Mirandola - Valli “Le Partite" - Carpi

Length: Km 60
Type of route: 82% asphalt, 18% unmetalled
Difficulty: taxing but completely level
Time needed: 4.5 / 5 hours

Introduction
The first part of this route is characterized by wide spaces with few inhabitants and by a valley environment, rich in wet zones, marsh plants, wild fauna and suggestive buildings called "Barchessoni". The horizons are vast; on clear days the view ranges from the Euganean Hills and the Lombard Alps in the north to the entire Apennines of Emilia in the south. The River Po is only a few kilometres distant as the crow flies


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L’itinerario

Itinerary
Mirandola, zone of Cividale: the route starts from the Railway Station (Bologna- Verona line), Via Gramsci, in the only possible direction (WEST). After 120 m in Via Cavo, after the level crossing, road turns. At 2.2 km from the beginning of the route, road forks, at 2.4 km road forks (leaving Via Cazzuola on your right); there is a section of unmetalled road between approx. 4 km and 5.7 km. At 6.14 km road forks (at this point a short detour is possible to reach - shortly after - the "Valli di Mortizzuolo" Fauna Oasis, a vast wet zone visible also from the main route, equipped with lookout tower, observation routes and rest areas). At 6.33 km road forks into Via Pitoccheria following the "Valli le Partite" sign. At 6.63 km a section of unmetalled road begins - to the left and right extensive wet zones are visible with rest points and observation routes. Continue, at 8.88 km after bridge and fork, in Via delle Partite. At 10 km, after bridge, follow the sign for "Barchessoni" - passing through a gate and barrier which, even when closed, allow bicycle transit; shortly after the road follows the edge ( ) of a recently formed wood with adjacent observation tower and ( ) rest area. At 12.35 km, at the level of an agricultural silo, follow the sign for the lake. Continue to reach the Barchessone Vecchio (Centro "La Raganella"). Return to the main road (at the agricultural silo), retracing part of the route. At 13.1 km, take Via Giavarotta, which crosses cultivated areas. At 15.85 km, at the level of a bridge, cross a barrier; the unmetalled road finishes here. At 15.99 km road forks into Via delle Valli. At 17.29 road forks (Luia zone); follow the sign for S. Felice. At 22.56 road forks; follow the sign for Mirandola. Continue, at 28.52 take fork for Mirandola, follow the cycle lane in the Confine zone, go straight ahead at the crossroads at the end of the village to reach Mortizzuolo, a zone of Mirandola. At 30.65 road forks, at the level of the branch of the Banca Popolare di S. Felice, into Via Imperiale and continues till after the level crossing. At 32.1 km road forks in the direction of Mirandola and continues along Via Imperiale which at times runs alongside the Diversivo canal. At 34.44 road forks, continuing along Via Imperiale in the direction of S. Giacomo Roncole. At 35.88 road forks, still continuing along Via Imperiale and passing beyond the Diversivo canal. At 36.58 km (sign marking beginning of town of Mirandola) (towards SOUTH) take the "Chico Mendez" cycle track following the path of the dismantled Mirandola-Modena railway line. By taking the cycle track towards the NORTH you can reach the city centre. At 38.54 km the "Chico Mendez" cycle track finishes; continue straight ahead, taking Via Bologna in the village of Medolla. At 39.31 km road forks into Via Roma (S.S. 468), following the cycle lane. At 39.65 km crossroads with S.S. 12, continue towards Cavezzo immediately after to follow the road from which the ancient artificial shoulder of "Montalbano" can be seen. At 41.26 road forks towards Cavezzo; at the beginning of the village, at the crossroads with Via Cavour, follow the sign for Carpi and cross the centre of Cavezzo. At 43.57 km road forks towards Carpi; take the cycle lane alongside S.S. 468; continue, passing the Ponte Motta zone and bridge over the River Secchia. At 48 km road forks into Via Canalvecchio Sud, following the sign for San Martino Secchia. At this point a short variant is possible, reaching the small township on the river bank. Return to the main route and continue. At 51.35 km the road bends to the right, at next fork take Via Morbidina, then Via Griduzza. Road forks at 57.2 km, take S.S. 468 and enter the village of Carpi on the cycle lane. Level crossing at 59.12 followed by Via Ariosto. Crossroads with traffic lights at 59.62 km, continue in Via D. Dallai to reach the railway station.

Curiosities

Valli Le Partite Naturalistic Area (c. 500 hectares)
The Valleys, created by the combined action of the Rivers Secchia, Panaro and Po, are areas which have undergone important reclamation works over the centuries. The morphological, geological and environmental features of this territory, in which water remains the predominant element, together with the very low population, have permitted the Valleys to become a vast nature reserve, rich in fauna (coots, herons, water-hens, marsh hawks) flora (marsh reeds, bulrushes, flowering rushes, hawthorn, blackthorn, holm oaks, tamarisks). The area has been improved with several restorative actions and the implementation of a project for nature itineraries to be followed on foot or by bicycle. Of particular interest is the "Barchessoni" route. The Barchessoni are circular buildings used in the past to shelter horses; they have a single storey with a central supporting column and a single internal order of pillars arranged around the central column.

Not to be missed...

Mirandola
An interesting town, enriched over time both architecturally and culturally, thanks especially to the Pico family, and in particular Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, humanist, philosopher and poet. Worth a visit are: the Church of S. Francesco, built at the end of the 13th century and rebuilt by Costanza Pico in the 15th century for use as the family "Pantheon"; the Chiesa del Gesù, in baroque style, enriched by stuccoes, statues and magnificent, colossal baroque altars in mountain cypress.

More Routes in Carpi

Info

IAT Terre d'Argine  - Terre d'Argine Tourist Office

Corso Alberto Pio 91
41012 Carpi (Modena)
t. +39 059 649 693/792
f. +39 059 649 774
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