From Bologna to Galliera, the Reno Cycle Route follows the river through river landscapes, villages suspended in time and agricultural vistas typical of the Emilian plain.
This route of about 40 km, almost all flat and well-marked, is perfect for cyclists of all levels. It starts from the vibrant urban life of Bologna and glides toward the open horizon of the countryside, following the banks of the Reno among floodplain forests, protected areas and small towns linked to the life of the river that tell the story of the tradition and culture of this part of the Bolognese plain.
A slow, immersive journey where pedaling also means listening: the rustle of the wind in the trees, the call of the herons, the voices of the small towns crossed. The ciclovia is much more than a route: it is an experience between nature and culture, to be savored with all the senses.
For those who wish to extend the itinerary or explore other areas by bike, we also recommend:
Starting from Bologna and following the banks of the Reno River in a northerly direction, you will reach the Golena San Vitale after about 10 kilometers.
The Golena San Vitale, between Castel Maggiore and Calderara di Reno, is one of the most fascinating sections of the Reno Ciclovia. Here the landscape changes face: the river vegetation becomes dense, the path meanders through alluvial forests, and nature takes over with all its wild beauty.
Herons, egrets and other local wildlife accompany the cyclist along a path that is also a small paradise for birdwatchers.
The Golena is a space of quiet and sensory immersion, where cycling means getting in tune with the river's ecosystem. A stop here gives an authentic look at the biodiversity of the Emilian plain.
What to see and do
The 16th-century Villa Salina, former property of Count Marcello Malpighi
The Cippo del Triumvirato in Sacerno
In September attend CondiMenti, a festival of literature and food
To taste
For more than two hundred years, the hamlet of Trebbo di Reno has held the Raviola Festival in March, a sweet cookie filled with mustard traditionally prepared on the occasion of St. Joseph's Day.
Shortly after leaving the vegetation of the floodplain, we reach Malacappa, a small hamlet of Argelato nestled between the bends of the Reno River.
Here time seems to slow down: low houses, discreet profiles, silences interrupted only by the flow of water and chattering among neighbors.
Malacappa retains the authentic charm of river villages, with picturesque views and stories related to daily life along the river. It is the perfect stop to rest, perhaps with a gastronomic break at one of the local eateries, before resuming cycling. A place that smells of memory and simplicity.
After about 3 km of pedaling from Malacappa, the cycle path leads to the Oratorio del Savignano, the only architectural evidence of an ancient rural village that has now disappeared. A manor house, stables, sheds and stores once stood here along one of the main roads linking town and country.
Once a vital junction between town and country, this area was traversed by one of the main roads and the site of a duty point for rural trade.
Today, in place of the hamlet--demolished in the 1960s--is a public park, particularly charming in spring due to the seasonal blooms.
The oratory, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, preserves the memory of an industrious past of rural life, workshops and relations between wayfarers and inhabitants. A pause here invites contemplation and remembrance in the quiet greenery of the Bolognese countryside.
To visit
Curiosities
Argelato in the past was served by the Bologna-Pieve di Cento Tramway, which you can now ride by bike to discover the old tramway stations.
The last stop on the itinerary, Pieve di Cento welcomes cyclists with its understated elegance and the unspoiled charm of Emilia's historic villages. The route opens onto a center rich in art, culture and traditions, where every corner tells a story.
Typical porticos (arcades) accompany the visitor between squares and stores, while the cultural heritage is worth a thorough stop.
To visit
A stage of art and beauty that is a worthy conclusion to a slow journey through nature, the river and memory.
Curiosities
For its porticos Pieve di Cento is known as the little Bologna, and it also preserves the urban layout of the Roman castrum with the addition of the four gates (Porta Bologna, Porta Ferrara, Porta Asia, Porta Cento) also connected to the architecture of the Emilian capital city.
