mastro Orso

Canale Villoresi, with its 86
kilometres, links the Ticino
River with the Adda River, irrigating
a wide area of the Milanese
plain at the north of the so called
“springs’ strip”. This work is of a
key relevance because it moulded
dramatically the shape of the
countryside of Alto Milanese and
Brianza. Nowadays, a cycle
track, which has been partially
finished and partially about to be
finished, offers both a nice sportive
day to tourists and an easy and
sustainable way of transport to
residents.
Canale Villoresi 1 st stage: from
Castano Primo to Garbagnate
Your route starts from Castano
Primo, a village in Parco del
Ticino. The first stretch of cycle
track up to Arconate is on a dirt
patch and sometimes there are not
any protective barriers along the
canal: you must be very careful,
also when you cross the busy
streets. You will be surprised to
see some beautiful glimpses of
countryside that do not fit the
chaotic and stereotyped image of
the province of Milan. From
Arconate, the cycle track (which
is now paved) continues up to
Busto Garolfo, the first village
where you can see some noble
country houses. In Parabiagola,
the train station allows the loading
of your bicycle on the train,
while Nerviano, nearby (pay attention
when crossing the 33
National Road of Sempione) is
provided with a well kept historic
centre with seventeenth-eighteenth
century courtyards. Riding on a
long dirt cycle track, you will cross
the Laghi motorway, passing
32 The cycle track designed by the Engineer • Villoresi Canal
through a tunnel below. Then,
you will reach Lainate, where the
magical sixteenth century fountains
in Villa Litta are astonishing.
You are now in a more urbanized
area where the cycle track
is a fundamental way of sustainable
transport. Pass by the Alfa
Romeo plant in Arese, which,
nowadays, hosts an interesting
Historic Museum. Then, after
few more strokes on your pedals,
you will arrive in Garbagnate
Milanese, where the train station
of Ferrovie Nord, called Serenella,
allows the loading of your bicycle
on the train.
Canale Villoresi 2 nd stage:
from Garbagnate to Monza
The first stretch of cycle track is
one of the best tracks of Parco
delle Groane, a wide sanctuary
of moors and woods. Soon after,
you will arrive in front of the impressive
Villa Borromeo, a delightful
gem in the town of Senago.
From here to Nova Milanese,
the route splits up into fragmented
stretches, due to the
consistent urbanization and the
fact that coasting the canal is impossible:
you should have the
roadbook with you and follow the
accurate instructions. In Paderno
Dugnano, there is a fascinating
cycle track along the Seveso
Torrent. In Varedo, you will be
mesmerized by the perspective
row of Villa Bagatti Valsecchi.
You are in Parco Grugnotorto-
Villoresi, which aims at recovering
and enhancing the rural
tracks. From Nova you will
coast the Canale Villoresi again
with dirt and paved stretches. In
Muggiò, Villa Casati Stampa di
Soncino, which was designed by
Leopoldo Pollack, hosts the municipal
offices. Afterwards, you
will arrive in Monza where the
cycle track is a miraculous means
of survival among the continuous
motor traffic, which you will
have to cross several times, being
very careful. The route ends
at the Train Station, but before,
don’t forget to visit the historic
centre with Villa Reale, Arengario
and the Dome along with
its impressive Museum.
Canale Villoresi 3 rd stage: from
Monza to Cassano d’Adda
From the Train Station, Via
Mentana leads you to the
Cemetery of Monza, alternating
stretches that are not protected
and cycle tracks. From here, the
route is broken into fragmented
peaces, disentangling itself in the
urbanization network of Brianza:
you must pay attention to the
route recommended by the roadbook.
In Carugate, you will be
relieved finding a pleasant country
road among beautiful farms
typical of the plain. From this
road you will take a detour on the
right that allows you to coast the
Canale Villoresi again. It is a dirt
track with no protections, but,
nevertheless, very atmospheric,
surrounded by an unspoiled rural
scenario. You will pass by several
farms and rural villages,
crossing some busy streets, once
in a while. One of these streets
leads you to the underground station
of Gessate, where you can
load your bicycle. You will reach,
Masate, Bettola di Pozzo d’Adda
and Groppello, where the Canale
Villoresi joins the Adda River.
Cassano d’Adda, nearby, offers
several artistic sights (Villa
Borromeo and the Castle) with
the possibility to load your bicycle
at the train station, which is
not so far.
Between Martesana
and Villoresi
A short cycle track, the former
Milan-Vimercate tramway track,
links the Villoresi route to the
Martesana one. The natural scenario
is not really outstanding,
but Villa Sormani in Brugherio
and the Tempietto di San Lucio
offer you some very interesting
examples of art amid an important
urban complex.
• A sinistra:
il Parco
delle Groane
costituisce
una piacevole
deviazione
• On the left:
the Parco
delle Groane
is a pleasant
detour
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