THE GREAT RIVER BETWEEN ADRIA AND OCCHIOBELLO

(Adria – Occhiobello – 59 km)

After crossing the Venetian lagoon and the Delta area, where land meets water, in this stage the Green Tour takes us along the Venetian bank of the river Po, where we can pedal relaxedly and meditatively, our train of thought only broken up occasionally by the string of hamlets under the high embankment, while glimpsing the Great River across a wide floodplain that protects the countryside from possible floods. We set off from the pleasant town of Adria, the Etruscan Atriano. This is the second town in the Polesine area by number of residents after the chief town, Rovigo, and in antiquity was a port on the sea named after it. Our destination, Occhiobello, was long dominated by nearby Ferrara, to the point that its heavily populated neighbourhood of Santa Maria Maddalena used to be an integral part of the Estense region, before the Ficarolo breach deviated the course of the river and separated it from Pontelagoscuro in the 12th century. It is still a cultural melting pot, where the Venetian and Emilian spirit blend harmoniously.

After exiting Adria (km 0.0) you mostly follow regional cycling itinerary I-3 Via del Mare, the Way of the Sea, towards Rovigo. After riding a stretch of the Canal Bianco's right embankment, you head south towards the hamlet of Bottrighe (km 5.3), from which you will soon reach the left bank of the Po in the hamlet of Curicchi (km 6.9). That's the start of a leisurely stroll along the river, pedalling relaxedly past a string of pleasant hamlets, generally featuring the typical central square right next to the embankment, heralded from afar by the church tower. They provide the opportunity for a welcome break, especially in the summer, when you are constantly pedalling under the blazing sun, as the route is not shaded by any trees. You will pedal past Papozze (km 16.0), Villanova Marchesana (km 20.9), Crespino (km 27.7), Guarda Veneta (km 34.4), from which you can reach Rovigo (see below), and – preceded by the scenic villa Morosini – Polesella (km 39.2), starting point of the Adige-Po cycle route (see below). The bridges on the river Po, first the railway one, followed by the road and by the motorway, indicate you are about to enter the municipality of Occhiobello. After going through the sprawl of Santa Maria Maddalena (km 54.8), you will soon reach the town centre (km 59.5).

Possible detours

• From Adria you can easily reach the Adige cycle route between Pettorazza Grimani and Cavarzere (hamlet of Boscofondi) in some 13 km, on the low-traffic road through Orticelli and Fasana.

• Polesella is the Po end of the Adige-Po cycle route (www.ciclabileadigepo.it), which after approximately 32 km takes you to the Adige end of Barbuglio (11 km east of Badia Polesine) through the fine historical towns of Fratta Polesine and Lendinara.

• From Guarda Veneta you can get to Rovigo after some 15 km along regional itinerary I-3 Via del Mare, with a delightful entry into town on the Adigetto cycle path.

• You can cross the Po in Santa Maria Maddalena to get to Ferrara, going through the hamlet of Pontelagoscuro before reaching the city centre after 8 km.