Crinali della Valdaso Cycle Route - Stage 01 - from Marina di Altidona to Montelparo

Descrizione

We start out from the new cycle/pedestrian bridge that crosses the Aso at the point where it flows into the sea, the junction point between Marina d'Altidona and Pedaso. We immediately begin to climb and in 5.5 kilometres we reach the first town on the ridge, Altidona, at 218 metres above sea level.

Altidona is the first ‘pearl’ to ring in our necklace of villages; a small walled hamlet that still retains the flavour of a medieval village.

We continue along the route until we reach the junction for Lapedona, a twin village that can be reached by a 3.4 km diversions along a converging ridge; another walled village with a splendid view of Fermo and its land.

Back on our ridge, we continue towards Moresco, a small but interesting fortified village characterised by an imposing heptagonal tower that stands out to our left. Just before the village, the small and original small temple of the Madonna della Salute is worth a stop. After visiting the hamlet, we take the road again to enter the historic centre of nearby Monterubbiano, a town of broader scope, rich in churches and historic buildings. The Civic Archaeological Museum inside the former convent complex of San Francesco is interesting.

We continue on our way to Petritoli, another town rich in history and charm. Particularly noteworthy is its tall civic tower, dating from 1832, inspired by religious symbolism through various geometric shapes.

We continue pedalling to reach our sixth town, Monte Vidon Combatte, a small village-castle with a double-door entrance, softened by loggias and arches.

After Monte Vidon Combatte, the road begins to descend to an altitude of 200 m above sea level, then rises again to 300 m in Ortezzano, whose historic core is characterised by a pentagonal tower, evidence of the ancient castle, located in front of the beautiful Suffragio church, with its sinuous Baroque façade, strictly in terracotta.

We continue towards the penultimate town, Monte Rinaldo, with its small triangular square where the clock tower stands out and nearby is the important archaeological site of Cuma. The description of this first section of the cycle route ends after about 46 kilometres and 1200 m of elevation gain, in Montelparo, a town rich in history and points of interest.