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 (14.8 km) 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 continue on the Mincio's right bank for about 8 km on a pleasant gravel path, which you leave near the Chiavica Travata sluice (km 25.6) to ride on tarmac again to Bagnolo San Vito (km 27.2). Head out of Bagnolo and you will pedal in a pleasant and lush setting until (km 34.2) Pietole Vecchia in the municipality of Borgo Virgilio, the ancient Andes, where Virgil was born. From there you reach the right bank of the Mincio again at one of the main docks in the Vallazza Nature Reserve, which can be reached easily (km 34.5). Turn left along the river Mincio, and after 600 m you can choose between two options. The first, recently turned into the main route, continues through the open countryside to the hamlet of Cerese (km 37.7), where you take the fine bike path along the SS62 Cisa State Road to the very threshold of Mantua at the intersection with the level crossing of the Mantua-Cremona railway line (km 36.4). Here, you continue on the other side on Strada Bosco Virgiliano until you enter the forest (km 40.9). The second option is a particularly charming wooded section (though at certain times of the year it may be hard to ride) that begins on the right. Following it for about 2 km alongside the Vallazza Reserve, you emerge from the woods at the entry point mentioned above. From there, continue passing under the SP28 Provincial Road after 70 m and through the Lord Baden Powell park; take via Ariosto (km 41.2) and continue left across Strada Diga Masetti on the woodland path that runs alongside the Lower Lake. After crossing the bike and footbridge of Porto Catena (km 42.5) we continue in the park by the lake, finally reaching the historic heart of the city, piazza Sordello (km 43.8).

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.