Naturale Regionale del Monte San Bartolo
Piazza Dante Alighieri, 1
Fiorenzuola di Focara - 61121 Pesaro (PU)
