STAGE 5: Fossara Island – Valdolmo (44 km)

The fifth stage of the Frasassi MTB Tour brings to confront the massif of the Mount Catria (1,701 m), a magnificent mountain on which stands, nestled and squeezed between the sides of the mountain, the world-famous Hermitage of Fonte Avellana, where Dante Alighieri was a guest and sings about it in his Paradiso. A stage of great physical commitment and great immersion in nature, offering sublime views and rewarding routes.

Technical description:
The path of 43.5 Km features two long and beautiful climbs, always on comfortable cart tracks: the first one (11 km) that from an altitude of 510 meters rises to 1,360 in the locality Nettle Plain, on the southern slope of Mt. Catria; the second (8.5 km) passes through Poggio Prato Tondo (1,012 m) to the Mount Witch (1,278 m).

Length: 44 km
Uphill elevation gain: 2135 m
Downhill elevation gain: 2100 m
Highest point: 1370 m
Lowest point: 420 m
Type of surface: mixed

Technical tips:
Particularly in summer, a good water supply is recommended to cope with the long climbs without sources. It is necessary to have the main spare parts for your bike with you. With, or following rain, it is possible to encounter stretches with mud. In this fifth stage, more than 15 km are covered at an altitude between 900 and 1300 m: therefore, even in summer, it is good to have a windproof jacket with you. For the same reason it is possible in early spring or early fall to find the last or first snows.

Commune of departure: Scheggia and Pascelungo
Starting location: Fossara Island
Municipality of arrival: Sassoferrato
Finish location: Valdolmo

Recommended period: April to October

The Frasassi MTB Tour is a route around the medieval town of Fabriano,inland from Ancona, between the Gola della Rossa and Monte Cucco Nature Parks.
You ride MTB in picturesque valleys bordered by the main Apennine reliefs of the Umbrian-Marchigiana ridge, in a ring route of about 225 km.

There are 6 recommended stages (30/45 km each), to be tackled with trained legs. The total elevation gain uphill is 9500 meters.
Starting base is Genga, an ancient medieval village, famous for the Frasassi Caves.