The best traffic-free bike rides around Villa D'Almè

La Porta San Lorenzo, officially renamed Porta Garibaldi in 1907, is the smallest, oldest, and most rustic of the four monumental gates that open onto the Venetian Walls of Bergamo, included since 2017 in the UNESCO World Heritage. It was built between 1562 and 1563. It takes its name from the ancient church of the same name that stood in the area and which was demolished by the government of the Republic of Venice precisely to make way for the fortifications. On June 8, 1859, Giuseppe Garibaldi, leading his "Cacciatori delle Alpi" volunteers, entered Bergamo through this gateway. He thus liberated the city from Austrian rule. A plaque on the facade commemorates the event. This historical link is the reason why Bergamo is today nicknamed the "City of the Thousand".

I learned here that it's not the elevation gain that truly tires you, but the gradient

The Città Alta is the historic and medieval heart of Bergamo, a jewel perched on a hill and entirely enclosed by the majestic Venetian Walls, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Unlike the modern Città Bassa located on the plain, the upper part retains the intact charm of its cobbled streets, period buildings, and historic squares.

The Locks of Bellinzago Lombardo are an important historical hydraulic engineering work located along the course of the Naviglio della Martesana. They represent one of the best-known stopping and points of interest for cyclists and hikers who frequent the canal bank. These historical hydraulic systems (locks or sluices) originally served to regulate the flow of water and allow commercial navigation between the Adda and Milan.

The Martesana cycle path starts from Cassina de' Pomm at the corner of via Melchiorre Gioia and extends for 30 km passing through the municipalities of Cologno Monzese, Vimodrone, Cernusco sul Naviglio, Cassina dei Pecchi, Bussero, Gorgonzola, Gessate, Inzago and Cassano d'Adda

The Colle dei Pasta from Torre de' Roveri is one of the most classic and scenic cycling climbs and hiking routes in the Bergamasca area. The side that starts from Torre de' Roveri (Pittarello locality) is considered the most spectacular because it climbs through vineyards where the prized local wine is produced. Length: 2.7 kilometers Positive elevation gain: 162 meters Average gradient: 6% Maximum altitude: 416 meters a.s.l. The route develops on asphalt through 7 hairpin bends. The main roads involved are Via Papa Giovanni XXIII, Via Don Stefano Mangili, Via Colle dei Pasta and Via Collina Alta

The Naviglio della Martesana is perhaps the least known among the ancient artificial canals that connect Milan to the great Lombard rivers. It originates from the Adda river in Concesa, a hamlet of Trezzo d’Adda, crosses the sub-region of Martesana, northeast of the provincial capital, and once in the city, it goes underground beneath via Melchiorre Gioia, near Cassina de’ Pomm. It measures approximately 38 km in length, with a width varying from 9 to 18 meters. However, in the past, the Naviglio della Martesana continued in the open air all the way to the center, where a system of locks 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 Sforza family: to travel by water from the Ticino river, and therefore from Lake Maggiore, to the Adda river.

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.