Pavia: Cycling Routes, Nature and Culture

In the province of Pavia, travel experiences range from flat plains with canals and rice fields to wooded slopes and trails through nature reserves. Activities also vary considerably: you can focus on cycling routes and hiking trails, explore the landscape from the water, or visit cultural sites. When planning, it is worth first considering the kind of route you want and the landscape.

Cycling routes with different profiles

The Voghera–Varzi Greenway begins at Voghera railway station and ends in Varzi. Its two described sections differ in terrain: from Voghera to Salice Terme, a 14-kilometre stretch is flat; from Salice Terme to Varzi, a 19-kilometre stretch is hilly. The Greenway is paved for over 33 kilometres, follows a dedicated route with a gentle gradient, and is suitable for cyclists of different ages and experience levels.

The Lombard section of the Via Francigena is laid out differently: it can be travelled on foot, by bicycle or by train. Places along the route include Palestro, Robbio, Nicorvo and Mortara. Along the way, waterways, rivers and canals alternate with fields and rice paddies; the route also passes habitats for wild animals and birds. The two routes therefore differ not only in their profiles, but also in the ways of travelling described for each.

Forests, waterways and wildlife watching

The Lombard Ticino Valley Natural Park has more than 750 kilometres of cycling and walking trails, including over 100 kilometres along canal towpaths. The park can be explored on foot, by bicycle, canoe or on horseback. In the province of Pavia, places within the park include Pavia, Vigevano, Garlasco and Zerbolò.

The Anello delle Streghe offers a different natural landscape: it follows the Ticino embankment to the slow-flowing Ramo delle Streghe. Aquatic plants such as water lilies, water crowfoot and yellow irises, as well as amphibians and reptiles, can be found there. For walks in a higher-altitude landscape, there is the Monte Alpe Nature Reserve. It extends along the Apennine slope between the upper Val Staffora in the province of Pavia and the basin of the Tidone stream. Its highest point is the 1,254-metre summit of Monte Alpe. Trails through forests and meadows also lead to viewpoints and are suitable for different fitness levels.

Cultural sites and routes through the landscape

The Via del Sale connects churches, castles and villages with woodland trails where deer, roe deer and squirrels can be spotted. It can be explored on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike. The Anello del Molino d’Isella, by contrast, reveals a landscape shaped by agriculture: terraces, mostly used to grow maize and rice, are bordered by canals with vegetated banks. The slopes are mainly characterised by wooded areas with exotic species.

In Pavia, the Musei Civici are recognised museums; their collections include archaeology and the Early Middle Ages. In the rural landscape of the Pavia plain, the Certosa di Pavia brings together art, architecture and tranquillity to create a special visitor experience. As access arrangements may change, check current visiting options before your visit.

Rice fields and wine-growing in the Oltrepò Pavese

The Lomellina is known as a flat landscape of water and land. Its defining features include 60,000 hectares of rice fields, embankments, small villages and large farmsteads. The Lomellina’s expansive, agricultural plains form a striking contrast with the wooded slopes and hiking trails of Monte Alpe.

Wine and culture can also be explored as a focus in their own right. The Le Valli del Vino route passes through the three historic wine-growing valleys of Versa, Scuropasso and Coppa in the Oltrepò Pavese. In Montecalvo Versiggia, it connects Pinot Noir culture with small museums and historic wine cellars. For your trip to Pavia, you can consider the Le Valli del Vino route as a wine and culture focus alongside the routes through the Lomellina and the nature areas.

Discover more destinations: Castelletto Di Branduzzo, Santa Cristina, Menconico, Salice Terme, Certosa Di Pavia, Cava Manara, Pavia, Vidigulfo, Rivoltella, Marcignago, Cigognola, Montescano, Rocca De' Giorgi, Montalto Pavese, Montù Beccaria, Montecalvo Versiggia, Rosasco, Vigevano, Casei Gerola, Montebello Della Battaglia, Castello D'agogna, Robbio, Arena Po, Santa Margherita, Casteggio, Zerbolò, Sannazzaro De' Burgondi, Canneto, Dorno, Sala, Mede, Carbonara al Ticino, Godiasco, Val di Nizza, San Damiano Al Colle, Broni, Borgarello, Ceranova, San Giorgio di Lomellina, Ponte Nizza, Fortunago, Villanterio, Scaldasole, Tromello, Pieve Porto Morone, Zenevredo, Torre Beretti, Breme, Sartirana Lomellina, Carmine, Santa Giuletta, Spessa, Cilavegna, Ferrera Erbognone, Ottobiano, Codevilla, Golferenzo, Bressana, Montesegale, Palestro, Casa Bianca, Zinasco Vecchio, Cornale, Calvignano, Romagnese, Voghera, San Zenone Al Po, Ruino, Cervesina, San Paolo, Villanova De' Beretti, Gropello Cairoli, San Martino Siccomario, Brallo Di Pregola, Bereguardo, Gambolò, Varzi, Mortara, Semiana, Valverde, Garlasco, Stradella, Casorate Primo, Santa Maria Della Versa, Donelasco, Borgo Priolo, Siziano, Miradolo Terme, Torre D'isola, Sant'alessio Con Vialone, Rivanazzano, San Genesio Ed Uniti, Badia Pavese, Rovescala, Moriano, Settimo.

Back to the regional travel overview: Lombardy.