viale Mare, Gabicce Mare, +39 0541 954192
the San Bartolo Park.
#nature1,579 hectares of unspoilt nature
Behind Gabicce Mare lies the Monte San Bartolo Nature Reserve, a 1,579-hectare protected area running along the Adriatic coast between Gabicce and Pesaro. Mediterranean scrubland meets clay gullies, panoramic trails overlook the sea and ancient villages like Fiorenzuola di Focara seem suspended in time.
Unlike the long flat beaches of the Riviera, the San Bartolo is a landscape of contrasts: steep cliffs, silent valleys, the scent of broom and myrtle. A green lung just minutes from Hotel Gloria — perfect for those who want to alternate beach relaxation with real nature.
Trekking between sea and hills
The park offers over 14 kilometres of coastal trails connecting Gabicce Mare to Pesaro along the cliff edge — paths through juniper and maritime pine with sudden glimpses of the blue Adriatic. The most spectacular is the Sentiero della Costa, which rises and dips between hidden coves and windswept headlands.
No experience needed: routes suit all levels and take 2–4 hours to complete. Hotel Gloria provides maps and personalised tips, and the trailheads are just a short walk from the hotel. Pack your walking shoes — the landscape does the rest.
Cycling through the green
The Monte San Bartolo is laced with gravel roads and tracks perfect for cycling through olive groves and vineyards, with the sea always in sight. The park’s cycle touring routes pass through villages, viewpoints and stretches of Mediterranean scrubland — a slow, beautiful way to explore the hills behind Gabicce.
Hotel Gloria provides city bikes for guests. For those wanting to go further, e-bikes are available to hire in town: even the steeper climbs become manageable, and the view over Gabicce bay makes every effort worthwhile.
Fiorenzuola di Focara
Perched on the park’s highest headland, Fiorenzuola di Focara is a handful of stone houses overlooking a breathtaking panorama: from here you can see the whole bay of Gabicce, the harbour, and on clear days even the Croatian coast. Dante mentioned it in the Divine Comedy (Purgatorio, canto V) for the fierce wind that batters it.
The village is reachable on foot or by bicycle directly from the hotel and is the perfect spot for a sunset to remember. Wander through silent alleyways, breathe in the scent of scrubland, and understand why these hills have remained almost unchanged for centuries. Not to be missed.
