Start of the Villoresi Canal – Panperduto Dam loop from Casorate Sempione

03:13

50.5km

370m

Gravel riding

Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: November 4, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 31.6 km for 495 m

Permit required

After 33.7 km for 840 m

Permit required

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

9.87 km

Panperduto Dam — Start of the Villoresi Canal

Highlight • Monument

The Villoresi canal: It originates here from the Panperduto dam in the Maddalena area (Somma Lombardo), a hamlet of Somma Lombardo, and flows into the Adda river or, alternatively, into the Martesana canal near Cassano d'Adda at the end of a long route 86 km which qualifies it as the second longest artificial waterway in Italy, after the Emiliano Romagnolo canal and in front of the Cavour canal.
The canal, which runs horizontally from west to east, in the upper plain of Milan, was completed in 1890.

The Industrial Canal: also known as the Vizzola canal, is an artificial watercourse that derives its waters from the Ticino river, through the Panperduto dam near Somma Lombardo, where the waters of the Villoresi canal are also derived[1]. The canal was inaugurated in 1900, with the name of "Vittorio Emanuele III industrial canal", its construction was due to the production of hydroelectric energy. In fact, the industrial canal drives the turbines of three hydroelectric power plants: the Vizzola power plant, the Tornavento power plant and the Castelli di Turbigo power plant. Just beyond this facility the canal branches into 3 channels: on the left most of the water (64 m³/s in summer, 35 m³/s in winter) flows into the Naviglio Grande, which receives its effective flow here; [2] in the centre, however, the Turbighetto discharger originates, having a flow rate of approximately 50 m³/s. This flows into the Ticino, after having activated the turbines of a fourth hydroelectric power plant: the Turbigo Inferiore power plant. The regression channel originates on the right. This third branch flows into the Ticino in the Casa delle Barche area. Through a gravel dam on the Ticino its waters are conveyed into the Langosco canal, activating the Varzi hydroelectric power plant.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

10.1 km

Start of the Villoresi Canal

Highlight • River

More than 85 kilometers long, the Villoresi canal is among the most important artificial waterways in Italy. It owes its name to the engineer Eugenio Villoresi, who began designing it in 1862. Here you are just downstream from the Panperduto dam, immediately after the diversion locks, between the Villoresi canal and the Industriale canal (or Vizzola canal), whose main branch will flow into the Naviglio Grande.

Translated by Google •

Tip by