The best running trails in Parco Dell’Alto Martesana

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.

In Gorgonzola, the most famous historic bridges crossing the Naviglio Martesana are the monumental Ponte di Milano (in pink granite with a lower walkway for towing barges) and the iconic wooden pedestrian Ponte di Legno. These bridges are landmarks on the flat route of the Martesana cycle path, very popular for trips and walks.

The bridge over the Muzza Canal, located in Lavagna (a hamlet of the municipality of Comazzo in the province of Lodi), is a historical landmark for crossing this ancient artificial waterway. The Muzza is a branch of the Adda river, known for being one of the oldest canals in Europe. Lavagna Lodigiana is a small rural village immersed in the countryside that develops right next to the canal. The bridge area is frequented by cyclists and hikers who travel along the Muzza cycle path or the Muzza-Ponte di Lavagna route, enjoying the river landscape.

Villa Fornaci is a historic hamlet geographically divided between the municipalities of Gessate and Bellinzago Lombardo, in the metropolitan city of Milan. The core rises and develops entirely along the banks of the Naviglio della Martesana (also called Naviglio Piccolo), representing one of the most characteristic and historically rich hydraulic and industrial crossing points in the entire Martesana territory.

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 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. Minor watercourses branch off from the wide canal, winding through the countryside for a total length of about 1000 kilometers, and are mainly intended for agricultural irrigation. The surrounding landscape of countryside and farmhouses is evocative, with rows of trees and open fields. It is also very interesting from a naturalistic point of view as it attracts many waterfowl 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.

Leonardo's locks on the Naviglio della Martesana, particularly the Conca dell'Incoronata and the Conca di San Marco in Milan, are 15th-16th century engineering systems designed to overcome water level differences and connect the Martesana to the inner network of canals. Designed by Leonardo da Vinci, these locks used wooden leaf gates, designed to facilitate the passage of barges loaded with goods.