From Bologna to the Lowlands along the Waterways

A linear cycling route connecting the heart of Bologna to Crevalcore. This flat route, approximately 43 kilometers long and taking about 3.5 hours to complete—excluding cultural stops—is ideal for touring cyclists or those riding gravel and e-bikes, thanks to a surface that seamlessly alternates between paved roads and unpaved dirt roads, taking advantage of the convenient intermodal connection between bike and train.

The cycling adventure begins in Bologna’s historic center, specifically at eXtraBO in Piazza del Nettuno. Before heading north, the route offers a picturesque view of the famous window of the Canale delle Moline, where the water reemerges between the buildings to introduce the true theme of the journey: Bologna’s ancient hydraulic system. Leaving the city center behind and skirting the back of Villa Angeletti, you’ll join the Ciclovia del Navile, a historic medieval artificial canal that once connected the city to the Po River and Venice, facilitating the transport of silk, goods, and grain; today, as you cycle along its banks, you can still glimpse the historic structures of the hydraulic supports that regulated the flow of water.

The urban landscape gradually gives way to open countryside as you head toward Trebbo di Reno to join the Ciclovia del Sole (Sun Route – EuroVelo 7) in the village of Osteria Nuova. From this point on, the ride takes you through a neat and geometric agricultural landscape, shaped by drainage canals, levees, and imposing hydraulic structures that constantly regulate the flow of water throughout the area.

Continuing north, you reach San Giovanni in Persiceto, a lively town rich in history and folk traditions. Exploring its historic center, you’ll come across the ancient Borgo Rotondo, a medieval settlement of Lombard origin unique for its circular urban layout. Just a short walk away lies the famous Piazzetta Betlemme, renowned for the colorful trompe-l’œil murals created by Hollywood set designer Gino Pellegrini, which transform the walls into open-air works of art. In the nearby Piazza del Popolo stands the Collegiate Church of St. John the Baptist, home to precious paintings by Guercino, Albani, and Gandolfi, while on the square’s pavement you can walk across the world’s largest open-air flat sundial.

Continuing along the road through the fields of the plain, the route heads straight toward Crevalcore. Upon entering the town, you’re greeted by its main historic buildings, such as the Church of San Silvestro, the striking civic tower, and the Municipal Theater.

The trip ends just a few meters away, at the Crevalcore Train Station, where you can easily load your bike onto regional trains and return to Bologna Centrale in complete comfort.