Monte Terminillo Cycling - Leonessa City Granfondo

A granfondo in the mountains of the Rieti area

The Monte Terminillo Cycling - Leonessa City Granfondo is a road cycling event that brings hundreds of cyclists every late August to Leonessa, an Apennine village in the province of Rieti, in northeastern Lazio. Established in 2025, the event quickly established itself as one of the most demanding and scenic races on the Lazio calendar, thanks to a route that connects the valleys of the Sabina reatina to the high-altitude pastures of the Terminillo massif.

The routes: 141 and 83 kilometers

The start and finish are set in Piazza Sette Aprile, the 17th-century heart of Leonessa, surrounded by porticoes and churches that tell the story of the village. From here, riders descend toward the valley floor, passing through Rieti, Cantalice, Poggio Bustone, and Morro Reatino, along the Rieti basin, a landscape dear to the Franciscan tradition.

• Granfondo, 141 km: the long route continues toward Posta, Bacugno, Cittareale, and Selva Rotonda, briefly crossing into Umbria near Trimezzo, before returning via Sala and Casanova.
• Mediofondo, 83 km: a shorter but equally selective route, sharing the initial section and the final climb with the long race.
• Cycle-touring: a non-competitive event with a lighter loop around Leonessa, designed for those who want to enjoy the landscape without the pressure of a stopwatch.

The decisive moment for everyone is the same: the climb up the Sella di Leonessa, a historic Terminillo pass reaching an altitude of 1,901 meters, which has written important chapters in professional cycling history. This is where the race is often decided, just a few kilometers from the finish line.

The Pedalatium circuit

The granfondo is one of the stages of the Pedalatium circuit, which brings together six events between Lazio and Abruzzo—from Fara in Sabina to Subiaco, from Carpineto Romano to Castelnuovo di Farfa, and up to L'Aquila—under the aegis of ACSI Ciclismo and the technical organization of Krono Service. Many participants follow the entire circuit, which explains the presence of teams from all over Central Italy.

Atmosphere and territory

Leonessa, at 969 meters above sea level, is one of the most characteristic villages in the Lazio Apennines. Founded in the 13th century, it retains a regular urban layout, the Church of San Pietro with its Gothic portal, and a long tradition linked to shepherding and the local potato, a recognized gastronomic specialty of the area. During the granfondo, the town fills with bicycles, families, and enthusiasts, and the race pack—including technical apparel, supplements, and a finisher's medal—is accompanied by a final refreshment area showcasing local products.

The combination of sport and territory discovery is the hallmark of the event: those who arrive to race often stay for the weekend, taking advantage of the Leonessa plateau, the trails of Mount Terminillo, and the proximity to the Umbrian Valnerina.

Who it is for

The Monte Terminillo Cycling is aimed at licensed amateur cyclists for the competitive events, but the cycle-touring formula opens the event to those who ride for passion. The organizers recommend using low gears: the total elevation gain and the altitude of the Sella di Leonessa make the race suitable for those who already have good preparation for climbing.