Secchia River cycle path

Cycle path, within everyone's reach, partly on its own course and partly on very low-traffic road, with a length ranging from 25 to 38 km depending on the detours.
Rubiera
Secchia River cycle path

Information

Via Fontana, 2 - 42048 Rubiera
Phone 0039 0522 627902 - Consorzio per la gestione dell'Area di Riequilibrio Ecologico della Cassa di espansione del fiume Secchia (Consortium for the management of the Ecological Rebalancing of the Secchia River Floodplain)
Mobile +39 348 5219711
Email RNSecchia@parchiemiliacentrale.it
sito web www.parchiemiliacentrale.it
sito web Regione Emilia-Romagna

Route characteristics

Route length: from 25 to 38 km depending on the detours.
Difficulty level: easy. The inner route is very easy, the route from Modena may have some difficulties due to car traffic.

Starting point: town centre of Modena (Piazza Grande is Heritage of Humanity acknowledged by UNESCO) or from the town centre of Rubiera.

Route description

From the town centre of Modena (Piazza Grande is Heritage of Humanity acknowledged by UNESCO), with a possible detour (in Campogalliano), it is possible to reach the destination of great naturalistic value: the reserve "Secchia River Floodplain". The route also includes Rubiera where it is possible to admire the ancient Ospitale, the town centre and the Romanesque parish church of S. Faustino.

Born at the end of the 70s as a "hydraulic safety" device to regulate the floods of the Secchia river, the expansion tanks (embankments with 8 km perimeter and floodable surface of about 200 hectares) have acquired multiple values ​​over time: element characteristic of the landscape, habitat for stopping and nesting birds and, last but not least, a destination for excursions and walks.
From Modena railway station you reach Via Emilia and follow it westwards, deviating beyond the city gates on a path along "minor" streets until you cross the Secchia with the beautiful "Barchetta" bridge. On the opposite bank you can deviate to the center of Campogalliano, otherwise from the Sanctuary of Sassola you reach the expansion tank which has at least three different types of environments: the plain forest, the reeds along the banks and the expanses of water, even with marsh vegetation. The proposed cycling route is well representative in that it allows you to have visual information on the overall habitat of the protected area; it consists of the complete turn of the banks, pleasantly enriched by some variations and by "contemplative" and wildlife stops, given the birdwatching vocation of the entire reserve.Born at the end of the 70s as a "hydraulic safety" device to regulate the floods of the Secchia river, the expansion tanks (embankments with 8 km perimeter and floodable surface of about 200 hectares) have acquired much significance ​​over time: element characteristic of the landscape, habitat for stop and nesting of birds and, last but not least, a destination for excursions and walks.

From Modena Railway Station it is possible to reach Via Emilia and follow it westwards, diverting beyond the town gateways on a path along "minor" streets until you cross the Secchia River with the beautiful "Barchetta" bridge. On the opposite bank it is possible to divert to the centre of Campogalliano, otherwise from the Sanctuary of Sassola you reach the expansion tank which has at least three different types of environments: the plain forest, the reeds along the banks and the expanses of water, even with marsh vegetation. The proposed cycling route allows you to have visual information on the overall habitat of the protected area; it consists of the complete tour of the banks, pleasantly enriched by some variations and by "contemplative" and wildlife stops, given the birdwatching vocation of the entire reserve.

How to get there

Rubiera

By car
From Reggio Emilia, drive along Via Emilia (SS9) in the direction of Modena.

By train
From Reggio Emilia Railway Station: Trenitalia regional train.

By bus
Public transport service bus No. 2