Cycling with kids
Pesaro to Fano by bike with kids: the coastal cycle path
Updated 3 November 2026. Between Pesaro and Fano you ride on the flat, on a mostly paved path that is part of the Ciclovia Adriatica. This guide explains what the route is really like, where the sea disappears from view, which sections are still being built and two easy ways to do it with little ones without wearing them out.
What this cycle path is
The path linking Pesaro and Fano is a section of the Ciclovia Adriatica, the long cycling route that follows Italy's Adriatic coast. The national tourism portal italia.it describes the Fano to Gabicce stretch as about 36 km in total: the part between Pesaro and Fano is only a portion of it, and the best one for a family outing because there are no climbs.
What the path is like
- Flat: no tough gradients, so children can keep a steady pace without having to push their bikes uphill.
- Almost entirely paved: fine for city bikes, trailers and child seats. There are a few short stretches with a different surface: take them slowly.
- Not always by the sea: in some places between Pesaro and Fano the path squeezes between the railway and the main road. The scenery is less attractive there and you cannot reach the beach directly, so do not promise the kids a swim at every stop.
Sections under works: what to check
The Comune di Fano is working to complete some sections of its cycle network, including the route towards the Metauro river. This means the path can change from one season to the next: a new piece may open, another may be closed for works with a detour. The evening before, look at the latest news on the Comune di Fano website and, once you are on the road, follow the signs on site.
How long is it? Measure your own route
We do not give an exact distance between the two towns, because it varies a lot with your starting point, where you choose to finish in Fano and any detours around works. The most reliable way is to open a navigation app, select cycling mode and plot your own route from Pesaro to Fano: you will see the length and the estimated time and can judge whether it suits your children's legs.
Two ways to ride it with kids
1. Part of the way, then back. With small children this is the most relaxed option: set off from Pesaro, ride for as long as they are enjoying it, stop for a snack and come back the same way. A good rule is to turn round when they have used half their energy, not when it has run out, because the return leg is as long as the outward one.
2. All the way to Fano and back by train. With older kids you can ride to the end and take the train from Fano back to Pesaro. The rules for taking bikes on board depend on the type of train and the period: check them on the Trenitalia website before leaving, together with the times of trains back, so you are not stuck at the station with no plan B.
What to bring and how to plan
- Helmets for every child, including those in a child seat.
- Plenty of water and a snack: along the stretches between railway and main road there is not always a café nearby.
- A morning start: you ride in the cool, the path is quieter and you have time to spare if something goes wrong.
- Frequent breaks: many short stops work better than one long one, especially for new riders.
- A charged phone with the route saved, handy if you meet a detour for works.
From Pesaro: join the Bicipolitana
Pesaro's urban cycle network is called the Bicipolitana and is organised in coloured lines, like an underground map. It is the easiest way to get out of the centre and reach the coast without mixing with traffic. Lines, map and rental are explained in our guide to the Pesaro Bicipolitana; more family rides are in cycling in Pesaro.
Once you reach Fano
In Fano the day can carry on on foot: the beach, the historic centre and the MEMO museum are the stops children like best. You will find ideas in our guide to Fano with children from Pesaro. If you chose to come back by train, keep an eye on the time so you can get to the station without rushing.
Your base in Pesaro: Nuovo Fiore
You will find Nuovo Fiore in the old town, at Via Barignani 60. The apartment offers guests free bicycles as well as a private garage. Pesaro station is about 850 metres away, convenient if you come back off the train with your bikes. Two bedrooms and two bathrooms make the evening easier after a day in the saddle.
Frequently asked questions
How many kilometres is it by bike from Pesaro to Fano?
It depends on where you start and where you want to finish, so we do not give a fixed figure: plot the route in a navigation app set to cycling. For reference, italia.it describes the whole Fano to Gabicce stretch of the Ciclovia Adriatica as about 36 km.
Is the Pesaro to Fano cycle path suitable for children?
It is flat and almost entirely paved, which makes it one of the easiest rides in the area. With young children, though, it is wiser to ride only part of it and turn back, or return by train, and to check beforehand which sections are under works.
Do you ride along the sea the whole way?
No. In some places between Pesaro and Fano the path runs between the railway and the main road, so you cannot always get straight down to the beach. Plan your seaside breaks where the route comes back to the shore.
Can you take bikes on the train from Fano back to Pesaro?
It is a handy way to avoid riding the same way back, but the rules for carrying bikes vary by train and by period. Before you set off, check conditions, any fees and the timetable on the Trenitalia website.
Are there works on the cycle path towards Fano?
Yes, the Comune di Fano is completing some sections, including the cycle route towards the Metauro river. The situation changes over time: read the latest updates from the Comune di Fano before your trip.
Read also: Nuovo Fiore · Pesaro Bicipolitana · Fano with children