By bicycle
The Capuchin Trail on Two Wheels: Itinerary, Tips, and Stages
The bike version of the Cammino dei Cappuccini is a 404 km itinerary (ascent 12,448 m, descent 12,624 m; maximum 1,310 m, minimum 126 m) that starts from the Sanctuary of Blessed Benedetto, at the Capuchin convent in Fossombrone (PU), and crosses the internal ridge of the Marche to the Sanctuary of San Serafino da Montegranaro, in Ascoli Piceno. A route that touches all the places linked to the birth of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, amidst spirituality, nature, and history.
The route, created in collaboration with Marche Outdoor, is designed for cycling tourism enthusiasts. In several sections, it differs from the walking path, following routes specifically designed to offer the best experience on two wheels.
The route winds through gravel roads, mountain and country trails, dirt roads, and paved sections, always on secondary roads, with little or no traffic. It can be traveled with a Gravel or Mountain Bike, without particular technical difficulties, except for the typical elevation changes of the Marche hinterland. Some short, more challenging sections can be tackled on foot, accompanying the bike. For those not very trained, the use of an e-bike is recommended.
The bike variants do not have dedicated signage: the cycling pilgrim must therefore download and follow the GPX tracks available for free below.
Below, the material and useful information for your experience:
- GPX tracks of the route and technical data of each stage (if you want to download the entire path in a single track click here)
- Shops and workshops for bicycles along the route
- Practical and technical advice for the cycling pilgrim
For accommodation facilities, we refer you to those indicated for pilgrims, with the caution to verify that they are bike-friendly WHERE TO SLEEP.
The GPX tracks
The standard route is divided into 10 days considering fairly challenging stages from 32 to 50 km per day (with significant elevation changes), but each can adapt according to their abilities and needs, anticipating or extending the stage point. In particular, on stages no. 4, 7, and 8, which have considerable elevation changes, we suggest the option of dividing the stages in two for the less trained.
1st STAGE: FROM FOSSOMBRONE TO CAGLI – GPX track
Technical data: 33.0 km, ascent 652 m, descent 701 m; maximum 451 m, minimum 143 m
Rest points: Gola del Furlo – Cagli
2° STAGE: FROM CAGLI TO PASCELUPO – GPX track
Technical data: 38.7 km, ascent 1,175 m, descent 918 m; maximum 780 m, minimum 256 m
Rest points: Frontone – Monastero Fonte Avellana – Pascelupo
3° STAGE: FROM PASCELUPO TO CERRETO D’ESI – GPX track
Technical data: 41.7 km, ascent 1,067 m, descent 1,329 m; maximum 732 m, minimum 253 m
Rest points: Fabriano – Cerreto d’Esi
4° SATE: FROM CERRETO D’ESI TO CUPRAMONTANA – GPX track
Technical data: 41.9 km, ascent 1,626 m, descent 1,390 m; maximum 980 m, minimum 173 m
Rest points: Albacina – Poggio San Romualdo – Cupramontana
N.B. If the stage is considered too challenging, it can be divided into two and a stop can be made at Poggio San Romualdo
5° STAGE: FROM CUPRAMONTANA TO SAN LORENZO DI TREIA – GPX track
Technical data: 36.5 km, ascent 1,304 m, descent 1,299 m; maximum 717 m, minimum 240 m
Rest points: Apiro – Cingoli – San Lorenzo di Treia
6° STAGE: FROM SAN LORENZO OF TREIA TO CAMERINO – GPX track
Technical data: 31.9 km, ascent 1,147 m, descent 1,044 m; maximum 761 m, minimum 227 m
Rest points: San Severino Marche – Camerino
7° STAGE: FROM CAMERINO TO SARNANO – traccia GPX
Technical data: 50.1 km, ascent 1,685 m, descent 1,785 m; maximum 1,310 m, minimum 349 m
Rest points: Fiastra/ San Lorenzo al Lago – Sarnano
N.B. If the stage is considered too challenging, it can be divided into two and a stop can be made at Fiastra/San Lorenzo al Lago
8° STAGE: FROM SARNANO TO MONTEFALCONE APPENNINO – GPX track
Technical data: 48.0 km, ascent 1,845 m, descent 1,589 m; maximum 883 m, minimum 312 m
Rest points: Montefortino – Amandola – Lago di San Ruffino – Montefalcone Appennino
N.B. If the stage is considered too challenging, it can be divided into two and a stop can be made at Montefortino or Amandola.
9° STAGE: FROM MONTEFALCONE APPENNINO TO CASTIGNANO – GPX track
Technical data: 37.0 km, ascent 870 m, descent 1,175 m; maximum 755 m, minimum 340 m
Rest points: Force – Rotella – Castignano
10° STAGE: FROM CASTIGNANO TO ASCOLI PICENO – GPX track
Technical data: 44.7 km, ascent 1,041 m, descent 1,344 m; maximum 466 m, minimum 126 m
Rest points: Offida – Appignano del Tronto – Ascoli Piceno
E-BIKE trips with a cycling guide
Guide: Chronobike
Difficulty: medium-challenging
From Fossombrone to Camerino
For info and reservations: info@passamontagnaviaggi.it
For more details click here
Guide: Chronobike
Difficulty: medium
From Camerino to Ascoli Piceno
For info and reservations: info@passamontagnaviaggi.it
For more details click here
Shops and workshops where you can rent and repair bicycles along the route
For each town crossed by the route, we indicate the shops and workshops where it is possible to rent or repair the bicycle, with the relevant phone numbers and websites.
