UPDATE FIRST STAGE
Due to an interruption on the natural trail along the Marecchia river, it is necessary to take the easier detour described below, which is 1 km longer than the official one. Download the GPS track.
When in Vergiano, after reaching the SP Marecchiese, instead of turning right onto via Pergola (Photo 1),
Photo 1
continue straight on the cycle/pedestrian path next to the provincial road, up to Sant'Ermete (1.1 km), then at a small roundabout take Via Savina on the right (Photo 2)
Photo 2
Cross it on the pedestrian crossing and continue on the other side for 0.9 km (initially on the pavement), until you find Via Sarzana on the left (Photo 3)
Photo 3
Take and follow it all the way until it ends on Via Traversante Marecchia, in San Martino dei Mulini (1.5 km - photo 4)
Photo 4
Here you turn right; after passing a roundabout, cross it continuing on the opposite side, first on the pavement and then on the cycle/pedestrian path. After passing a cemetery and a plant nursery, follow the cycle path that turns left onto Via Pallada (Photo 5)
Photo 5
and then back on the parallel path to the Traversante Marecchia, ending in a small car park where you rejoin the Cammino route.
Those who need to reach Santarcangelo must leave the car park on their right, taking the provincial road and crossing the bridge over the Marecchia. The Cammino continues, leaving the car park on your left side (Photo 6)
Photo 6
from the barrier, follow the signs that lead in a few meters to the nature trail along the river, at which point you turn left and continue towards the mountain, as per the indications and GPS tracks.
UPDATE SECOND STAGE
New route from Villa Verucchio to Ponte Santa Maria Maddalena
In the first half of the stage the new route reduces the asphalt sections overall and proceeds in a more natural environment, with very panoramic views along the winter variant. After passing the Villa Verucchio cemetery, after 100 meters you’ll reach SP 15 where the new route begins (Photo 1)
Photo 1
You immediately reach the S.S. Marecchiese and cross it at the pedestrian crossing continuing in the direction of the mountain. After passing the parking lot of a supermarket, continue on the parallel Via Ponte uninterruptedly until the bridge over the river thanks to which you pass to the other bank. At the end of the bridge, cross the road continuing keeping left on Via Palazzo. Follow it for about 800 m. until you find the entrance to a cycle path on the left (Photo 2).
Due to maintenance work, the historical naturalistic path on the left side of the Marecchia river, between Piazzale Marecchia and via Molino di Saiano, is closed. We have prepared the detour described below. Download GPX - download KML
Once you reach the entrance to the path (photo 2),
Photo 2
continue straight on Via Palazzo, for about 1.4 km where at the crossroads with Via Poggiolo (photo 3),
Photo 3
the road bends to the left going down towards the river. At the end of the descent you rejoin the path up to the base of the Saiano cliff where it ends (ruins of the Saiano mill).
Here you find a fork between the summer and winter paths (follow the arrows indicating which direction to take - photo 4).
Photo 4
Due to works on the Marecchia river, a section of the route in the Ponte Santa Maria Maddalena area is closed to traffic and the detour described here has been prepared (1.95 km - 25' journey).
Once you reach the barrier, turn right and cross the river ford. On the other bank, take the dirt track on the left and follow it until you reach the parking lot of a restaurant. You exit the gate on the right onto the small asphalt road that goes up, staying on this until it ends at a crossroads where you go down to the left, immediately arriving at the bridge over the river and rejoining the Camino route. Download GPX - Download KML