Between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna there is the Apennine living room of motorcyclists: find out how to get there

Only 13 kilometers away from the town of Firenzuola and with an altitude of 968 meters above sea level, the Raticosa Pass it is a recommended stop for all two-wheel enthusiasts.

Not only for the spectacular landscape that appears along the route but also for the thrill of tackling, curve after curve, the road that leads to the summit. A route known and loved by many motorcyclists from both Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, who have contributed to making the area and its history known even beyond its borders.

The Raticosa Pass it is located in the province of Florence and is one of the many natural passes present in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines (not far away are also the Passo della Futa and the Passo del Paretaio), on the ancient connection route, used since the Middle Ages by pilgrims and traders, between the cities of Bologna and Florence.

Raticosa Pass by motorbike. The itinerary

Map

Path

Those who want to reach the Raticosa Pass can follow two roads: Regional Road 65 or Provincial Road 7. Both roads have numerous points of interest where it is possible to stop for various historical, cultural and landscape stops.

Those who choose Provincial Road 65 must first follow the signs for the town of Pianoro and then head towards the town of Monghidoro. Curve enthusiasts will find a lot of satisfaction especially in the last kilometres, a short uphill stretch in which to have fun before reaching the top.

Those who instead decide to take Provincial Road 7 for the Raticosa Pass must, first of all, follow the straight road that leads to Imola and then deviate at the bridge over the Idice stream. From this point there are numerous places where it is possible to take a break, such as for example inside the Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell’Abbadessa, a park that developed around karst rock formations (called gypsums) very interesting.

After passing the town of Monterenzio, the last stretch of uphill curves begins which leads to the top of the Raticosa Pass.

Everything you need to know about the Raticosa Pass

A troubled history

The Raticosa Pass it is not only a destination for motorcycle travel enthusiasts but it is also a historically known destination as it is located in a strategic position. The border territory on the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines was in fact the scene of some of the most important battles between the German army and the allies during the Second World War.

The Raticosa Pass was one of the fortifications along the famous Gothic Line, a long defense line built by the Germans in northern Italy to avoid the advance of enemies.

In more recent times the Raticosa Pass it has also become known by lovers of historic cars. In fact it was the finish line of an important automotive climbing time trial, the Bologna – Raticosa, an uphill speed competition valid for the prestigious Italian historic car mountain championship.

Until 1954 it was considered the second longest uphill car race in Europe, with its total length of 42 kilometres. Having reached its thirty-first edition in 2019, the historic race has however undergone changes along its route and today the arrival point is no longer the Raticosa Pass but the nearby town of Livergnano.

The geographical border between Tuscany and Emilia

As we have already said the Raticosa Pass it has long been considered a border point located between two regions: Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. In that part of the Apennines, right near the pass, there are other mountains with a higher altitude, including Monte Canda (1158) and Monte Oggioli (1290).

It is precisely from the latter that one of the largest streams in the Emilian territory, the Idice, originates, which then becomes a tributary of the Reno.

From the Raticosa Pass Furthermore, many interesting towns are also easily reachable, such as the town of San Lazzaro di Savena full of churches of various styles that can be visited and Castel San Pietro Terme, a spa resort known since the Middle Ages.

The ‘bikers’ lounge’

During the spring and summer seasons those who go to Raticosa Pass can attend a real motorbike rally every weekend, as evidenced by the many stickers glued to the sign indicating the arrival at the pass.

With the start of the summer, in fact, the Raticosa Pass it transforms into a real open-air lounge in which motorcyclists coming from Bologna and Florence, but also from many other Italian cities, find themselves admiring the landscape of grassy meadows and fir forests and resting after the curves face to reach the top.

The square of Chalet Raticosausually a quiet and peaceful place, is filled with motorbikes of all kinds and becomes a place of meeting and exchange of information between generations of two-wheel enthusiasts who, taking off their helmets, enjoy the sun and also the goodness that this bar / restaurant offers to its visitors.