Biking next to the Mincio waters.
One of the most beautiful cycle path of Italy, surrounded by the green Po Valley, among Mincio river waters, its Natural Park and beautiful medieval villages.
  • Travelling time: 4 hours
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Why we love it: because the path is suitable for all, for families too; because of the sound of the river waters, for the fauna and the view of medieval castles
  • Length: 43 km
  • Total Elevation Gain: 0 m
  • Way to travel: by bike
  • Cost: 0 €
  • Our Advice: The path starts nearby the train station of Mantua reachable from all over Italy: take the train and bring your bike and then into the saddle towards the beautiful Peschiera del Garda!

 

Map of the cycle path
Map of the cycle path

 

The cycle path starts from Mantua, renaissance city of rare beauty, with its suggestive squares and the three lakes that surround it. To those who arrive by train, we suggest to spent a day before leaving to Garda lake: many famous writer, such as Torquato Tasso, Charles Baudelaire and  Charles Dickens described the wonder felt before Mantua, a sweet and melancholic town. You can visit the beautiful and small inner city on foot or by bike. 

 

Sunset in Mantua, foto di drs1ump via Flickr
Sunset in Mantua, photo di drs1ump via Flickr

 

The path starts directly from the train station in Mantua. The first section of the path lies close to the city streets but just after few kilometers the pave path begins and so does the countryside of Mantua. The rural landscape donates the silence and the fragrances of nature and you will find yourself in an oasis of peace and quiet. You will coast the Middle Lake and then the Upper Lake, this segment of the path lodges many species of winged animals and web-footed animals, including mallards, storks and herons that can be easily spotted.

Upper Lake of Mantua, photo di Serena via Flickr
Upper Lake of Mantua, photo di Serena via Flickr

 

Just a few kilometers away from Mantua, you can reach, with a short change in direction, the Bosco della Fontana Natural reserve where you can admire the original natural surrounding of the Po Valley. There are different naturalist itineraries, accessible only on foot, where you can appreciate the local flora and fauna. 

 

Reserve Bosco Fontana, photo di Marcello Calendi via Flickr
Reserve Bosco Fontana, photo di Marcello Calendi via Flickr

 

When you arrive in Pozzolo, after 23 kilometers of biking, the cycle path return to Mincio, from this point you will cost the river all the way to the destination.

Afetr 7 more kilometers you will reach Borghetto, in the province of Verona, a major stop-over of the cycle path. It’s one the most beautiful small town of Italy with a small group of houses at the foot of the Visconteo bridge on the shore of Mincio and its characteristic water mills (some of them are still working!).

 

Borghetto, suburb of Valeggio sul Mincio, photo di Claudio Pimazzoni via Flickr
Borghetto, suburb of Valeggio sul Mincio, photo di Claudio Pimazzoni via Flickr

 

You will return on the cycle path and on the coast of the river; after few more kilometers you will pass through a bridge, in this way you will find yourself on the right shore.

Just a few kilometers among cypresses and you will arrive to Peschiera del Garda.

 

Peschiera del Garda, photo di hjjanischm via Flickr
Peschiera del Garda, photo di hjjanischm via Flickr

 

This cycle path belongs to Europe itinerary Eurovelo7 that connects North Cape and Malta with a cycle path.

The bike lane of Mincio offers the possibility to enjoy the beauty of nature, beautiful small towns  and medieval fortification surrounded by the green Po Valley e its picturesque landscapes. 

 

Cycle path Mantua - Peschiera, photo di CasteFoto via Flickr
Cycle path Mantua - Peschiera, photo di CasteFoto via Flickr

 

Author: Chiara Marras

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