Cycling to Valle Re Water Springs

The route leading to the Fontanili di Corte Valle Re is a trail of considerable environmental, historical and scenic interest within the Reggio Emilia plain. The route mainly follows secondary roads with little traffic and sections of cycle paths, linking the city centre of Reggio Emilia with the protected area situated in the municipality of Campegine.

Route characteristics

The route passes through the typical agricultural landscape of the reclaimed land, characterised by a regular grid of canals, drainage channels and cultivated plots. The terrain is virtually flat, making the route easy to follow for a wide range of users. Along the way, visitors can observe the evolution of the local irrigation system and the historic rural structures that bear witness to the agricultural organisation of the area.

The Natural Reserve and the water springs

The highlight of the route from a scientific point of view is the Fontanili di Corte Valle Re Nature Reserve. The area protects the phenomenon of ‘risorgive’ or ‘fontanili’: natural springs where groundwater, upon encountering layers of impermeable soil, rises to the surface at a constant temperature throughout the year.

• Flora and Wildlife: The constant presence of water has encouraged the growth of hygrophilous vegetation (plants that thrive in damp conditions) and the establishment of bird and amphibian species that have disappeared elsewhere as a result of intensive agricultural development.

• Hydrogeological aspect: The springs are a remnant of the ancient wetlands that characterised the Po Valley before the large-scale land reclamation projects.

Historical settlements: Corte Valle Re

The Corte Valle Re settlement is an example of complex rural architecture. Historically linked to the productive management of the land, the farmstead combines residential functions with agricultural activities and the management of water resources. The surrounding area retains traces of Roman centuriation and subsequent medieval and Renaissance layers.

Technical information