Provincia di Milano

A tour along the Naviglio Grande canal

The route begins from the harbour in Milano, in the Porta Genova area, and goes as far as Abbiategrasso, where the Naviglio Grande veers north to join its source in the Ticino Park. Small churches, windmills, farmsteads and villas appear along the banks of the canal, providing unexpected views. The route is almost entirely tarred and suitable for all kinds of cyclists. The path has very few railings, and some stretches are not exclusive to the use of bicycles and may present dangers. So great care is recommended, especially for children and the elderly. The tow path is the only access for the various farmsteads and the agricultural holdings located along this stretch, therefore it is necessary to make way for the passage of agricultural vehicles and equipment, taking care to keep to the side. From Porta Genova Station, the path gradually leaves Milan and passes through the countryside of the Parco agricolo Sud, turning west towards Corsico, Trezzano sul Naviglio and Gaggiano, and finally reaching the town of Abbiategrasso. From here there are other cycle paths, such as that which goes from Abbiategrasso to Bereguardo, and the one between Abbiategrasso and Sesto Calende. PLEASE NOTE the route is closed to bicycles from Turbigo to Cassinetta di Lugagnano.

Notes

Informazioni sul percorso: il dislivello in salita è di 21 metri mentre quello in discesa di 20 metri. La quota massima raggiunta è di 120 metri. La difficoltà è facile e le strade sono pavimentate al 100%. Il percorso ciclabile risulta in sede propria per il 71%.
Interconnessioni ferroviarie con la Rete ferroviaria italiana:
- Linea S9 del passante ferroviario per Seregno da San Cristoforo FS e linea regionale per Vigevano/Mortara (con trasporto bici) sempre da San Cristoforo FS, fermate Gaggiano e Abbiategrasso FS.
- Linea S6 del passante ferroviario da Milano Porta Vittoria per Novara (con trasporto bici), fermata Magenta FS.
- Linea regionale FNM (Ferrovie Nord Milano) Milano Cadorna-Novara da Cadorna FNM, fermata Turbigo FNM.

Map

Planning your trip

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> Darsena
From the Railway Station you turn right into via Valenza and proceed until you arrive at the tow path of the Naviglio Grande, which is still on your right. Go straight ahead until the crossroads of via Ripa di Porta Ticinese and viale Cassala. You pass under the bridge and then keep going straight. Along this stretch of the tow path you can see many characteristic "case di ringhiera" (popular housing built around a central courtyard). Along the right hand side there are various inns, bookshops and some antique shops, whereas trams clatter along the opposite bank. It is a richly fascinating environment: The old features of Milan can still be seen in the houses, the craftsman's workshops and the wash houses, referred to as "brellin" in the local dialect. Just beyond an old wash house, you reach the beautiful church of S. Cristoforo al Naviglio (St. Christopher on the canal) which was built around 1200, and is one of the most beautiful monumental complexes along the first stretch of the canal.
> Church of San Cristoforo sul Naviglio
Once past the old drawbridge at the Richard Ginori factory, you ride as far as Corsico, passing by the headquarters of illustrious Milanese boating clubs and ancient farmsteads. The path is interrupted near via Molinetto di Lorenteggio as it enters via Alzaia Trento. It continues once more beside via Giacomo Matteotti on via Alzaia Trieste. In the Corsico area you can view the complex of the Guardia di Sotto and Guardia di Sopra farmsteads, which are typical examples of the large farms of the Milanese hinterland.
> La Guardia farmhouses
Having passed the tangenziale ovest (western ring road), where the tow path is once more called Alzaia Naviglio Grande (parallel to via Circonvallazione), you proceed in the direction of Trezzano sul Naviglio. At the no entry sign in via Quasimodo it is best to make a detour, turning right into via Puccini, then left into via Benedetto Croce, and then proceeding straight ahead until the roundabout. At the roundabout turn left into via Indipendenza in order to return to the Naviglio on via IV Novembre. This stretch of the tow path has banks and protective barriers and leads all the way to Gaggiano. If you look at the surrounding landscape, you can spot numerous farmsteads and thriving agricultural cultivation that profits from the water of the Naviglio Grande. Two old convents, which have now been transformed into private houses, can also be seen, as well as the imposing 12th-century church of St. Ambrose.
> Sant’Ambrogio
The tow path proceeds towards Gaggiano where, to continue along the cycle path, you need to cross to the opposite bank of the Naviglio using the footbridge or the road bridge, which can be reached from the Church Square. A large churchyard beside the bridge provides a spacious setting for the Church of St. Eventius. Villa Marino and the Venini Uboldi Palace can be seen to the left.
> Church of Sant'Invenzio
> Villa Stampa Aloardi (Villa Stampa Aloardi)
> Venini Uboldi palace
As you leave Gaggiano, you will cross the Vermezzo-Rosate cycle path. It is worth pointing out that in Gaggiano, near the traffic lights on the Naviglio, there is a shop that performs bicycle repairs and gives assistance to cyclists. Continuing along the Alzaia Naviglio Grande, after a series of ancient farmhouses, you arrive in the territory of Castelletto. The hamlet owes its name to a small castle that was built by the Commune of Milan to take advantage of the strategic position of the place. In Castelletto there is a fork where a branch of the Naviglio heads in the direction of Pavia and takes the name Naviglio di Bereguardo.
> Castelletto - Abbiategrasso
Further ahead, you take the footbridge across the Naviglio in the direction of Abbiategrasso (via Roma). From the opposite bank of the canal you take the underpass that leads to Abbiategrasso. Along the tow path, in this last stretch of the cycle route, there are many important historical buildings, such as the S. Antonio Hotel, which dates back to the 15th century, and the Cittadini Stampa Palace.
> S. Antonio hotel
> Cittadini Stampa palace

VisitaMilano

Una grande Provincia, tanti luoghi da vivere

Navigazione di primo livello

Navigazione di livello 1

A tour along the Naviglio Grande canal

Notes

Map

Planning your trip

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