Cycling through the land of good living

Between great rivers, watery plains and vine-covered hills, the province of Pavia is an ideal destination for those who love exploring the landscape by bicycle.

It is said that a young Albert Einstein himself enlivened his "Pavia years" with walks along the Ticino and cycling trips into the Oltrepò. Today, these same roads and riverbanks have become perfect cycle tourism routes: accessible paths, well connected to the rail network, and ideal for a day trip or a multi-stage journey.

From Pavia to explore the Pavese and beyond

Here is a route that ideally links the Visconti Castle of Pavia with those of Bereguardo and Abbiategrasso. You leave the city behind by crossing the evocative Ponte Coperto (Covered Bridge) and follow the Ticino northward. From here, you ride along embankments and secondary roads immersed in the greenery of the Ticino Park, through a landscape of irrigation canals, woodland and farmsteads. The route leads to the distinctive Ponte delle Barche di Bereguardo — a historic floating bridge over the river (set to reopen next July) — and the nearby Visconti Castle. From Bereguardo, you can continue along the towpath of the Naviglio di Bereguardo canal to Abbiategrasso, or return to Pavia along the opposite bank of the river.

Also in this area, the Fra il Ticino e il Po (Between the Ticino and the Po) route takes cyclists through the river landscapes of the province, with two possible starting points reachable by train: Chignolo Po on the right bank of the Po, or Arena Po on the left bank. The two routes meet at the striking Ponte della Becca, where the Ticino flows into the Po.

Another captivating experience is cycling along the Via Francigena, particularly the stretch between Pavia and Mortara, which takes you through historic villages and quiet countryside, following the ancient route of European pilgrims.

Lomellina by bike, in the water country between Vigevano and Mortara

A strip of plain bounded by three rivers and marked by expansive rice paddies, Lomellina is the realm of water. Here, the flat terrain and quiet country roads make the bicycle the ideal way to explore the land and its natural beauty.

One of the most interesting routes is the Giro della Lomellina, a loop of around 65 kilometres starting from Mortara. The route winds through a mosaic of rice fields and farmland, touching historically rich sites such as the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Lomello — one of the finest examples of Lombard Romanesque architecture — and the Castello di Scaldasole, a typical Visconti lowland fortress.

Another pleasant ride is the one between Vigevano and Mortara, two of Lomellina's main towns, also connected by railway. Starting from the magnificent Piazza Ducale in Vigevano and its Sforza Castle, you pedal along country roads and gravel tracks until you reach Mortara, a town historically linked to the Via Francigena pilgrimage route.

Cycling through the extraordinary landscape of Oltrepò

Crossing the Po and leaving the plain behind, you enter the Oltrepò Pavese — a land where cycling reveals a landscape of hills, vineyards and medieval villages, with plenty of opportunities for delicious stops at wineries and agritourism farms.

One of the most popular routes is the Greenway Voghera–Varzi, a cycling and walking path of over 30 kilometres that follows the track of a disused historic railway. The route connects Voghera with the Staffora Valley, passing through farmland, spa towns such as Rivanazzano Terme and Salice Terme, and ending at the medieval village of Varzi, listed among Italy's Most Beautiful Villages.

For more experienced cyclists, the Oltrepò also offers hilly routes with rolling terrain through vineyards and small villages. Panoramic roads lead to castles and historic towns such as Zavattarello, and on to more challenging climbs up to the Passo Penice, where views open out over the Apennines and the Val Trebbia.

Easy cycling, close to home

Thanks to its varied landscapes and easy access by car or train from Milan, Turin and beyond, Pavia and the province's towns — Vigevano, Mortara and Voghera among them — are perfect for cycle tourism through the land of good living.