The best gravel rides around Rodano

The San Donato-Peschiera cycle path (named after Gino Bartali) is a 5.2 km long cycle and pedestrian path that connects the San Donato MM3 metro station (Piazza 9 novembre 1989) to Peschiera Borromeo (Via Carducci, Laghetto Azzurro area). Inaugurated in 2020, the route on its own right-of-way (coral red color) offers a safe connection, particularly towards the Idroscalo park.

The cycle path between Malaspina (San Felice) and San Bovio is an easy and flat cycle-pedestrian route, ideal for leisure and commuting, which crosses the greenery between Segrate and Peschiera Borromeo. It passes along Lake Malaspina, near the quarry lakes and the Bosco della Besozza, offering a loop of about 9-10 km. [1, 2]

The Muzza Canal is the oldest in Europe and just this year, its 800th anniversary was celebrated by the Municipality of Paullo in collaboration with the Pro Loco and other Municipalities. Its origin dates back to the year 1220, when Frederick II of Swabia, crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, issued an imperial edict that granted the people of Lodi the right to use the waters flowing within their territory. The current route, about 60 km long, receives the waters of the Adda River at Cassano d’Adda, at an altitude of 120 m above sea level, crosses the Lodi territory for about 40 km until near Castiglione d’Adda, at an altitude of 45 m above sea level, and here it releases them back into the Adda River. It has a regulated water regime, with a flow rate, depending on the season, of about 200 thousand liters of water per second; an initial width of 50 meters which reduces to a few meters at the end of its course and an average depth of 2 meters.

The Muzza canal (61 km long in total) is a branch of the Adda River and has recently celebrated its 800th anniversary, making it one of the oldest in Europe. Its name, with slight variations over the centuries, still recalls the Roman family Mutia who moved here in 90 BC, starting the first land reclamation works. Smaller watercourses branch off from the wide canal, winding through the countryside for a total length of about 1000 kilometers, mainly intended for agricultural irrigation. The surrounding landscape of countryside and farmhouses is evocative, with a succession of tree-lined rows and open fields. It is also very interesting from a naturalistic point of view as it attracts many aquatic birds that can be observed along the route.

The small church of San Biagio, unique in its location, in a rural hamlet almost lost in the countryside of the upper Lodi area. The entire complex can be considered, in short, a general rehearsal for Bramante. The structures, absolutely innovative for the time, highlight the engineering knowledge typical of the architect. The oratory dedicated to San Biagio (Bishop of Sebaste and martyr) has a lower parallelepiped part with three apses and an octagonal upper part, with a row of round windows and another of blind rectangular windows. It is completed by a low tower that serves as a bell tower; the entire complex is made of terracotta and retains a classical Renaissance appearance of elegance and proportions.

Well-kept and quiet place

Beautiful dirt road that can be cycled along the canal

A true gem just a stone's throw from Milan. It's a shame it can't be visited.