With less than six months to go until the start of the 2026 edition of Appenninica MTB Stage Race, organizers A.S.D. Happy Trail MTB have officially unveiled the course for the eighth edition of the multi-day MTB race. From June 22–26, 2026, riders will tackle the ridgeline of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines in a demanding 310 km route with 11,000 meters of elevation gain.
The 2026 edition marks a year of strong continuity for Appenninica. Following the outstanding feedback received after last year’s edition – which introduced the new early-summer calendar slot and the five-stage format – organizers have chosen to maintain the same race villages that hosted Appenninica 2025. The race will once again start from Lizzano in Belvedere, with the middle stages based in Riolunato before the grand finale in Castelnovo ne’ Monti, on a journey crossing the provinces of Bologna, Modena, and Reggio Emilia.
As already seen last year at the foot of the Bismantova Rock, 2026 will once again see the routes of Appenninica MTB Stage Race and the Giro d’Italia cross paths. One of Appenninica’s iconic climbs, Corno alle Scale, will feature in the Corsa Rosa with a stage finish scheduled for May 17, 2026. Just over a month later, A.S.D. Happy Trail MTB will pay tribute to this milestone with a special stage.
“The routes of Appenninica MTB Stage Race and the Giro d’Italia are crossing paths once again, and we couldn’t be happier,” say Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno, co-organizers of Appenninica MTB Stage Race. “Corno alle Scale has always been at the heart of our race, and we’re thrilled it can enjoy this additional spotlight. The course will broadly follow the 2025 layout, but there will be new elements, including KOMs and time bonuses, to make the racing even more spectacular.”
THE STAGES: FIVE DAYS OF PURE RACING
The action kicks off on Monday, June 22, with a loop stage starting and finishing in Lizzano in Belvedere, in the village of Vidiciatico. The “Monte Pizzo” stage, with its 34 km and 1,600 meters of climbing, immediately introduces some surprises: a fast, flowing course enriched with technical and dynamic sections. A true appetizer for what awaits riders throughout the week.
Tuesday’s “Corno alle Scale Dressed in Pink” stage on June 23 takes things up a notch. The first 11 km will retrace the paved climb tackled by the Giro d’Italia, passing through Madonna dell’Acero. After a further 3 km of dirt road, riders will reach 1,779 meters of elevation, where the KOM will be set at Scaffaiolo Lake. From here, the route continues into the Modena area before reaching Riolunato, after 56 km and 2,300 meters of climbing.
Day three, Wednesday, June 24, features a loop stage starting and finishing in Riolunato, covering 52 km with 1,700 meters of elevation gain. The “Appenninica Ridge” is arguably the most scenic stage of the edition, with the climb to Monte Albano and a passage along the border between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. Along the way, riders will cross the Via Vandelli and the Giro del Diavolo above San Pellegrino in Alpe.
Thursday, June 25, brings the feared “Mountain Queen Stage,” the longest day with its punishing 88 km and 3,000 meters of climbing. From Riolunato to Castelnovo ne’ Monti, the route will touch Passo delle Radici, Giovarello, and Lama Lite, before opening up onto the spectacular view of the Bismantova Rock, now a globally recognized symbol of Appenninica MTB Stage Race.
The grand finale on Friday, June 26, features a loop around Castelnovo ne’ Monti covering 58 km with 1,400 meters of elevation gain. The trails of Monte Ventasso take center stage on a technically demanding course, where mental reserves after five days of racing will matter as much as physical strength. The effort will be rewarded by the unique view of the Bismantova Rock before riders don the coveted finisher’s medal.
LIMITED SPOTS REMAINING
Only a few spots remain for the 2026 edition of Appenninica MTB Stage Race. The “Regular Registration” phase will remain open until March 31, 2026 (or until sold out), but there’s no time to hesitate – the race is selling out fast. As in recent editions, Appenninica has chosen to maintain a limited field size to prevent trail overcrowding and ensure all participants receive the highest standard of on-course support.