Historical Origin of the Name
The name ‘Via dei Borromeo’ refers to the ancient communication route that crossed the Montefeltro area during the medieval period. Although historical sources specifically linking the Borromeo family to this region are limited, the toponym suggests a connection to the old transit routes used by noble families and pilgrims traveling through these lands between the Marche and Romagna regions.
The Borromeo family was one of the most important noble families in Italy, originally from the Lombardy region, who by the 14th century acquired vast estates and possessions. The family gained significant prestige under Vitaliano I Borromeo (1390-1449), who obtained the fief of Arona in 1439 and considerably expanded the family’s domains. Among the most illustrious members of the family is Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584), cardinal and archbishop of Milan, a central figure in the Counter-Reformation.
The presence of the name ‘Borromeo’ associated with this route in Montefeltro may refer to the historical connections between different Italian regions through ancient medieval communication routes, used for commercial, military, and religious purposes. The Montefeltro area, in fact, was traversed by important pathways that linked Romagna to the Marche region and the Apennine hinterland.ninico.
Features of the Route
The Borromeo Way mainly runs along the ridge of Mount San Paolo, reaching an altitude of 864 meters at the summit. The trail offers exceptional panoramic views of the Valconca valley, the Adriatic coast, San Marino, and, on clear days, even the Croatian coast.
The historical route of the Borromeo Way covers over 20 kilometers of the original ancient path, crossing three historic medieval villages: Monte Grimano Terme, Montecerignone, and Monte Tassi. These ancient settlements are important historical landmarks of the Montefeltro area, a region once contested between the powerful Malatesta and Montefeltro families during the Middle Ages.
Technical features of the trail:
- Trail surface: The terrain consists of approximately 40% gravel, 40% dirt road, and 20% asphalt.
- Type: Ridge trails, white roads (strade bianche), and historic mule tracks.
- Accessibility: 100%, the trail is fully accessible.
- Vegetation: The route passes through oak forests, pastures, and areas of Mediterranean scrub.
- Topography: The trail winds along the ridge with continuous ascents and descents, offering a variety of landscapes and technical challenges.
Events and Celebrations
The Borromeo Way has also become famous thanks to the numerous sports events that use it as the main route. The name has been well-known since 2015, when it was first used in the Granfondo of Monte Grimano Terme, and since then it has become a regular event for mountain bike and cycling tourism enthusiasts.”
