Waterways, castles and rare wildlife: Lodi is an ideal destination for outdoor trips in the beautiful Lombard countryside. Discover the best places to visit!

Visit what many consider to be Lodi’s most significant ecological investment. An ambitious attempt to create “a forest for the safeguard and improvement of the city”, the Plain Forest is a developing project aiming to reconcile the requirements of city life and environmental protection, returning to Lodi its rural landscape.   "Crowning the city in a green embrace” entails the complete redevelopment of a 40-hectare territory, with a nucleus already developing in the southern outskirts of the city and two more recently-added plots in the areas known respectively as Isolabella, near Maggiore Hospital, and "Ex-SICC". We set out from the Coldana Costino area, first plot of the Plain Forest, established in 2003 and counting nearly 40,000 forest essences. It features one humid zone, an ample educational area and a cycle and pedestrian path. Closer to the city, Isolabella Park presents itself as a large outdoor space framed with shrubby and woody plants, like poplars, ash and alder trees, viburnum and hazelnut. Linked to the cycle network, which connects to the city centre via cycle-pedestrian trail, the "Ex-SICC" area runs along a large curve of the Adda river and is divided into three subzones, each with its own distinctive essences denoting three separate natural functions:  an expanse of poplars, elms, mulberry, ash and cherry trees as far as your eyes can see.    (Ph: cailodi.it)

    Let's continue to Porlezza, a popular tourist destination at the north-eastern end of the lake, which can be reached by taking the Strada Statale 340 Regina road to Argegno and then crossing the Val d'Intelvi.   An embarkation point for lake cruises in the summer months, out of season it offers a more relaxed and charming atmosphere. The parish church dedicated to San Vittore, one of the 57 mediaeval parish churches of the ancient archdiocese of Milan, is well worth a visit, while a few kilometres from its centre, in the direction of Menaggio, we find Lake Piano, a nature reserve and EU Site of Community Importance, which must not be missed. Easy to ride and suitable for everyone, the 13.5-kilometre Porlezza-Menaggio cycle path links Lake Ceresio with Lake Como.  (Ph: wikipedia.org)

Touristic and panoramic itinerary, all on cycle paths that run along the two lakes, connected by a cycle path that flanks the brabbia marsh. Departure from Mercallo, I suggest taking the Lake Comabbio counterclockwise and the Lake of Varese in a clockwise direction. distance: km. 48 (see map) Included: Mountainbike bob padlock puncture repair kit Meeting point: Mercallo (VA) Via Torino crossing with Via Fornace, 9.30 - 10.30, where we will give you all the directions. Rates 1 Day € 40

A village to be discovered near Milan

A velodrome fit for champions. And more: churches, lakes, museums and an excellent virgin olive oil. From Garda to the course of the Chiese

Canals, tricycles and a funicular that made history. And, to drive away hunger, high-calorie soft cheeses (with or without bread)

Brabbia Nature Reserve: the most important wetland in Lombardy.

A cycle touring itinerary, suitable for everyone, to get to know and enhance the landscapes of the area west of Milan.

Un percorso tutto da scoprire

Outing in the Val Bregaglia.