9-PARKS CYCLE PATH

From the center of Modena follow "Via Emilia Ovest" towards Reggio on the cycle path. At the traffic light on "Viale Italia" (Km 1.2) go straight ahead, crossing the Madonnina railway overpass. A short stretch without a cycle path follows up to the intersection with "Via Amundsen" where you need to move to the opposite side and take "Via Barchetta" (Km 2.7).

After passing "Via Monti" and arriving at the roundabout of Via Zanfi, a metal directional sign ("Ponte Barchetta-Campogalliano") helps find the right direction; then you cross the bridge over the ring road in a protected lane (Km 4.1 - 25 min.) and continue straight on the cycle path up to the Tre Olmi district (Km 5.6 - 30 min.). Continue straight on "Strada Barchetta" (sign "Ponte Barchetta" "Campogalliano") which shortly ahead crosses the Nature Route.

Continuing, you reach the ancient "Passo di Majagallo" (Ponte Barchetta): since 1999 a large iron arch supports a wooden walkway allowing cyclists to cross to the opposite bank of the Secchia River (Km 6.5). Beyond the bridge (now in the territory of the Campogalliano municipality) turn left and at the next junction again left onto "Via Magnagallo Est".

After passing under the TAV line, keep right encountering soon two narrow, dark underpasses that allow crossing the motorway (Km 7.8 - 40 min.). Shortly afterwards there are two options: the first, to the right for Campogalliano and the Scale Museum (total detour there and back 4.6 Km); our route continues straight and, at the sign "Via Carrobbie", turns right while at the next intersection (sign "Via Bosco") you must turn left reaching shortly the Oratory of Madonna della Sassola (Km 8.7 - 45 min.). Keeping left (sign "no entry except residents") you pass again under the high-speed line and cross the motorway bridge continuing straight. Further ahead, after passing a barrier, the route becomes unpaved (Km 10.6) and finally narrows into a simple path that runs alongside the large water basins of the Expansion Basins. In the next district, you will find numerous signs for the permanent circuit "Verde Laghi" (walking and running in nature) which in its longest 10 Km version corresponds largely to our route.

Near the cement regulating structure (dam on the Secchia) continue straight almost up to the railway line (Km 14 - 1 hr 15 min) where, at a large metal panel, you must turn right following the signs for the "Verde Laghi - 10 Km" route.

Continue on the grassy embankment avoiding the two large dirt roads that run lower down and return near the water basins. Further ahead (Km 15.7) you will temporarily have to descend from the main embankment: keep this point in mind because you will return here after visiting Corte Ospitale: then turn left and take an asphalt road ("Via del Rivone") that leads to the intersection with Provincial Road 35 (Km 16.6 - 1 hr 30 min).

Without pedestrian crossings, be very careful crossing and take on the opposite side a small asphalt road which after 100 m. intersects a cycle path. Following this one to the left you reach the intersection with "Via dei Chiaviconi" and continue straight again on the cycle path: when this ends, you are on "Via Fontana" through which you shortly reach the ancient Corte Ospitale (Km 18.2 - 1 hr 40 min).

From Corte Ospitale continue to the intersection with Via Rainusso and turn right onto Via del Palazzo. After passing the sixteenth-century building, ignore on the left the detour to Rubiera (only 1 Km away) and turn right on the cycle path ("Via S. Faustino") starting the return phase. After passing the cemetery, turn right again on "Via dei Chiaviconi" up to the intersection with the Via Fontana cycle path passed on the way out (Km 20.6).

At this point follow the route you just completed in reverse, crossing the provincial road again and returning via "Via Rivone" to the main embankment of the Expansion Basins (Km 22.4 - 2 hrs). Here turn left: the embankment is well gravelled and rideable even after heavy rain. This completes the full loop of all the water basins and returns near the cement dam on the Secchia crossed on the outbound route (Km 24.3 - 2 hr 10 min). Turning left downhill, retrace the outbound route for 400 m, then turn left again on a wide dirt road up to a barrier near the Le Cinque Querce Riding Club. You are on Via Albone, an asphalt dead-end road which you follow to the parking and restaurant area of the Curiel Lakes (Km 26).

Here take the cycle path on the right that passes inside the rowing basins and returns to "Strada della Madonna". Turn left to repeat precisely the outbound route and cross the motorway bridge again. Returning to the small Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Sassola (Km 28.2) retrace Via Bosco and "Via Carrobbie" to pass under the motorway again. Retrace back to Ponte della Barchetta (Km 30.3 - 2 hr 35 min) and at the next intersection with the Secchia Route (Km 30.8). The center of Modena is less than 7 Km away if time is short and you want to repeat the same outbound route. For a different and off-road return, it is suggested to turn left and take the Secchia Nature Route up to Ponte Alto (Km 35.2 - 3 hr).

Ignore signs for the center of Modena and turn left crossing the Secchia River to join the route toward Concordia - Destra Po.

Continue on the left bank, 200 m after passing under the Campogalliano (SP413) road slip road, you must leave the main embankment (no longer passable due to the TAV railway line) and descend onto the dirt road alongside the embankment. This passes under the high-speed line followed immediately by a metal footbridge crossing the Secchia: you must climb onto this last to return to the city (signs: straight ahead "destra Po. Ciclovia del Secchia". To the left "Modena Km 4").

Then turn in this direction and tackle a short dirt ramp that allows connection to the Modena-Villanova cycle path. Following this you cross the Secchia (Km 37.3 - 3 hr 15 min) and continue up to the intersection with Via Sant’Anna.

Here turn right and, at the next roundabout, always right on the Stradello Razzaboni cycle path which passes under the Bologna-Milan line and leads close to the San Cataldo cemetery (Km 39.5).

Continue straight on the wide cycle paths alongside Breda, Paolucci, and Montecuccoli streets.

After passing under the Cialdini overpass, turn right on the small cycle path that arrives at the Viale Storchi traffic light. Turn left onto the cycle path that leads back to the intersection with Via Emilia from where you quickly return to the starting point (Km 42.2 - 3 hr 40 min).