Ticino River Park: A Two-Day Escape from Milan Through Abbeys, Villages & Local Flavors

If you dream of escaping the city, this is the itinerary for you. Just a few kilometers from Milan, the Ticino River Park is a unique place, suspended between nature and culture. Cycling through cultivated fields and stunning riverside landscapes, you can stop to taste local products certified by the Parco Ticino brand: cheeses, cured meats, honey, rice, vegetables and other products sourced directly from local farms.

Among riverside villages, historic abbeys, hidden canals, and protected natural corners, you’ll follow a two-day route that unfolds across several stages, each offering something special to discover. Every stop is a chance to connect with the territory and follow the flow of the river, enjoying an authentic and unforgettable experience far from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Itinerary highlights:

- Abbiategrasso and its historic center;

- Morimondo Abbey;

- Naviglio di Bereguardo Canal and Fallavecchia;

- Picnic along the Ticino River;

- Pavia, historic center and overnight stay;

- Borgo Ticino and ride to Vigevano;

- Canoe experience on the Ticino;

- Return to Milan by train.

The Lombard Park of the Ticino Valley is one of the largest and most important river parks in Italy, a truly special place where nature, culture, and traditions come together, inviting you to explore plains, woodlands, historic villages, and of course the enchanting river. The park covers more than 90,000 hectares, stretching along almost the entire course of the Ticino River between Lake Maggiore and the Po River.

Across the park runs a network of over 750 km of cycling and walking routes, including more than 100 km along the towpaths of the historic canals, ideal for exploring on foot, by bike, or by canoe. 

To help you find your way and discover points of interest, you can rely on the network of Park Centers and Park Information Points, which offer visitor information, guided tours, and educational and recreational activities. These stops are perfect for learning more about natural environments, historic towns, and local traditions.

You can experience the Ticino River Park in many different ways: hiking, cycling, canoeing, or even horseback riding, following themed trails and routes. All of this is best done at a slow pace, almost on tiptoe, to fully enjoy the park’s biodiversity and landscapes while respecting the environment and leaving no trace behind.

Setting off by bike from Milan early in the morning is both original and particularly captivating: you can leave behind the city’s still-sleepy hustle and follow a route that gently leads you into the heart of the Ticino River Park.

The Naviglio Grande cycle towpath, which starts in the south-western districts of Milan, takes you beyond the urban landscape and slowly introduces you to a setting of cultivated fields, historic farmhouses, and small towns. It’s a flat, easy route, ideal for starting the itinerary and fully experiencing the transition from city to countryside.

Cycling along the Naviglio, you can reach Abbiategrasso in about an hour and a half: from here, you’ll dive into the core of your two-day journey in the Ticino River Park, following the river and its surrounding landscape, alternating between rides, stops, and unforgettable experiences in the heart of the territory.

What to see and do:

- Bike trip from Milan to Abbiategrasso along the Naviglio Grande bike path.

Abbiategrasso is the perfect gateway and one of the cultural hearts of Ticino River Park. Start exploring from the historic center, strolling between the charming Piazza Marconi and Piazza Castello, admiring the Collegiata di Santa Maria Nuova with its Renaissance façade, and pausing in front of the Castello Visconteo, a symbol of the town’s medieval history.

Then, head towards the river, riding along quiet country lanes and observing rural life at the many farmsteads, where you can stop for a photo or simply breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the landscape. These peaceful roads, often lightly trafficked and surrounded by fields, lead you gradually to the Ticino, letting you feel the authentic rhythm of the territory.

If you visit Abbiategrasso in spring, you could attend the traditional Spring Fair organized by the municipality. Alternatively, at lunchtime, treat yourself to a tasting of typical local products from the Ticino River Park: cheese, honey, rice, cured meats, and beer.

What to see and do:

- Historic center of Abbiategrasso;

- Farmsteads in the countryside;

- Spring Fair or local product tasting.

After your stop in Abbiategrasso, get back on your bike and reach the village of Morimondo with a ride of just over 20 minutes through the countryside, among fields and the typical canals of Ticino River Park.

The centerpiece of this stage is the Abbey of Morimondo, a Cistercian monastery founded in 1134 by monks from France, a prime example of monastic organization following the ancient Ora et Labora rule prayer—and work—that shaped the rural and spiritual identity of these lands.

You can explore the complex with guided tours of about an hour, which allow you to visit not only the church, but also the cloister, the chapter hall, the monastic rooms, and the Abbey Museum, where you’ll discover the daily life of the monks and the secrets of its millennia-old history.

To make the visit even more immersive, you can take part in activities organized by the Abbey of Morimondo Foundation: thematic excursions such as paths dedicated to the monks’ medicinal herbs or natural trails around the monastery: original and captivating experiences, perfect for discovering the deep connection between the abbey and the surrounding Ticino River Park environment.

What to see and do:

- Abbey of Morimondo.

As the afternoon sun lights up the fields stretching across the plain, leave Morimondo behind and continue cycling through the countryside of the Ticino River Park toward the nearby village of Fallavecchia. Instead of following the main road, take a slightly longer route to reach the Naviglio di Bereguardo Canal.

Following the quiet and pleasant towpath alongside the canal, built in the 15th century to connect the Ticino River with the surrounding villages, offers a truly enchanting experience. You’ll admire the rows of trees lining the canal, the small bridges, and the side channels that have witnessed centuries of rural life, as if on a miniature journey through time.

