HOLIDAY INN MALPENSA - CUGGIONO

HOLIDAY INN MALPENSA - CUGGIONO

46km - 3 hours - medium difficulty

A pleasant route leading from the Ticino river to the Naviglio Grande, in the lands of fishermen and farmhouses. 

We cycle downhill towards Vizzola Ticino, pass the hydroelectric power plant and admire the waterway locks; continuing on the pathway along the canal we see how its waters feed other two run-of-the-river stations. At this point the canal rejoins the bed of the Naviglio Grande, the oldest artificial canal in Europe, and crosses Turbigo, flanked by residential housing, bridges, and a huge thermal plant which is cooled by its waters.

From here on, time seems to stand still around the Naviglio. First we reach the bridge of Saint Peter, with the old Padregnana farmhouse mirrored in the water; at the new bridge of Cascina Induno we find a noble country residence and then, stashed under a makeshift roof, we see an old barge, formerly employed for the transport of sand, and finally the imposing stairway of Villa Clerici, leading down to the waters.

We will now cross the old canal bridge of Castelletto di Cuggiono, stopping just before to admire a typical riverside restaurant, with its own mooring for river boats.
It is time to make our way back, skirting Villa Clerici to return to the highlands, reach Cascina Induno, go downhill at the modern bridge and return to the canal towpath.

The route is flat and easy, except for the final, medium difficulty, uphill stretch.