If you’re looking for one of Europe’s classic cycling challenges in 2027, Nove Colli deserves a place near the top of your list.
Starting and finishing in the Adriatic coastal town of Cesenatico, Italy, Nove Colli combines the atmosphere of a huge international gran fondo with a demanding ride through the hills of Emilia-Romagna.
The organisers have already confirmed the next edition for Sunday, May 23, 2027. It will be the 56th edition of Nove Colli, whose history dates back to 1971. novecolli.it
In this guide, we’ll cover the Nove Colli 2027 date, routes, climbs, registration information and what you should expect if you’re planning to ride it.
Nove Colli 2027 Quick Facts
| Date | Sunday, May 23, 2027 |
| Location | Cesenatico, Emilia-Romagna, Italy |
| Edition | 56th |
| Long route | 200 km |
| Long route elevation | 3,814 m |
| Medium route | 137 km |
| Medium route elevation | 1,872 m |
| Gravel route | 107 km |
| Gravel elevation | 1,798 m |
| Maximum gradient on long route | 18% |
The official Nove Colli website currently lists these three route options. Final details should always be checked again when the specific 2027 regulations are published. novecolli.it
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When Is Nove Colli 2027?
Nove Colli 2027 will take place on Sunday, May 23, 2027.
The date was officially announced immediately after the 55th edition in May 2026, so riders already have plenty of time to plan travel, accommodation and training. novecolli.it
That early confirmation is particularly useful for international riders, as Cesenatico and the surrounding area become extremely busy around Nove Colli weekend.
Where Does Nove Colli Take Place?
Nove Colli starts in Cesenatico, on Italy’s Adriatic coast.
The opening section takes riders away from the coast before the course heads into the hills of Romagna. After a long sequence of climbs and descents, riders eventually return to Cesenatico for the finish.
The official long-route description currently places the start at Colonia Agip in Cesenatico, with the first 28 kilometres leading toward the first climb near Bertinoro. novecolli.it
It’s one of the characteristics that makes Nove Colli unusual: you begin beside the sea but spend much of the day fighting your way through the Italian hills.
Nove Colli 2027 Long Route
For experienced riders, the headline challenge is the 200 km long route.
The current official route figures are:
- Distance: 200 km
- Elevation gain: 3,814 m
- Maximum altitude: 791 m
- Maximum gradient: 18%
Those numbers don’t fully explain the difficulty.
Rather than depending on one gigantic Alpine climb, Nove Colli repeatedly asks you to climb, descend, recover and climb again. That accumulated fatigue is one of the defining challenges of the event. novecolli.it
The Nine Climbs of Nove Colli
The current long course takes riders over nine classic climbs:
- Polenta
- Pieve di Rivoschio
- Ciola
- Barbotto
- Montetiffi
- Perticara
- Monte Pugliano
- Passo delle Siepi
- Gorolo
The official information for the most recent edition describes these as the nine climbs of the 200 km route. novecolli.it
The first comes relatively early.
Polenta
The first climb begins around kilometre 37 near Bertinoro.
It is approximately 8 km long, averaging around 3%, although sections reach a maximum gradient of 13%. novecolli.it
That may sound relatively gentle, but the biggest mistake is treating the opening climbs as if they were the finish.
There is a very long day ahead.
Pieve di Rivoschio
The next major ascent arrives around kilometre 65.
The official route gives approximately 8 km at 4.7% average, with sections reaching 9%. novecolli.it
Ciola
Around kilometre 77 comes Ciola.
The official route describes roughly 6 km of climbing, with an average gradient of about 5.5% and maximum sections reaching 11%. novecolli.it
From there, the succession of hills becomes increasingly important. Managing effort rather than chasing riders around you is essential if you want to reach the final climbs in good condition.
Nove Colli Medium Route
You don’t have to ride 200 kilometres to experience Nove Colli.
The official medium route is 137 km with approximately 1,872 metres of elevation gain. novecolli.it
For many amateur riders, this could be the better choice.
It still gives you the atmosphere of one of Italy’s major gran fondos and plenty of climbing, but requires substantially less endurance than the full 200 km course.
If you’re entering your first international gran fondo, choosing the shorter route is not a failure. Finishing strongly and enjoying the event is usually far better than spending the final hours simply trying to survive.
Is There a Nove Colli Gravel Route?
Yes.
The current official programme also includes a 107 km gravel route with approximately 1,798 metres of climbing. novecolli.it
However, gravel routes can be more vulnerable to modifications caused by road or trail conditions. The 2026 gravel route, for example, required an adjustment because of a road closure. novecolli.it
If you’re specifically planning to ride gravel in 2027, check the final course information closer to the event.
When Does Nove Colli 2027 Registration Open?
