Altaterra - Trekking to the Ripa del Lamento

A trek in the heart of Alta Valmarecchia

The Ripa del Lamento is one of the natural wonders of Casteldelci, a small medieval village nestled in the northwestern corner of the Province of Rimini, where Emilia-Romagna meets Marche and Tuscany. It is here that the youth association Altaterra A.P.S. organizes a guided trek that leads hikers along a loop route to this imposing rocky wall, an authentic symbol of the Senatello valley landscape.

The route

The excursion is a loop of about 6 kilometers, with an elevation gain of about 320 meters and a total duration of about two hours of walking. The trail is suitable for everyone, although it has some sections that require attention, and winds through woods, ancient paths, and panoramic ridges from which the view extends over the entire Alta Valmarecchia. The start is set from the historic center of Casteldelci, dominated by the ancient bell tower and the sixteenth-century palaces of the village.

The Ripa del Lamento, a geosite

The destination of the trek, the Ripa del Lamento, is a geosite recognized by the Emilia-Romagna Region: an outcrop of the Marnoso-Arenacea Formation along the bank of the Senatello stream, where the selective erosion of sandstone and marl layers has shaped over time a sort of natural staircase between the base and the top of the cliff. A place of great geological and landscape value, immersed in what is called the "green sea of Romagna".

Casteldelci and its history

Ancient Castrum Illicis, Casteldelci was one of the most important castles of Montefeltro and still retains an intact medieval charm today. According to tradition, Dante Alighieri stayed here around 1304 with Uguccione della Faggiola. The village, which has just over three hundred inhabitants, is today a small stone jewel surrounded by unspoiled nature, an ideal starting point for those who love hiking away from the main tourist crowds.

After the walk: brunch at the EcoPark

For those who wish, the experience concludes with a convivial brunch at the EcoPark of Casteldelci, a natural area surrounded by greenery and crossed by thematic and historical trails. A moment of sharing that well represents the spirit of the Altaterra association, born from the initiative of the young people of the town to enhance the territory and its traditions.