On our way to the first hills above Forlì, we immediately stop for a break in Bertinoro, which offers sweeping views of Romagna and generous glasses of wine. Here, there are plenty of possibilities for a hike along the paths that lead from the centre into the scenic surroundings of the town.

Let us start by exploring the centre and the area surrounding its walls with the Bertinoro dello Spungone route, named after the rock on which the town rests, used for centuries as a building material. To admire its rosy hues at close quarters you just have to approach its defensive walls, which can be reached from the centre through the Porta del Soccorso and the Sentiero Monte dei Preti trail.

If you are a wine and country trail enthusiast, you cannot miss the Via delle Vigne, an 11-kilometre route that starts in the heart of Bertinoro and leads to an area that has always been devoted to the production of Albana and Sangiovese wines. Skirting cultivated fields and endless vineyards, you will come across a number of historic residences, now converted into wine cellars, and emblematic works such as the Albana Bell, the Monument to the Vine-dresser and the Grape Harvest Road.

From wine to water. The hills around Forlì are rich in beneficial thermal springs known since ancient times, which can be reached with a nice trek. The first route we recommend is the Via delle Acque (Water Road), which connects the centre of Bertinoro with the town of Fratta Terme through a ring-route of almost 10 kilometres, while the second departs from Fratta Terme and reaches Forlì, first crossing the Via Romea Germanica and then following the course of the Ronco river.

The gateway to the magnificent Casentino Forests National Park, it goes without saying that Premilcuore has no shortage of trails for a hike in the countryside. There are some for all tastes and all types of training: from the Monte Rocchetta Panoramic Trail, leading from the old town centre of Premilcuore to the ancient road connecting with Florence via a 4-kilometre path suitable for everyone, to the ring-shaped Panoramic Trail, designed for trained hikers given its length (21 kilometres) and elevation gain (1,200 metres).

Within the Casentino Forests National Park we can also find the Lago di Ponte Nature Trail, a 3.5-kilometre walk that starts out from the lake of the same name and leads into the wild Upper Tramazzo Valley.

Two-wheel enthusiasts, gather round! If your favourite way to discover a new destination is on a bike – city, gravel, MTB, electric, you name it – you should definitely add the hills of Forlì-Cesena to your wish list.

This green corner of Romagna is deeply linked to cycling. Indeed, the famous Granfondo Nove Colli is held here, a 200-kilometre long, historic competition attracting thousands of enthusiasts from all over the world. Moreover, in these places the memory of the ‘Pirate’ Marco Pantani is still alive, who loved to train on the roads of his land.

So off you go to scenic routes such as those connecting the hills to the sea. Starting from Bertinoro, for example, you can reach Cervia by cycling along charming unpaved roads or along the banks of the Savio river, and then enjoy a tour of Cervia’s salt pans or a visit to MUSA, the Salt Museum. Bertinoro is also a good starting point to visit UNESCO heritage cities such as Ravenna, perhaps following in the footsteps of Dante Alighieri, and Cesena, home of the Malatesta Library.

Moving on towards Tuscan Romagna (“Romagna Toscana”, as it is called because until 1923 it was under Florentine rule), there is no shortage of opportunities for a bike ride. Some ideas? The bike tour from Forlì to Dovadola, passing through Castrocaro Terme: a 28-kilometre itinerary that winds along asphalt, cycle paths and white roads surrounded by fields and vineyards, and dotted with castles and fortresses.

For those who prefer cycling at higher altitudes, we recommend two ring tours. The former takes you from Tredozio to Portico di Romagna, touching on fascinating places such as the Acquacheta Waterfall, while the latter links Rocca San Casciano to Premilcuore, passing through small enchanted villages such as Portico and San Benedetto before reaching the Urlante and della Sega waterfalls in Premilcuore. Here, too, there are two cycling routes along the paths that cross its mountains.

Those who have tried it at least once in their life know that horse riding in nature is a truly memorable experience. And you don’t have to be a skilled jockey to enjoy it to the full: all you need to do is take part in a guided tour such as those organised in the Premilcuore area reaching an altitude of 100 metres – the perfect perspective to admire the Apennine landscape in all its splendour.

Speaking of hybrid routes in the province of Forlì-Cesena – i.e., which can be covered both on foot and by bike – we finally recommend the Sentieri della Margherita, a 50-kilometre network of trails that winds through the hills around the town of Rocca San Casciano, as well as the guided tour “Alla conquista della Romagna Toscana” (Conquering Tuscan Romagna): three days wandering through the Parco delle Foreste Casentinesi by electric bike, with stops at Castrocaro Terme, Terra del Sole and the Ridracoli Dam.