The best traffic-free bike rides around Spinea

Mira is a municipality in the metropolitan city of Venice, located along the Riviera del Brenta, a territory historically famous as a holiday resort for the Venetian nobility. The indissoluble bond with water characterizes the entire urban landscape, crossed by the Naviglio del Brenta and embellished with extraordinary patrician villas. Among these stands out the famous Villa Foscari, known as "La Malcontenta", an architectural masterpiece designed by Andrea Palladio and included in the UNESCO World Heritage. In addition to its extraordinary historical-artistic richness, Mira boasts significant economic importance due to its historic chemical and industrial hub, developed in the twentieth century near Porto Marghera. Today, the town combines the memory of villa civilization, its strategic proximity to the Venetian lagoon, and a vibrant productive reality, positioning itself as a crucial cultural and economic hub in the territory.

The Ancient Path "Troso" Scabello is a historic country lane of about 600 meters located in Trivignano. In the local dialect, the word "troso" indicates a path born from spontaneous trampling, and this route connects the Castellana road to the area of the ancient Scabello Mill on the Marzenego river. The track develops as a suggestive green corridor, bordering the Rio Storto between trees and ditches, preserving its original rural sinuosity. In the early eighties, the path risked closure by a private individual, but a mobilization of the local community defended its right of public passage in court, presenting as historical evidence its crucial use during a flood in the twentieth century. Today, saved by the citizens, the Troso Scabello is a precious dirt detour that ideally connects the Parco dei Laghetti and the Ca' Bianca Mill, away from traffic.

Located along the Marzenego river in Trivignano (VE), the Mulino Scabello is a gem of industrial archaeology dating back at least to 1533. Also known as Molin Rosso for the color of its walls or Molin Brusado, it testifies to the ancient milling economy of the Venetian mainland. The building is famous for its scenic spillway and for the carved head dated 1614 embedded in the overflow. Today, the area is a focal point of the Marzenego Park: the "Troso Scabello", a historic trail saved by citizens, and a wooden walkway allow for the rediscovery of the link between the river environment and rural history. It represents an unmissable stop for cycle tourists and walking enthusiasts seeking historical views off the classic tourist circuits.

The Mestre Forest includes the Zaher Forest, dedicated to the memory of Zaher Rezai, an Afghan boy who left his country in 2008 to undertake a difficult six-thousand-kilometer journey in the hope of reaching a country where he could live a better life. Disembarking from a ship in the port of Venice, he hid under a truck to cross the border. However, Zaher lost his life, crushed by the truck's wheels on a road not far from the forest dedicated to him. Next to his body, a clear bag was found containing a few cherished objects and the pages of a diary with sincere and touching phrases of hope and verses of poetry in ancient Persian.

Passing by here is always relaxing!

Fun single track to ride. Not recommended when it rains due to mud.

Built in the early 20th century, the former Forte Bazzera powder magazine was part of a larger defense system for the Venice lagoon. Once abandoned, it fell into disuse until its restoration in the 1990s. Today, it is a wonderful green space managed by a cultural and recreational committee. Among other things, it hosts the famous "Sagra dea Sbrisa."

Alternative to avoid the railway underpass: From here, you can also take the bridge over the railway – it's only a short stretch on the road, but it was the better option for me.