The best traffic-free bike rides around Zelo Surrigone

In Robecco sul Naviglio, the most famous and strategic public fountain for cyclists and runners is located directly along the Alzaia of the Naviglio Grande, near the historic Osteria da Ripa and a few meters from the characteristic pedestrian bridge of the town. It is a fundamental resting point for those traveling the cycle path, especially on hot days, as water supply points are scarce in that stretch of canal.

The Naviglio Grande stretch in Castelletto di Cuggiono is one of the most evocative and intact historical and natural sights of the entire Ticino Park. Located in the province of Milan, this ancient river village seems suspended in time and is an ideal destination for walks, cycle touring, and relaxation away from the city chaos.

The Naviglio Grande riverside in Gaggiano offers a picturesque cycle and pedestrian path immersed in the Parco Agricolo Sud Milano. It is easily reachable from Milan via the Naviglio Grande Cycle Path, is about 15 km from the centre, and is known for its historic villas, such as Palazzo Venini Uboldi and the characteristic Ponte Vecchio.

Another great hydraulic dam work on the Ticino

Great beautiful cycle path on the Ticino Park

Villa Clerici on the Naviglio Grande (also known as Palazzo Clerici or Il Castelletto) is one of the most majestic and extensive noble villas located along the Naviglio Grande canal. It stands in Castelletto di Cuggiono, in the province of Milan, perched on a natural spur overlooking a bend in the canal. It stands on the remains of an ancient medieval fortress from the 10th century, transformed in the 16th century into a residence of the Crivelli family. In 1658, the property passed to the wealthy Clerici family of bankers and merchants. The Clerici invested enormous fortunes in the complex. They wanted the facade to have 365 windows (one for each day of the year) and 12 balconies (like the months) to flaunt their wealth in front of the local nobility. In the 19th century, due to the family's economic collapse, the structure was sold and adapted first into a spinning mill and weaving factory, entering a long period of semi-abandonment. In 2026, an important private recovery project was initiated.

The unique name "Panperduto" derives mainly from the local dialect and ancient stories related to river navigation before the construction of the dam. In the past, commercial barges carrying goods or stones often collided with the rapids and rocky riverbeds of this stretch of the river, ending up capsizing and losing their entire cargo. This meant the loss of the entire day's work and the earnings needed to buy food, hence the saying "we lost the bread" (hence Panperduto).

La Diga del Panperduto (or rather, the Dighe del Panperduto) is one of Lombardy's most important and fascinating hydraulic junctions, located on the Ticino river in the municipality of Somma Lombardo, in the province of Varese. This monumental complex of hydraulic engineering dates back to the late 19th century (inaugurated in 1884) and mainly serves to divert the waters of the Ticino to feed two fundamental artificial canals: Villoresi Canal: used for irrigation purposes, guaranteeing water for over 100,000 hectares of agricultural land in the Po Valley. Industrial Canal: fundamental for the production of hydroelectric energy through various power plants in the area.