It is the northernmost river on the east-facing slopes of the Apennines to flow directly into the Adriatic Sea rather than entering the Po.

[1] The source of the river is in the Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, Campigna National Park in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine mountains in the Metropolitan City of Florence (which is in the Tuscany region of Italy).

[2] The river flows northeast and crosses the border into the province of Forlì-Cesena and passes through the localities of San Benedetto in Alpe, Portico di Romagna, Bocconi, Rocca San Casciano, Dovadola, Castrocaro, Terra del Sole and Forlì.

The river curves eastward and is joined by the Bidente-Ronco south of Ravenna.

Also famous is the Acquacheta stream, mentioned by Dante Alighieri in his Divine Comedy.