Venarotta-Ascoli-Porto d'Ascoli-San Benedetto

7th stage of the coast to coast mountain biking from Orbetello to Porto d'Ascoli. From Foligno to Ascoli, part of the Camino di San Francesco della Marca is followed, with some variations to make it more suitable for cycling travel.

The route runs almost entirely on dirt roads up to the outskirts of Ascoli Piceno.

Note: unfortunately the program did not allow me to cross a ford at the third km. Therefore, an alternative route was designed that resulted in a 20 km and 600 m elevation gain, which must therefore be subtracted from the total. Up to Ascoli, we have, therefore: km 16 - elevation gain 368 m. For the route charted without the variation, see another of my tracks recorded with GPSIES www.gpsies.com/map.do?field=aevizfffsxqurbvn

After visiting Ascoli, we do not go directly to the sea but take a detour to visit the Eremo di San Marco. Upon exiting the city, we reach the Località Piagge and the Eremo di San Bartolomeo. Here begins the path that with a steep ascent of 1.5 km leads us to the Eremo di San Marco. Another stretch of path of 500 m takes us to the ring road that we follow to Colle San Marco. Now we have about 40 km ahead, mainly downhill, to reach the sea. We pass through Folignano, travel a stretch of the Salaria Inferiore, and take a bike path that will lead us to Porto d'Ascoli. Before reaching the sea and the station, we cross the Regional Natural Reserve Sentina. For accommodation convenience, the tour ends in San Benedetto del Tronto.

For the note previously inserted on Ascoli, the overall route develops over 66 km and an elevation gain of 1000 m.