The Regional Parks that you are going to cross are four, plus the Parco Locale del Lura: they are real “green lungs” that will accompany your rides in a territory where the Milanese aristocrats left some noble architectural footprints. The hills of Como Chiasso, which hosts a train station of international relevance, can be reached both by the trains that come from Italy and the trains that come from Switzerland. It is an ideal base. You will ride towards Como and, once you have crossed the Italian- Swiss border, you will follow the track 2 of Parco Spina Verde on your right. It is a natural sanctuary on a hill behind the city. From San Fermo della Battaglia, you will continue on a dirt track, arriving in Gironico, first, and then in Lurate Caccivio. You will enter afterwards the territory of Parco del Lura, riding on the first stretch of cycle track, a dirt route between the countryside of Bulgarograsso and Guanzate. Then you will descend crossing the torrent and the motorway, arriving near the FNM station of Cadorago. From here a very long cycle track within Parco del Lura begins, winding between the torrent and the railroad. There are also some stretches of streets with no so much traffic. Our pleasant trip ends in Rovellasca, where there is another train station of Ferrovie Nord, one of the most relevant local way of transport, ideal for the fans of the cycle-tourism. The cycle-road of the parks The first five kilometres of this route are along pleasant dirt tracks that lead you to Misinto and Parco delle Groane. The park, which is very appreciated by the locals, is a sanctuary of moor and hosts a fantastic cycle track. Get some information and booklets at the Centro Parco della Polveriera, in Solaro. Once you have passed below the busy 527 National road, very easily, you will enter the southern part of the park, far from the chaos that rages only few kilometres away. Between Garbagnate and Bollate, after having crossed Canale Villoresi and its cycle track, you will coast the railroad towards Saronno, passing by the majestic architectures of Villa Argonati and Castellazzo. You are now in the territory of Novate Milanese, where a paved cycle track leads you in the big metropolis of Milan. Nevertheless, the big natural areas and the cycle tracks do not end here: Parco Nord Milano allows you to travel very easily within the city. The remaining route towards the Central Station is an urban area with some very busy stretches in which you must be very careful. The cycle-road of Lambro The new cycle road passes through three provinces (Monza- Brianza, Lecco and Como); it is more than 40 kilometres long, linking Monza to Erba and coasting the Lambro River. The first stretch, which is mainly in an urban area, accompanies you from the train station of Monza to Villa Reale, across the historic centre embellished by the Dome and the Arengario. From here to Biassono the route runs within Parco di Monza, the biggest walled natural area in Europe: in Villa Mirabello you will find some information about the outstanding natural and cultural sights in the park. From the gate of Biassono you will ride eastward, approaching the Lambro River and the railway towards Molteno, with charming views over the valley and Villa Gernetto. After a short stretch on a paved road you will pass through a level crossing entering a cycle track on your left: the enchanting scenario over Villa Taverna will lead you towards one of the most atmospheric stretches of the route, a long greenway that coasts the river up to Albiate (Parco di Villa Campello is worth a visit here). Woods and fields will accompany you while you are approaching Agliate, whose Romanesque Basilica has been enchanting its visitors for centuries. From here to Nibionno, the route is about to be finished and sometimes leads you to very busy road: follow the roadbook very carefully! From Nibionno to Costa Masnaga the cycle track winds among gentle hills crowned by medieval towers, remnants of a military border, which is forgotten now. Oasi di Baggero awaits you with its natural beauties. It was formerly a quarry and now is a beautiful sanctuary: its waterfall is probably one of the most atmospheric glimpses of the entire Brianza. Castello di Monguzzo heralds the Lake Alserio, an outstanding natural landscape: along its shores you find the centre for the environmental training of Parco della Valle del Lambro and a pleasant cycle track among nature. From here to Erba you will have to bear the motor traffic, but the effort will be rewarded by the Erba’s sights: the urban tourist fan will be thrilled when visiting Sant’Eufemia, the Archaelogical Museum and Parco Licinium along with the War Memorial designed by Giuseppe Terragni. • Sotto: scorcio del fiume a Ponte Albiate, nelle immediate vicinanze della sede di Parco Lambro • Below: view of the river in Ponte Albiate, near the Parco Lambro 116 Between the lake and big city • Milan-Como-Lecco 117
La natura sa di storia Natural beauties with historic flavours Testi - Text B. Del Felice e G. Pizzorno • Foto - Photos SDV PROVINCIA DI SONDRIO Antiche vie alpine e tracciati costeggiano l’Adda e il Mera, tra la Val Bregaglia e la Valtellina. Alzaie e borghi di montagna da scoprire pedalando. THE PROVINCE OF SONDRIO You will ride along ancient alpine tracks and routes that coast the Adda and the Mera rivers, between Val Bregalia and Valtellina. Discover the towpaths and the mountain villages on your bicycle!
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