Tipologia
Track features.
Mid length track along Po riverbanks and local roads, through villages and fields. The road is almost tarred, but the initial stretch is partially gravelled.
Length: km 38.
Travelling time: 4 hours, including stops for visiting farms and museums.
The itinerary.
Start: The itinerary starts at Borgoforte bridge, on southern Po riverbank, near a gravel pit in the municipality of Motteggiana. Follow the riverbank; after the bend (km.1,5), proceed along the tarred road as far as Zara canal, a historically important old branch of the Po. In Torricella, you can see Quaranta and Nogarola farms. Proceed on your right side, then turn left at the church and follow the riverbank; you can enjoy poplar groves and precious nature spots in the flood plain. Near Tabellano (km. 9,5), you may turn right towards strada Arginotto to see Gonzagone farm. Go back to the riverbank to see the small Po river islands. Enter Riva di Suzzara (km. 16), where you can see Zamiola dairy (1880); at the church, turn left and, after Villa Superiore, cross the main road to get to Suzzara (km. 21,5).
In Suzzara, you should pay a visit to Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna – id est the modern art gallery -, which hosts important works by several XX century artists awarded the Suzzara Prize.
After this stop, go towards Pegognaga and then towards Brusatasso (km. 27,5); turn left along Bettine local road. Once you are at Gorizia farm, you may appreciate a big plane tree on the left side of the road; cross the railway, and turn left at Vie Nuove crossroads. At San Prospero cemetery halt (km. 33), turn right along Zara canal. When you are in Villa Saviola, take left along via Filzi towards Po riverbank (km. 35).
The riverbank runs to Motteggiana (km. 36,5), where you can admire Ghirardina farmhouse, which was likely built by Luca Fancelli in XV century on the orders of Gonzaga family. Then follow the riverbank as far as the starting point (km. 38).