Fossombrone
Green Bike (rental and workshop) – tel. 0721 714701 – www.green-bike.it
Gola del Furlo
Marche and Bike (rental and workshop) – tel. 0721 700002 – 342 529 5769 – www.marcheandbike.it
Cagli
KmZero Outdoor Experience Cagli (rental) – tel. 371 462 3287
Mastini Cicli (workshop) – tel. 0721 781213 – www.mastini.eu
Frontone
Mike & Bike (rental and workshop) – tel. 380 745 8741
Fabriano
Basecamp 523 (rental and tourist services) – tel. + 39 371 44 93 100 – www.basecamp523.com
Mister Bici (rental and workshop) – tel. 0732 22060 – www.misterbicifabriano.it
Free Ride Fabriano (rental and workshop) – tel. 379 225 8670 – www.freeridefabriano.it
Cerreto d’Esi
No rental and workshop available
Poggio San Romualdo
No rental and workshop available
Cupramontana
No rental and workshop available
Cingoli
Piangerelli e Quintabà (workshop and rental) – tel. 0733 279311 – www.piangiarelliquintaba.it
E-bike Agostinelli (rental) – tel. 339 297 1314 – www.agostinelliebikecingoli.com
San Lorenzo di Treia
OH! Outdoor Hostel San Lorenzo – (e-bike rental and self-repair workshop) – tel. 0733-28.00.35 – https://ohsanlorenzo.it/
San Severino Marche
FM bike (rental and workshop) – tel. 333 798 1184
Camerino
Fantic Rent e-bike Sottocorte Village (workshop and rental) – tel. 377 137 3895
E-bike contram s.p.a. (rental) – tel. 333 616 3540
San Lorenzo al Lago (Fiastra)
Marche Bike Tour (rental and workshop) – tel. 334 291 8833 – www.marchebiketour.com
SIBIKE Outdoor &Travel (rental and workshop) – tel. 342 852 3096
Sarnano
Sibillini E-Bike Vallesi (rental and workshop) – tel. 3339626966 – www.sibilliniebike.it
Marche Bike Tour (rental and workshop) – tel. 334 291 8833 – www.marchebiketour.com
Amandola
Amando..la E-Bike (rental) – tel. 342 044 3923 – www.amandolaebike.com
E Bike Bar La Stazione (rental and workshop) – tel. 0736848749 – www.barlastazione.it
Montefalcone Appennino/Force
Roberto Brega Ciclo Moto Fitness (rental) – N.B. The shop is located in Comunanza, with a 5 km detour from the main route, when descending after Montefalcone on SP 238 – tel. 0736 844244
Rotella/Capradosso
No rental and workshop available
Castignano
No rental and workshop available
Offida
No rental and workshop available
Appignano del Tronto
Officina Paolo Priori (workshop) – tel. 0736 86635
Ascoli Piceno
Brian’s Bike Shop (rental and workshop) – tel. 0736 46271 – www.briansbikeshop.it
Ceci Moto e Bike (rental and workshop) – tel. 0736 45545 – www.cecimoto.eu
Practical and technical advice for the cycling pilgrim
The self-sufficient cycling pilgrim should use a bike suitable for all routes, asphalt, gravel, dirt, so the most suitable bike could be a mountain bike equipped with all the supports for bags, double water bottles, and racks, or one of the modern gravel bikes or e-bikes always equipped with the above supports. Better a reliable and sturdy bike rather than a light and high-performance one.
As for the gear group ratio, it would be preferable to have a double chainring and a rear cassette with the largest cog having at least 36/40 teeth.
For the brakes, most bikes currently on the market have disc brakes, so it is advisable to carry spare brake pads; if the bike has the classic brake, do not forget the replacement pads.
The wheels will certainly be up to the task if checked and serviced before departure and if equipped with sturdy tires with a minimum of lateral grip to tackle dirt roads; those using tubeless tires must have the necessary repair equipment; if with inner tubes, in addition to spare tubes, also the repair kit.
Regarding luggage transport, different systems can be adopted depending on the season. For example, if the trip is undertaken in summer, there are fewer things to carry, and it is possible even in a bikepacking configuration, without the need to install racks on the bike, while in other seasons it would be preferable to install a rear rack where to attach convenient waterproof travel bags. In any case, a handlebar bag and others to attach to the frame triangle are very useful. In summer, do not forget the double water bottle.
For clothing, the advice is to use layered clothing (avoiding double garments), certainly specific cycling clothing much more comfortable and suitable for pedaling and storing small items on the body.
Do not forget the cycling gloves both long and half-finger, they protect from possible falls and also from possible cold.
The shoes should be sturdy and with a stiff sole, both with SPD pedals and FLAT pedals, keeping in mind that they should be comfortable for walking as well as pedaling.
The helmet is mandatory.
• Bike bags
• Water bottles
• Shoes (spd/flat)
• Helmet
• Glasses
• Gloves (short/long)
• 2 inner tubes
• Tire lever
• Mini pump
• Patch and glue kit
• Compressed air cartridges with valve
• Spoke wrench
• 2 spare spokes for your wheels
• Chain tool
• Wire
• Multitool
• Pliers
• Lubricating oil
• 2 inflate and repair
• Electrical tape
• Bungee cords
• Front/rear lights
• Charger/usb
• GPS
• Maps/guides
• Energy bars
• First aid kit