The best traffic-free bike rides around Gorgonzola

The Naviglio della Martesana, also known as Naviglio Piccolo (in Lombard Navili de la Martesana or Naviliett), is one of the Milanese canals that connects Milan with the Adda river, from which it receives water at Concesa, just downstream from Trezzo sull'Adda. It was named Martesana, after the county it would cross, by Francesco Sforza in 1457, even before construction work began in 1460.

Trails and single tracks on the way there, immersed in nature.

The section of the Naviglio Martesana cycle path between Bellinzago Lombardo and Inzago is a flat, entirely asphalted stretch without technical difficulties, ideal for cycle tourists of all levels. This specific rural fragment runs for about 3-4 kilometers along the Martesana canal in a protected area.

Any trail that winds through its vicinity is wonderful, a shame about the interruption between Zelo and Galgagnano of the path due to the hunting area, incidentally a beautiful place part of the ADDA sud Park but inexplicably in the hands of one or more private individuals who have made it their "hunting park" by fencing it all in. I happened to get inside by mistake, finding one of the numerous open gates and could no longer get out, finding the others closed, receiving a couple of shots in the air behind my back to make me understand that I was not welcome! A real shame because it interrupts the descent from Zelo towards Lodi along the Adda. Beyond the "hunting park" I believe that the passage along the river (state-owned area!!) SHOULD always be guaranteed without any ifs or buts!

The Adda River is the fourth longest watercourse in Italy with its 313 kilometers and is entirely within the Lombardy region. It represents one of the main left tributaries of the Po River and has a very large hydrographic basin that covers about a third of the regional territory

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

Naviglio della Martesana is perhaps the least known of the ancient artificial canals connecting Milan to the great Lombard rivers. It originates from the Adda in Concesa, a hamlet of Trezzo d’Adda, crosses the Martesana sub-region, northeast of the provincial capital, and once in the city, it plunges underground beneath Via Melchiorre Gioia, at the height of Cassina de’ Pomm. It measures approximately 38 km in length, with a width varying from 9 to 18 meters. However, once upon a time, the Naviglio della Martesana continued in the open air all the way to the center, where a lock system centered on the Conca dell’Incoronata connected it to the short Naviglio di S. Marco and the urban network of the Navigli. The lock was inaugurated in 1496, utilizing lock gates designed by Leonardo da Vinci. The canal had been opened in 1471, under Francesco Sforza. By connecting it to the other Navigli, Leonardo laid the foundations for realizing a dream of the Sforzas: to travel by water from the Ticino, and therefore from Lake Maggiore, all the way to the Adda.

The Naviglio della Martesana, initially known as Naviglio Piccolo, is one of the Milanese canals that connects Milan with the course of the Adda river through the municipalities of Martesana. Commissioned in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, it was used for irrigating the countryside but also represented the ambitious project of connecting Milan with Lake Como and thus with the Alps and Ticino. The Naviglio della Martesana is a place rich in history and beauty, a heritage for everyone that, however, today is still little known and protected. Along the Naviglio runs a rather busy cycle path, which allows you to admire the landscape and cultural beauties, such as the rich flora, fauna, or the numerous historic villas, including the Renaissance Villa Melzi d’Eril in Vaprio d’Adda.