Parco Urbano Franco Agosto & the Ronco River Trail
Five minutes by bicycle from Forlì's central piazza, the Parco Urbano Franco Agosto unfolds along the banks of the Ronco river in a long ribbon of poplar groves, wildflower meadows and cycling paths that eventually connect to the wider Via Verde della Costa dei Trabocchi network. It is the city's green lung and its best-kept leisure secret.
The river trail
The main trail follows the Ronco southward from the park into the open countryside, passing under old stone bridges and through stretches of riparian woodland where kingfishers hunt along the shallows in spring. The flat, well-surfaced path is ideal for road bikes, hybrid bikes and families with children.
Within the park itself, several wooden observation platforms extend over the riverbank — good spots for birdwatching at dawn and dusk when herons, egrets and the occasional black stork pass through during migration season (March–April and September–October).
Picnics, cycling and the city connection
The park has shaded picnic areas with tables, a small outdoor gym circuit and a children's playground. On Sunday mornings it fills with Forlì families — cyclists, dog walkers, grandparents with grandchildren — in a scene of uncomplicated, everyday Italian happiness that no organised tour can manufacture.
Bicycles are the ideal way to reach and explore the park. Forlì has a well-developed cycle network and several rental points near the station (look for the Biciforfì scheme). The ride from Piazza Saffi to the park entrance takes under 10 minutes on flat, dedicated lanes.
Extending the day into the Apennines
The Ronco river originates in the Apennine foothills south of Forlì, and the cycling trail can be followed for 20–30 km into increasingly dramatic landscape — limestone gorges, chestnut forests and small hilltop villages like Rocca San Casciano appear as the valley narrows.
For a half-day outing, cycle as far as Meldola (12 km), a handsome small town with a Malatesta fortress and excellent local trattorias serving passatelli in brodo — the thick, ricotta-and-breadcrumb pasta that is Romagna's cold-weather comfort dish.
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