Terminillo Treffen

A winter rally on the "Mountain of Rome"

It takes a certain amount of stubbornness to ride a motorcycle up to 1,200 meters in the middle of February, with snow on the roadside and your breath condensing on your helmet. This is exactly the spirit of the Terminillo Treffen, the winter motorcycle rally held at Pian de' Rosce, on the slopes of Mount Terminillo, in the territory of the Municipality of Rieti (Province of Rieti, Lazio). Not just a passing rally, but an event built around the idea that winter is not a dead season for motorcyclists: rather, it is the moment when the adventure becomes most authentic.

Where it takes place

The headquarters is Pian de' Rosce, a large plateau along the SS4bis road that climbs towards Terminillo, historically nicknamed the "Mountain of Rome" due to its proximity to the capital. The paddock is set up between the food area, stands, and camping zone: yes, because some participants sleep in tents even in sub-zero temperatures, in what the organizers call, quite simply, winter camping. Those who prefer warmth can find hotel accommodations within a 15-45 kilometer radius, in Rieti, the Valle Santa, and the villages of Sabina.

Activities: dirt, snow, and off-road riding

The heart of the program is the mini-raids, short guided routes that develop on both asphalt and dirt or snow-covered ground, through the woods and landscapes of the Rieti Apennines. Alongside the raids, the Treffen has offered for years:

• Off-road riding courses to improve technique, balance, and safety on off-road terrain
• Test rides with motorcycles made available during the weekend
• Custom moped exhibitions, a small parallel cult that has captured the rally's audience
• Axe throwing competitions and group games in the village area

Music, beer, and Rieti cuisine

When darkness falls, the rally changes its skin. The food & drink area remains open until late in the evening with craft beer, cocktails, and local gastronomic specialties: the cuisine of the province of Rieti means, above all, truffles, mushrooms, mountain cured meats, and the famous amatriciana, which has its ancestral home in this very province. DJ sets and rock concerts alternate on stage, while the Saturday evening awards ceremony celebrates the largest groups and those who traveled the most kilometers to get up there.

A growing community

Born as a small gathering among friends, the Terminillo Treffen has surpassed six editions between winter events and summer tests, becoming one of the benchmarks for adventurous motorcycle tourism in Central Italy. The formula has never been set in stone: the organizers claim to be "never the same as ourselves," and every year the program is enriched with something new. What doesn't change is the atmosphere: no catwalks, plenty of sharing, lit fires, and chats among those who have just tackled the same frozen climb.

Why it's worth the trip

For those visiting Lazio outside the classic circuits, the Treffen is also an excellent excuse to discover a mountain less than two hours from Rome: ski slopes, trails, ancient beech forests, and, in the valley, the city of Rieti with its medieval historic center and the four Franciscan sanctuaries of the Valle Santa. A weekend that combines motorcycles, snow, and territory in one of the most underrated areas of the region.