The best traffic-free bike rides around Melzo

The Idroscalo of Milan is a large artificial lake and public park located between the municipalities of Segrate and Peschiera Borromeo, historically known as the "sea of Milan". Born in the late 1920s as a seaplane base, it was later converted into a sports and recreational center. Today it represents one of the main green areas and leisure spaces of the Metropolitan City of Milan.

The Muzza Canal is the oldest in Europe and just this year, its 800th anniversary was celebrated by the Municipality of Paullo in collaboration with the Pro Loco and other Municipalities. Its origin dates back to the year 1220, when Frederick II of Swabia, crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, issued an imperial edict that granted the people of Lodi the right to use the waters flowing within their territory. The current route, about 60 km long, receives the waters of the Adda River at Cassano d’Adda, at an altitude of 120 m above sea level, crosses the Lodi territory for about 40 km until near Castiglione d’Adda, at an altitude of 45 m above sea level, and here it releases them back into the Adda River. It has a regulated water regime, with a flow rate, depending on the season, of about 200 thousand liters of water per second; an initial width of 50 meters which reduces to a few meters at the end of its course and an average depth of 2 meters.

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. 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.

The Naviglio della Martesana, definitively completed in 1496 under the guidance of Ludovico il Moro, flows from Trezzo sull’Adda to Milan for a total length of 38 km. The route runs alongside the ancient Roman road (the current SS 11 padana superiore) which crossed the Adda with two branches: at Vaprio and Cassano. Irrigation of the land located above the spring belt was for a long time the predominant use of the canal, so much so that initially navigation was limited to two days a week; concurrently with the improvement of the agricultural structure thanks to irrigation, a notable flourishing of stately villas occurred in the Baroque era, intended to enjoy the convenience of travel on water and to control owned lands.

The Naviglio della Martesana, definitively completed in 1496 under the guidance of Ludovico il Moro, flows from Trezzo sull’Adda to Milan for a total length of 38 km. The route runs alongside the ancient Roman road (the current SS 11 padana superiore) which crossed the Adda with two branches: at Vaprio and at Cassano. The irrigation of the lands located above the spring belt was for a long time the prevalent use of the canal, so much so that initially navigation was limited to two days a week; concurrently with the improvement of the agrarian structure thanks to irrigation, a notable flourishing of stately villas emerged in the Baroque era, aimed at enjoying the convenience of travel on water and controlling the lands of property.

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.

Very nice tour, the return phase could be improved as, although cyclable, it runs along the provincial road Crema - Lodi. NEW: an embankment has been built with a cycle path on top from Corte Palasio to the Casellario area, running along the Adda with a small bridge over the Tormo stream. Works in progress, it must be completed but is already passable. Beautiful, scenic and shady in the woods.