Mantova
An easy and pleasant cycle path winds around Mantua, skirting the three lakes, within the city's Peri-urban Park, established in 1998 with the aim of recovering and giving continuity to the green areas located on the banks of the lakes. The most characteristic section of the cycle path is the one connecting Via Fondamenta-zona Porto Catena (on Lago Inferiore) to Porta Mulina (on Lago di Mezzo). The section offers a splendid view of the city skyline with the Cortile della Cavallerizza and the Castello di San Giorgio.
Just in front of the castle are the jetties from which motorboats depart for fascinating nature excursions in the Vallazza Nature Reserve (with the possibility of transporting bicycles on board). Once you reach Porta Mulina, at the junction you can continue left along the western shore of Lake Superiore to reach, skirting the Valli del Mincio Nature Reserve area, first the Valletta di Belfiore and then the village of Angeli, an ancient fishing village.
Along the cycle path is the small port of Belfiore, from which to depart for pleasant excursions by boat on Lake Superiore, to reach the village of Le Grazie or continue on to Rivalta s/Mincio. The boats also offer bicycle transport services.
Instead, continuing in the opposite direction and always starting from the Porta Mulina junction along the eastern shore of Lago Superiore, you reach the Cittadella district, with the 16th-century Porta Giulia, the construction of which has been attributed to Giulio Romano, and the monument to Andreas Hofer, the Tyrolean hero who led the anti-Napoleonic uprising in the Tyrol in 1809 and was shot at Porta Giulia: the park dedicated to him now stands here.
From Porta Giulia, it is possible to continue the route along the new section leading to Sparafucile, on the left bank of Lago di Mezzo, a section that is particularly picturesque due to its scenic views and rich vegetation. The route reaches the Rocca di Sparafucile (which cannot be visited inside), part of a late-medieval fortification that protected the village of San Giorgio.
To the left of the Rocca it is possible to visit the Parco dell'Arte, an en plein air gallery dedicated to contemporary sculpture created in 2013 with the placement of works of art as sculpture-installations, an art itinerary in which the works emphasise the naturalistic value in a sustainable manner, respecting the vegetation and environmental constraints.
Returning towards the fortress and crossing the Ponte di San Giorgio bridge, one can take the cycle path back to the city centre, for a relaxing break in one of the many historic cafés in the centre, a pleasant stroll through the city streets or a visit to the city museums.
