Towpath of the Villoresi Canal – Villoresi Canal loop from Palazzolo Milanese
Towpath of the Villoresi Canal – Villoresi Canal loop from Palazzolo Milanese
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Towpath of the Villoresi Canal – Villoresi Canal loop from Palazzolo Milanese
05:45
107km
300m
Gravel riding
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: June 26, 2026
Tips
Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route
After 6.49 km for 88 m
After 100 km for 88 m
Waypoints
Start point
Train Station
Get Directions
5.74 km
Canale Villoresi
Lake
17.7 km
Towpath of the Villoresi Canal
Highlight • Cycleway
The Villoresi canal is quite old, it is more than 100 years old. It originates from the Panperduto dam in Somma Lombardo (VA) and, after 90 km, flows into the Adda river and then resumes its course and reaches the Po' river where its course ends.
Thanks to this canal, since the end of the 19th century, the Po Valley has become an expanse of crops of all kinds from rice paddies to corn fields.
Furthermore, a few years ago, the water from this canal was used to animate the water games during the Expo including the famous Tree of Life that we all know.
For all this organization we must thank the work of the East Ticino Villoresi Reclamation Consortium which provides maintenance of the canal every year.
For info below you will find the link to the first interview conducted by Legnano Web TV with some members of the Consortium
Translated by Google •
Tip by
28.5 km
Along the Alzaia of the Villoresi Canal
Highlight • Trail
Translated by Google •
Tip by
43.5 km
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
53.6 km
Panperduto Dam — Start of the Villoresi Canal
Highlight • Monument
The canal, which runs horizontally from west to east, in the upper plain of Milan, was completed in 1890.
The Industrial Canal: also known as the Vizzola canal, is an artificial watercourse that derives its waters from the Ticino river, through the Panperduto dam near Somma Lombardo, where the waters of the Villoresi canal are also derived[1]. The canal was inaugurated in 1900, with the name of "Vittorio Emanuele III industrial canal", its construction was due to the production of hydroelectric energy. In fact, the industrial canal drives the turbines of three hydroelectric power plants: the Vizzola power plant, the Tornavento power plant and the Castelli di Turbigo power plant. Just beyond this facility the canal branches into 3 channels: on the left most of the water (64 m³/s in summer, 35 m³/s in winter) flows into the Naviglio Grande, which receives its effective flow here; [2] in the centre, however, the Turbighetto discharger originates, having a flow rate of approximately 50 m³/s. This flows into the Ticino, after having activated the turbines of a fourth hydroelectric power plant: the Turbigo Inferiore power plant. The regression channel originates on the right. This third branch flows into the Ticino in the Casa delle Barche area. Through a gravel dam on the Ticino its waters are conveyed into the Langosco canal, activating the Varzi hydroelectric power plant.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
59.5 km
Industrial Canal and Lock System – Parco Lombardo della Valle del Ticino
Highlight • Structure
Translated by Google •
Tip by
76.1 km
Strada Alzaia Canale Villoresi (Buscate)
Highlight • Cycleway
Translated by Google •
Tip by
77.1 km
Alzaia Canale Villoresi Road (Arconate)
Highlight • Cycleway
Translated by Google •
Tip by
92.9 km
Villoresi Canal
Highlight • River
It originates from the River Ticino near the village of Somma Lombardo, and runs eastwards for 86 kilometres (53 mi) to the Adda River.
Construction began in 1877, but Villoresi himself died two years later. The works were completed in 1890 by a consortium.
Irrigation was the canal's main reason for being but the addition of locks enabled cargoes of sand to be carried along it.
Tip by
97.5 km
Alzaia Canale Villoresi Road (Arese)
Highlight • Cycleway
Translated by Google •
Tip by
107 km
End point
Train Station
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
43.1 km
32.2 km
22.8 km
7.60 km
1.02 km
< 100 m
Surfaces
60.5 km
21.0 km
14.3 km
7.54 km
3.00 km
483 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Thursday 9 July
33°C
20°C
53 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Comments
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Nb at km 16.3 continue straight at the roundabout on SP 119 dir and after a few meters you go onto the Villoresi cycle path. The detour I took is a meaningless single track in the middle of the fields, to be avoided.
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