The best road cycling routes around Pessano Con Bornago

The Ponte di San Rocco in Vimercate is the only intact example in Lombardy of a fortified medieval bridge, located at the end of the ancient decumanus (the current Via Cavour). The original structure dates back to Roman times, inserted along the main road axis. It is a "donkey's back" bridge with four arches, 28.50 meters long and about 4.5 meters wide, built of stone with blocks of ceppo and serizzo. In the Middle Ages, it was fortified and transformed into a tower-gate (the only surviving one of the seven original gates of Vimercate's city walls).

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 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.

L'Eremo di Monte Barro is a striking complex located at 790 meters above sea level in the heart of the Monte Barro Regional Park, in the municipality of Galbiate (Lecco). It represents the main landmark and nerve center of the park, renowned for its spectacular panoramic terrace that offers a 360-degree view of the Brianza lakes (Annone, Pusiano, Alserio), the city of Lecco, and "that branch of Lake Como".

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.

Although the altimetry of M.Barro is not high, around 900 meters, I think it's by bike 🚴 on the road leading to the Eremo, where there is also the interesting Museum of the M.Barro Park and a simple restaurant... also on foot through a network of paths that also lead to the Casa degli Alpini 💚 in the good season you can have coffee, some simple aperitifs and if it goes well a plate of pasta 🍝 nearby to visit the Archaeological Park..of the life of the Ostrogoths, in short, then a fantastic panorama over the lakes of Annone, Pusiano, Alserio .... and from the side towards the Croce the lake of Lecco ..worth going 🌈🙏👍🌈⛰️💚🌅💙

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.