Once we have reached Ostiglia on the main Green Tour itinerary, we can continue riding on the left bank of the Po westwards for an interesting detour to discover the Mincio Park. In this appendix, we visit the south part of this area of outstanding naturalistic value. Here, after forming the lakes around Mantua, the river flows slowly towards the Po forming the Vallazza Nature Reserve, a large marshy area bordered by thick reeds, where one can spot many birds such as herons, egrets and various other species. According to tradition, Virgil (Publius Vergilius Maro), the celebrated classic Latin poet, was born precisely in this area south-west of Mantua, in 70 AC. The author of the Aeneid was a prolific source of inspiration for the burgeoning Italian literature, starting with Dante of course, who chose him as his spiritual guide in his journey to the underworld. 

From piazza Cornelio Nepote, in the centre of Ostiglia (km 0.0), you soon reach the left bank of the Po, riding through Serravalle Po (km 3.4), Torriana (km 6.2), Libiola (km 7.7) and Sustinente (km 11.7). Just after Sustinente (km 14.8) you start riding up along the Mincio, first on the left bank and then on the right bank after Governolo (km 17.9). You then pedal away from the Mincio (km 20.7) and head to Bagnolo San Vito (km 25.2), on back roads and along canals. As you head out of Bagnolo you pedal in a pleasant setting along the Fossetta canal until (km 32.0) the municipality of Borgo Virgilio, to Pietole Vecchia, the ancient Andes, where Virgil was born. From there you reach the right bank of the Mincio again at one of the main docks to the Vallazza Nature Reserve, which is an easy ride away (km 32.9). You then continue along the Mincio through an especially pleasant wooded area, until you come to the city of Mantua (km 36.4). The experience of pedalling along the shore of the Inferiore, the lower lake, and into the very heart of the old town, piazza Sordello (km 39.1) is unforgettable.

Possible detours

• Just before Bagnolo San Vito you cross the Sun Route itinerary (Eurovelo 7, Bicitalia 1), which you can follow north towards Mantua and – continuing on Appendix 03 below – all the way to Peschiera del Garda. From the junction (located approximately at km 22.8 as described above) the Sun Route continues south, crosses over the Po in Correggio Micheli and goes through San Benedetto Po and Quistello, where it reaches the river Secchia, which it follows all the way to Modena. More information on www.bicitalia.org.

• Mantua is also a passing point of Bicitalia itinerary 16 “Slow Tyrrhenian-Brenner” from Livorno to Verona, the starting point of the Adige Nord - Isarco cycle route towards Trento, Bozen and the Brenner pass. More information on www.bicitalia.org.