The best cycling routes around Parco del Molgora

Montevecchia is a charming village suspended between Milan, Brianza and the Lecco Prealps. It stands at an altitude of almost 500 meters and overlooks the almost 3000 hectares of the Montevecchia and Curone Valley Regional Park, where the famous Pyramids, mysterious rock formations, emerge.

The Naviglio della Martesana, initially known as Naviglio Piccolo, is one of the Milanese canals that connects Milan with the course of the Adda river through the municipalities of Martesana. Commissioned in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, it was used for irrigating the countryside but also represented the ambitious project of connecting Milan with Lake Como and thus with the Alps and Ticino. The Naviglio della Martesana is a place rich in history and beauty, a heritage for everyone that, however, today is still little known and protected. Along the Naviglio runs a rather busy cycle path, which allows you to admire the landscape and cultural beauties, such as the rich flora, fauna, or the numerous historic villas, including the Renaissance Villa Melzi d’Eril in Vaprio d’Adda.

The Villoresi Canal towpath cycle path is a flat, almost entirely dedicated cycle-pedestrian route of about 85-90 km, connecting the Ticino river (Panperduto, Somma Lombardo dams) to the Adda river (Groppello). It crosses the Brianza and the northern area of Milan, ideal for cycle touring, gravel/MTB bikes, and walks.

The imposing water wheel (about eleven meters in diameter) was built in the early 17th century by Cardinal Federico Borromeo to lift water from the canal and convey it to the nearby Archbishop's Palace. A washhouse can be seen near the wheel.

This church was dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, also known as the "Princes of the Apostles." Their feast day is June 29. Simon, nicknamed Peter (Rock), was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee when he and his brother Andrew were called by Jesus Christ to be "fishers of men." According to Catholic doctrine, he is the chief apostle, and the two-thousand-year line of popes—currently Francis—follows him. In statues and paintings, Peter is almost always depicted with two keys in his hand. This attribute refers to the biblical passage in Matthew: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19). Simon, nicknamed Peter (Rock), was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee when he and his brother Andrew were called by Jesus Christ to be "fishers of men." Paul was initially an opponent of the Christian movement and, unlike the other apostles, was not called to the apostleship by Jesus Christ during his lifetime, but was converted later through the famous "Damascus Road experience." His attribute is the sword with which he was executed. Such a sentence was a "privilege" under Roman law at the time (a swift death, unlike other forms of execution which involved a long, agonizing death struggle) afforded to the citizens of Rome.

Villa Anguissola in Busca D’Adda is a historic neoclassical residence, built primarily in 1807 on the initiative of Count Carlo Francesco Anguissola. Despite the deterioration it suffered, it has been restored and is considered a notable example of neoclassical architecture in Brianza, with roots that also include a 17th-century palace and a 15th-century farm building.

Stairway Leading to Cypress Hill

The cycle path from Lago di Garlate along the Adda River is natural and therefore bumpy, but beautiful. An impressive hydroelectric power plant and a road/rail bridge near Paderno d'Adda showcase architecture from 100 years ago. This bridge is continuously monitored by a measuring system. You can see the monitoring as you cycle up to Paderno from the cycle path.