THE 2026 ROUTE
Appenninica MTB Stage Race takes place over 5 consecutive days along the Apennine Mountains.
The racecourse rolls from the province to Bologna to the highest mountains in the province of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Monte Cimone, Monte Ventasso). There will be breathtaking stretches on the ridge that forms the border with Tuscany, and then descents and ascents with technical stretches alternating with forests on which to rest.
The route follows, where possible, the MTB trail of the Alta Via dei Parchi straddling the watershed with Tuscany.
It includes the provinces of Bologna, Modena, Reggio Emilia as well as National and Regional Parks along the Alta Via.
The 150 riders will cover about 310 km for a total elevation gain of approximately 11.000 m. Only after crossing the finish line of the last kilometer can the participants wear the coveted finisher medal. The Race Villages are set up in small and medium-size villages scattered along the route throughout the Apennines.
They will be very near the trails or at short distance to better serve the race logistics. What’s more important is that they are authentic and charming towns that are eager to host us. One of the goals of Appenninica is to afford visibility for the territory as an outdoor destination.
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The terrain is very varied and, with the exception of the trails created in the area of the Cimone Bike Park, is all natural trails, forest roads, and for some short connective sections secondary paved roads.
Past riders have called it “real mountain biking” and you’ll have to find out for yourselves what they meant. A full suspension bike is best suited for this course.
As indicated by the elevation gain, the course has steep sections both uphill and downhill but almost all of them rideable by trained athletes with good skills. It will be a course on par with the most famous ultra-endurance races in the world such as Cape Epic and TransAlp.
From a naturalistic point of view, the route crosses parks and forests, faces some river crossing, and runs along alpine-like lakes. The ridge trails are surrounded by spectacular mountain views. Century-old beech and chestnut forests will enchant you. We are committed to creating an event respectful of the environment that hosts it.
The average altitude is between 800 and 1.400 m with peaks at 1.800 m. We’ll start with a time trial that will serve as a short test for legs and equipment. The queen stage of 90 km is a true test of endurance and tactic and you will need to pace your effort well. Stages two and three are at higher altitudes with parts of the legendary ridgeline trails on the Tyrrhenian-Adriatic watershed.
The route is ancient and has seen the Middle Ages, welcomed pilgrims, and the Partisan Resistance has used it during World War II. Fairies and gnomes could be right around the next tree.
Basically, we planned a route that is a postcard for the European mountain range best suited to outdoor activities: the Apennines. We then added some special ingredients that you only find here: extraordinary cuisine and warmth of the people, without forgetting the atmosphere of conviviality for which Emilia Romagna is known and proud.
The stage venues of 2026 edition are:
LIZZANO IN BELVEDERE – BO
RIOLUNATO- MO
CASTELNOVO NE’ MONTI – RE
Monte Pizzo
We begin with a stage that perfectly represents this eighth edition: faster, flowing, yet with lively technical sections — a taste of what the athletes will encounter throughout the week.We are already at altitude in the true Apennine mountains, starting from Vidiciatico, well known for hosting the Appenninica race in the past three editions. Riders will immerse themselves in beech forests, riding along forest roads and single tracks, and will begin to test their legs — some may already try to make a move. It’s a fast stage, featuring a particularly technical section in the second part of the course, before the final climb to the finish.
STAGE 1
Lunedì 22 Giugno, 2026
Distance: 34 km
Climbing 1590 m
Start Location: Lizzano in Belvedere
Finish Location: Lizzano in Belvedere
Corno alle Scale dressed in Pink
The second stage gets serious as we head toward the high mountains of Corno alle Scale, with steep and demanding climbs.
Following in the footsteps of this year’s Stage 9 of the Giro d’Italia, riders will tackle the same ascent (11 km of asphalt already conquered by the Giro pros), passing through Madonna dell’Acero. But Appenninica athletes go further: with an additional 3 km on gravel, we reach 1,779 meters of elevation, where the King of the Mountains (KOM) summit finish is located, within the Corno alle Scale area at Lago Scaffaiolo — nearly 1,000 meters of elevation gain rewarded by an iconic, breathtaking view.
Descending from the summit, we leave the Bologna province behind and enter Modena territory. After a spectacular and technical descent to Fanano, the route climbs again toward Monte Cimone before taking on the second long and beautiful descent of the day — the riders’ favorite from last year’s edition.
The finish is in Riolunato, already a stage host last year, welcoming us again this year for two days.
STAGE 2
Martedì 23 Giugno, 2026
Distance: 56 km
Climbing 2300 m
Start Location: Lizzano in Belvedere
Finish Location: Riolunato
Appenninica Ridge
The third stage promises one of the most beautiful panoramas of the Emilian Apennines. The route climbs Monte Albano and follows the ridgeline border between Emilia and Tuscany, along some of the most rugged peaks of the region. To conquer this summit, riders first pass along the famous Via Vandelli, the historic 18th-century road connecting Modena and Lucca, reaching the “Giro del Diavolo” above San Pellegrino in Alpe, with views over the Apuan Alps. The long descent back to Riolunato should not be underestimated: it runs through natural terrain, along little-used and treacherous trails characterized by rocky surfaces. This is a key point in the race. By now, competitors know each other well — the crucial question is who has conserved energy and who has already spent too much.
STAGE 3
Mercoledì 24 Giugno, 2026
Distance: 52 km
Climbing 1650 m
Start Location: Riolunato
Finish Location: Riolunato
Mountain Queen Stage
It’s time for the Queen Stage. The fourth stage — the longest and with the greatest elevation gain — may bring surprises. The journey across the Emilian mountains continues, moving from Modena province into the Reggio Emilia area, arriving in Castelnovo ne’ Monti, a stage host in all previous editions. The route climbs high once again, passing through Passo Radici, Giovarello, and Lama Lite. Riders remain immersed in authentic forest roads and Apennine trails for hours, until finally the iconic Pietra di Bismantova comes into view.
STAGE 4
Giovedì 25 Giugno, 2026
Distance: 88 km
Climbing 2990 m
Start Location: Riolunato
Finish Location: Castelnovo ne Monti
Windy Way Home
The final stage of Appenninica 2026 is a great classic of the race, always appreciated as the last challenge of the week: Monte Ventasso and Pietra di Bismantova.
àAs always, this course is no joke — both for its technical complexity and the mental strength required to complete it and earn the finisher’s medal. The climb to Lago Calamone stretches for 30 km, and the descent toward the Pietra demands full concentration from the riders.
Attention: Appenninica is always Appenninica — a demanding race until the very last kilometer.
Get ready for the real MTB adventure in the Apennines of Emilia-Romagna!
STAGE 5
Venerdì 26 Giugno, 2026
Distance: 58 km
Climbing 1400 m
Start Location: Castelnovo ne Monti
Finish Location: Castelnovo ne Monti
Appenninica Low Impact
The Appenninica MTB Stage Race organizers are commited to preserving the ecosystem of the region, studying a series of solution to mitigate as far as possible the impact of the race. A specific “Appenninica Low Impact” protocol has been drawn up, which includes concrete action beofre, during and after the race. These actions include the specific decision to limit the number of participants to better protect the environment. In addition to referring to the existing rules of the trail and the code of behavior IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association), the organizers of the Appenninica work with the representatives of the Parks in order to experience the territory with the least possible impact.