The longest and somehow most varied and intriguing stage of the Green Tour takes us from the canals and seashore of Chioggia and Sottomarina deep into the amazing scenery of the Venetian Po delta, where land meets water, and all the way to Adria, in the heart of the Polesine. It is a memorable journey of discovery of one of the most stunning natural landscapes in northern Italy, that is as full of waterfowl as it is of lovers of fishing and birdwatchers, who appreciate its silence and boundless horizons.

This stage essentially follows regional cycling itinerary I-3 Via del Mare, the Way of the Sea. You leave the centre of Chioggia (km 0.0) and cycle along the Lusenzo lagoon, on a convenient and panoramic cycle path. You pedal through the hamlet of Brondolo, then across the Brenta river (km 5.5), and after the villages of Ca’ Lino (km 8.9) and Sant’Anna (km 13.8) you will ride next to the large Nordio forest, currently an important nature site bearing witness to the ancient lowland forests of the Veneto coast, until you finally reach the Adige river, which you cross at Cavanella d’Adige (km 18.5). After that, you ride along its right bank until (km 21.6) the start of the Valli di Rosolina road along the fish reserves. You will now enter a magnificent lagoon environment of grass and still water, the realm of many colonies of waterfowl, among which it is not uncommon to spot white and grey herons and pink flamingoes. After pedalling relaxedly for about 13 km in this extraordinary setting, in terms of landscape and fauna, you will reach (km 34.4) the left bank of the Po di Levante, which conveys the water from Canal Bianco into the sea. Head towards the mouth, where it is possible to cross over to the other bank at the village of Porto Levante (km 36.8) on a ferry that is in service from April 1st to October 15th, from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 7pm, with 1 hour maximum waiting time (call +39.329.8607630).

From Porto Levante you continue southwards, until (km 37.4), close to the mouth of Po di Levante, you come to the Valli di Porto Viro road. This is the start of a long and enchanting stretch through the lagoon landscape created by the various branches of the river Po, built over the centuries either by nature (such as the Ficarolo flood breach of 1152) or by man's work, as was the case of the monumental Taglio ("Cut") of Porto Viro, with which the Serenissima Republic created the new main riverbed of the Venetian Po in 1604. Pedal leisurely through this area, a true paradise for waterfowl and anglers, and you will reach the bank of the Po di Maistra (km 49.5), from which, just after the hamlet of Ca’ Pisani, you can then take a detour (km 55.7) towards Porto Tolle if you like. But if you continue, you will then reach the much more imposing bank of the Po di Venezia, just before the hamlet of Villaregia (km 57.4). Ride on to Contarina (km 68.6), which in 1995 joined Donada to form the municipality of Porto Viro, that had previously existed shortly during the fascist regime. You will now leave the Po di Venezia (km 71.0) and reach the Canal Bianco in a point where they are very close, near Cavanella Po (km 75.2), after which you will continue until the bridge (km 83.1). Cross the bridge and you will come to the centre of Adria, the destination of this stage (km 84.6).

Possible detours

• Chioggia is also crossed by regional itinerary I2 Veneto Loop, which leads along the Bacchiglione river to Pontelongo, Bovolenta, Battaglia Terme and then, along the Battaglia canal, past the famous spa resorts of the Euganean Hills, all the way to Padua and beyond. You can find all the information on the Veneto Region's website, www.veneto.eu : Itineraries - Sport and Tourism – Cycle Tourism).

• On the bridge of Cavanella d’Adige you will also cross the Adige South cycle route, which follows the right bank of the river for 150 km, almost entirely protected from traffic, from Verona to the river mouth. From there, it is possible to quickly get to Rosolina Mare in the east (some 12 km) or, if you head west, Cavarzere (15 km), Rovigo (45 km), Badia Polesine (69 km), Legnago (87 km) and Verona (138 km).

• As mentioned above, from the Po di Maistra, just after the hamlet of Ca’ Pisani, you can take a detour to Porto Tolle, an important town and the seat of the Po Delta Natural Park. Among the cycle touring itineraries in the area, one should not fail to mention the Anello della Donzella loop around the Donzella island (regional excursion E-3, information in www.veneto.eu).