As of August 30, 2026, the organisers have confirmed the event date but have not yet published the complete general registration timetable for Nove Colli 2027 on the official event website.
So don’t rely on unofficial registration dates yet.
For context only, registration for the 2026 edition opened on November 5, 2025. That does not mean 2027 registration will necessarily follow the same schedule. novecolli.it
We will update this guide as soon as the organisers publish the 2027 registration details.
→ Aquí pondría un recordatorio editorial para nosotros: actualizar esta sección en cuanto salga la inscripción.
How Difficult Is Nove Colli?
The 200 km route is a serious endurance challenge.
The combination of 200 kilometres, more than 3,800 metres of climbing and gradients reaching 18% means good general fitness alone isn’t enough. novecolli.it
You need to be comfortable with:
- riding for many hours;
- repeated climbing;
- descending while fatigued;
- eating and drinking on the bike;
- pacing yourself in large groups;
- managing changing weather conditions;
- keeping enough energy for the final part of the route.
A rider who can comfortably complete 120–150 km rides should still build toward longer days before attempting the full Nove Colli.
How to Train for Nove Colli 2027
Your preparation should gradually combine endurance and climbing.
Build Your Endurance First
Don’t begin by obsessing over steep climbs.
Build a solid aerobic base that allows you to ride comfortably for several hours.
As the event approaches, progressively increase the duration of your longest rides.
Add Repeated Climbs
Nove Colli isn’t simply about climbing once.
The defining challenge is doing it repeatedly.
Training rides containing several medium-length climbs are therefore more specific than riding one long climb and going home.
Practice Eating on the Bike
You cannot successfully ride 200 km on breakfast alone.
Use your long training rides to establish a nutrition routine and test the food, drinks and gels you intend to use on event day.
Never make race day the first time you try a new nutrition strategy.
Don’t Ignore Descending
Almost 4,000 metres of climbing also means a lot of descending.
Being relaxed and technically comfortable downhill can save energy as well as time.
Preparing Your Bike for Nove Colli
Give your bike a complete check several weeks before the event.
Pay particular attention to:
- brake pads;
- tyres;
- drivetrain wear;
- chain;
- gearing;
- cleats;
- wheel condition;
- bolts and cockpit;
- saddle position.
Avoid major position or equipment changes immediately before travelling.
Your gearing also matters. Even a strong cyclist can benefit from having sufficiently low gearing after several hours and thousands of metres of climbing.
And when you’re surrounded by thousands of other bikes at a major gran fondo, being able to recognize your own bike quickly is surprisingly useful.
If Italy is on your cycling bucket list, you may also want to read our Maratona dles Dolomites 2027 guide .
Planning your 2027 cycling season? Explore our cycling events 2027 calendar to discover more of the world’s best gran fondos, sportives and endurance cycling challenges.
Is Nove Colli 2027 Worth Riding?
For cyclists who enjoy long-distance events, Italian cycling culture and challenging terrain, Nove Colli is one of the classic European gran fondos to consider.
The full route is unquestionably demanding, but the availability of different distances means the event isn’t reserved only for elite-level amateur cyclists.
If you want the full experience, train consistently, arrive with appropriate gearing and respect the distance from the first kilometre.
Nove Colli 2027 takes place on Sunday, May 23, 2027.
We’ll keep this guide updated as the organisers announce registration details and any changes to the 2027 routes.
Compare Nove Colli with Other 2027 Gran Fondos
If you are comparing major European climbing events, read our guides to Mallorca 312 2027, Quebrantahuesos 2027 and L’Étape du Tour 2027. You can also browse the complete 2027 cycling events calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nove Colli 2027
When is Nove Colli 2027?
Nove Colli 2027 will take place on Sunday, May 23, 2027, in Cesenatico, Italy. The organisers have officially confirmed the date. novecolli.it
How long is Nove Colli?
The current main long route is 200 km with 3,814 metres of elevation gain. There is also a 137 km medium route and a 107 km gravel route. novecolli.it
How many climbs are there in Nove Colli?
The traditional long course features nine principal climbs, including Polenta, Pieve di Rivoschio, Ciola, Barbotto, Montetiffi, Perticara, Monte Pugliano, Passo delle Siepi and Gorolo. novecolli.it
What is the maximum gradient at Nove Colli?
The official long-route information lists a maximum gradient of 18%. novecolli.it
When will Nove Colli 2027 registration open?
The organisers have confirmed the 2027 event date, but as of August 30, 2026 the full general registration timetable for 2027 has not yet been published. The guide should be updated as soon as official registration information becomes available.
Where does Nove Colli start?
Nove Colli starts in Cesenatico, on Italy’s Adriatic coast, before heading inland into the hills of Romagna.