A bike trip in the middle of the nature along the cycle path of the River Park Taro in the province of Parma, to discover landscapes, traditional food and historical architecture.
  • Travelling time: half a day
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Why we love it: for the beauty of the park, the countryside surrounding Parma, churches and architectural history.
  • Length: 20 km
  • Total Elevation Gain: 100 m
  • Way to travel: by bike, on foot.
  • Cost: 0 €
  • Our Advice: Get up to Collecchio on trains with bicycle transport. From here take the route by bike.
Map of the cycling itinerary in the Natural Park of Taro, Collecchio, Parma, Emilia Romagna
Map of the cycling itinerary in the Natural Park of Taro, Collecchio, Parma, Emilia Romagna
Cycle path in the Park of Taro, Collecchio, Parma - Emilia Romagna
Cycle path in the Park of Taro, Collecchio, Parma - Emilia Romagna

 

Leaving the station of Collecchio through the town and continue along the old street Cisa. The, leaving on the right we have taken Campirolo road, a country road between fields, and trees leading to the Court of Giarola.

Cycling in the Parma Countryside, Giarola, Parma, Italy
Cycling in the Parma Countryside, Giarola, Parma, Italy

 

The ancient monastery of the Court, established in the Middle Ages, has been subject to a continuous and gradual restoration that has allowed to recover many spaces.

The ancient Giarola Court, Parco del Taro, Parma, Emilia Romagna, Italy
The ancient Giarola Court, Parco del Taro, Parma, ph. by Emilia Romagna Tourism, via flickr

 

The Court is not only the center of the Park, but it also has inside two museums particularly appreciated by lovers of food, lands and traditions: the Museums of the Pasta and Pomodori, open to the public on weekends and by appointment for groups.

Italian Pasta: in the Pasta's Museum in Giarola you can discover all the history and a lot of curiosity about Italian Pasta tradition
Italian Pasta: in the Pasta's Museum in Giarola you can discover all the history and a lot of curiosity about Italian Pasta tradition

 

Taking advantage of the break the court has a water point and public toilets. Getting on the bikes and continue along the road Giarola, we arrived in Oppiano, where we could admire the church established in the early eighteenth century and that has been a landmark for pilgrims along the Via Francigena.

Continuing beyond the village of Villanova we joined again the Cisa street arriving in Ozzano Taro. From here through Gaiano we completed the ring and then we came back.

Cycling in the Park of the Taro, Collecchio, Parma
Cycling in the Park of the Taro, Collecchio, Parma

 

Information: Park Center Court Giarola, Road Giarola, 11 Collecchio 0521-802688 info.taro@parchiemiliaoccidentale.it

Taro Park cycle path - Emilia Romagna, Italy

Cost: Free.

Possibility to rent a bike at the Court Giarola (about 3 euro for half a day).

Entrance to Museums of Pasta and Pomodoro 4 euros.

Author: Gaia Giongo

Eco-friendly accommodations
Agriturismo La Collina del Sole

Parma (Italy)

Tra incantevoli colline e suggestivi calanchi, a 20 minuti da parma

Starting from €70.00