STAGE 2: Colfiorito – Tolentino (50 km)

Having crossed theColfiorito Plateau, we begin to descend along the Chienti valley, which marks the border between Umbria and Marche.
Before reaching Muccia you pass through some small hamlets. In Serravalle, a climb to the beautiful Montelago plateau is strongly recommended. In Gelagna Bassa it is very interesting to visit theold mill, which, perfectly restored and functioning, already supplied electricity to many hamlets in the upper Chienti area in the early 1900s.

From Muccia, the cyclovia continues almost flat along the banks of the Chienti River, which in this stretch feeds successively into the lakes of Polverina, Pievefavera and Lago delle Grazie.
In Sfercia it is possible to visit the Rocca dei Varano, perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Chienti valley to the Sibillini Mountains from above. Also not to be missed is a visit to the medieval villages of Pievebovigliana and Caldarola, with its fine square and wonderful Pallotta Castle.

Leaving the Apennine ridge behind, the landscape becomes hilly, typical of the Marche countryside.
The historic center of Tolentino is reached by crossing the ancient Devil’s Bridge. Visit the square with the clock tower, the beautiful basilica of St. Nicholas and the imposing cathedral of St. Catherine. Very interesting, just outside Tolentino, is a visit to the Castello della Rancia.

Length: 50 km
Height difference in ascent: 300 m
Downhill elevation gain: 860 m
Highest point: 794 m
Lowest point: 204 m
Type of surface: mixed

Place of departure: Foligno
Place of departure: Colfiorito
Municipality of arrival: Macerata
Place of arrival: Tolentino

Recommended period:
March to October

Useful links:
http://www.sibillinibikemap.it/ciclovia-della-val-di-chienti/

State Road 77 of the Val di Chienti has always been an important road connecting Foligno (Umbria) to Civitanova Marche (Marche Adriatic coast), bypassing the Apennine ridge at the Colfiorito Pass (821 m).
With the opening of the modern Val di Chienti freeway, the old state highway route, now almost entirely traffic-free, quickly became a busy cycle route connecting Umbria and the Adriatic Sea.

The entire route of the Val di Chienti Ciclovia is 128 km long, which can be divided into three daily stages.