Just a few kilometers and about twenty minutes bring you to Fallavecchia. In this compact and peaceful village, take a moment to enjoy the calm and authentic atmosphere of Ticino Park, and don’t miss a visit to the Church of San Giorgio, a small gem that tells the history of the village through its simple façade and the evocative frescoes and furnishings inside.

What to see and do:

- Naviglio di Bereguardo Canal;

- Fallavecchia and Church of San Giorgio.

After exploring the village of Fallavecchia, hop back on your bike and continue along the Naviglio in the direction of Bereguardo. Just past the town of Motta Visconti, turn right to reach the banks of the Ticino near the Parco Geraci Center.

Here you can enjoy a picnic by the river, taking advantage of the open spaces and breathing in the fresh air in the heart of nature. At the Center, housed in a renovated farmhouse, you’ll find an information point to help you get oriented and, by contacting the Park’s hiking guides, discover the activities available on site, such as guided walks, birdwatching, or canoe trips along the river. Alternatively, you can explore the marked trails and observe the bird species that frequent the wetlands restored by the Park from the observation hides.

If you want an extra cultural experience, you can visit Motta Visconti and stop by the museum dedicated to the poet Ada Negri – a perfect opportunity to combine nature and culture before continuing your journey through Ticino River Park.

What to see and do:

- Picnic at Parco Geraci Center;

- Ada Negri Museum, Motta Visconti.

From Motta Visconti, you can reach Pavia by bike in about one hour, passing through small villages along the way such as Boffalora and Torre d’Isola. You’ll arrive in Pavia in the late afternoon, just in time to enjoy the sunset along the banks of the Ticino River, with the striking silhouette of the historic Covered Bridge appearing in front of you.

Pavia is a charming historic city, lively thanks to the presence of one of the oldest Universities in Italy. Dusk is the perfect moment to explore the historic center, compact yet rich in atmosphere and cultural landmarks, such as the imposing Duomo with its large Renaissance dome, or the Visconti Castle, built in the 14th century and now home to the Civic Museums.

In the evening, Pavia offers scenic views along the river and a pleasant nightlife spread through pedestrian streets and the many cafés and restaurants around the main squares, especially Piazza della Vittoria. Here you can stop for an aperitivo or dinner outdoors before heading to your accommodation for the night.

What to see and do:

- Pavia, Covered Bridge and Lungoticino;

- Pavia historic center: Duomo, University, and Visconti Castle;

- Nightlife in Piazza della Vittoria.

After a well-deserved night of rest, hop back on your bike and get ready to explore a particularly charming district of Pavia: Borgo Ticino, on the opposite side of the river from the city center.
Il Borgo, as locals call it, is a small, self-contained area overlooking the river, still retaining its peaceful and authentic atmosphere. Here, you can take a short break to enjoy the views of the Ticino from the characteristic Parco del Vul.

From here, leave Pavia behind and begin the ride toward Vigevano, following a nearly two-hour route along quiet roads, through cultivated fields and a picturesque rural landscape. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by one of the most captivating urban centers in all of Lombardy!

The elegant Piazza Ducale serves as a dramatic entrance to the Castello Sforzesco, built in the 15th century and the heart of local life during the Renaissance: its towers, courtyards, and keep tell the story of the Sforza family and the city. The castle is connected to the Palazzo Ducale, the residential and administrative wing, now open for visits and cultural events.

What to see and do:

- Borgo Ticino, Pavia;

- Piazza Ducale and Castello Sforzesco, Vigevano.

After exploring Vigevano, you can complete your Ticino River Park experience with a truly unique activity: a canoe trip along the river near the “Ludovico il Moro” Hydroelectric Plant, built in 1904 in Liberty style and considered an outstanding example of industrial archaeology.

Inside, you can still see both the turbines in operation and the fully restored original ones, along with the historic control panel. The plant uses water channeled from the Naviglio Sforzesco to power the turbines and produce clean hydroelectric energy.

The plant is just a short ride outside the city center and easy to reach by bike. Once there, you can enjoy scenic canoe trips, perfect for observing the river landscape, local flora and fauna, or for experiencing exciting and immersive adventures on the Ticino’s waters. It’s an experience not to be missed, suitable for beginners as well as more experienced paddlers, with qualified instructors always present to ensure safety and fun, and the opportunity to observe the animals that still inhabit these protected areas.

To discover more sports opportunities and activities in the Park, you can explore the equipped facilities scattered throughout the area.

What to see and do:

- “Ludovico il Moro” Hydroelectric Plant;

- Canoe trip on the Ticino.

You are almost at the end of your itinerary in the heart of the Ticino Park. After your canoe excursion on the river, head back to Vigevano and reach the train station, which is just a few minutes away from Piazza Ducale. Follow Via XX Settembre, then continue for a short stretch along Via Cairoli.

Catch one of the frequent trains to Milan San Cristoforo and reach the Lombardy capital in under 30 minutes. For the return journey, the train is an excellent option, as it allows you to fully enjoy the second day of travel without worrying about timing or energy levels for cycling back to Milan.

In the end, what will stay with you from this two-day escape in the Ticino River Park will be far more than a simple outdoor experience: memories of quiet river landscapes, timeless villages, historic towns, and an authentic connection with a remarkable territory, best discovered slowly, at the rhythm of your pedaling.

What to see and do:

- Train return from Vigevano to Milan.