Mountain Bike Route from the Altomilanese,through the Insubria Varesina and the Seprio Comasco Comasco,crossing three Lombardy provinces ,Milan,Varese and Como.A very good test and training for good cyclists on a mixed route.
A very interesting route itinerary within a few kilometres across three provinces of Lombardy.Milan province in the area north of Milan,called Altomilanese starting from Legnano, famous city 27 km from the capital of Lombardy, crossing the Insubria Varesina with the towns of Castellanza,Marnate,Olgiate and Gorla in the province of Varese and the province of Como with the area of the Seprio Comasco crossing the towns of Mozzate,Limido Comasco,Lurago Marinone,Veniano until the splendid Pineta Park of Tradate and Appiano Gentile.
L
et's start from Legnano from the historic Piazza San Magno,with its Basilica built in Renaissance style in the 16th century, designed by Giovanni Antonio Amadeo,the famous genius architect from Paviia so popular for its great works of art in Milan, Bergamo,Pavia and Saronno.The actual Basilica was built over another church and it contains works by great artists such as Luini and Lanino,it is the vital centre, the heart of this historic city, famous for its Medieval Palio one of the most important in Italy after the Siena Palio ,remembering the legendary battle that took place in this area between Frederick Barbarossa of Swabia and the allied municipalities of different Italian provinces leaded by the hero Alberto da Giussano.The suggested route is a mixed itinerary with small climbs,curves,up and downs,a couple of long straights,good to pull long gears,and then an itinerary between hills, countryside and very attractive woods.
From the historic Piazza take direction Corso Sempione,the long national road leading to Milan and then turn on the left and follow the signals for Varese-Castellanza.After about 2 km turn right and continue entering in Castellanza taking Viale Lombardia, surpassing the tracks of the Northern Milan Railway Milan,where the Malpensa Express train connects the Airport to the city of Saronno continue in direction to Marnate.It is a long Avenue of about 2,5 km
After a roundabout begins an ascent of about 300 meters that can easily be done with a long gear and you come to Marnate.This small town was an ancient settlement Celto-Ligurian subsequently a Roman Castrum, on the west bank of the river Olona,During Roman Empire it was as little port used to transport goods and material to Mediolanum the actual city of Milan on the river and was reportedly for a few days in this place lived Frederick Barbarossa who stopped to Marnate after being wounded in a battle next to the river Ticino.
When you are in Marnate turn on the left Marnate in Via Valle and follow the signals to Olgiate Olona, pass down a small bridge over the river Olona,the descent is quite steep and the bridge has a curve quite insidious.Over the bridge you are in the middle of the Olona Valley and follow the road called Via Per Marnate,the road is not very wide,there is a little of up and down and after 400 mt approximately,you start a climb of about 500 meters,the first part is enough hard with a slope of about 7% in a small stretch and two bends,one very ample.
At the end of the climb you will be at Olgiate Olona in Via Tovo,over the bridge of the Motorway A8.Turn right in Via De Gasperi,a flat road of about 500 meters and then turn onto Via Diaz.The road continues up to a small roundabout next the Market Square and continue along Via Isonzo from here follow the signs to Gorla Minore with a steep descent of about 700 meters,the first curve is a little dangerous so be careful.
After hen a slight slope of 250 meters,you start a new climb of about 350 meters no hard about 4%,with two bends,the first is very ample,be careful to the second bend,it is in a point where the road becomes more closely and you are here in Prospiano hamlet of the town of Gorla Minore.Latin and ancient Roman settlement from which it derives its name, which means Gorula,curve of the river Olona and Minore means Minor,small.In this area there was a Roman Castrum in which were found some Roman remains.From here, take Via Raimondi and continue toward Via Colombo in a small slight slope up to a roundabout.
At the end of the climb there is roundabout turn left towards Tradate taking the SP19 the provincial road.The road is flat flanked by fields and small woods until to Gorla Maggiore,(where the river Olona has a wide curve).After about 4.0 km flat,at a roundabout take direction Como.You are cycling on Via Como,the road at the beginning is is flat,when you enter in a wide woods full of chestnut, locust and oak,start some slight ups and downs until,curves,after the woods,the road start to be flat once again and you left after about 5 km the Province of the Insubria Varesina entering in the Seprio Comasco in the Province of Como in the town of Mozzate.This small town of Celtic origin crossed by several small streams such as Bozzente, Bozzentino and Antiga was a Celt settlement in ancient time,later Roman and Lombard stronghold,an important crossroad from Como to the Southern Varesine Valleys to transport goods and agricultural products.
From Mozzate follow the signs Como taking the National Road Statale 233, passing through the towns of Limido Comasco and Lurago Marinone the road is pretty flat when you reach the town of Veniano the road start to be hilly and, after some ups and downs you start to climb a slight hill above 300 meters in Veniano to 3%, 4% before to arrive at Appiano Gentile at an altitude of 366 meters.Appiano Gentile historically is famous for being a stronghold of the noble Visconti family and the Duchy of Milan as well as having very interesting churches of 1500 and 1600 and it is also known for the "Pinetina" the training centre Angelo Moratti training centre of the football club FC Inter.
In Appiano Gentile you can enjoy in Mountain bike the splendid Parco Pineta the the Pines Park of Appiano Gentile and Tradate there are different hilly path in an area of 4.860 acres filled with pines, acacias,birches, elms,oaks and chestnuts,a green lung with some species of protected animals about 100 such as hawks,buzzards and other birds,dormice and a rare species of a local red squirrel.
This route of about 43 km, suitable for all good cyclists and mountain bikers a great training on a mixed route crossing a few kilometres in three Lombard provinces Milan, Varese and Como,The Altomilanese,the Insubria Varesina and the Seprio Comasco.It is an excellent natural itinerary,but also historical,with interesting cultural small towns and the beautiful natural scenery at the end of the Parco Pineta where you can continue here cycling in a splendid hilly natural park.
Francesco Mari
www.valleolona.com
www.parcopineta.org
www.laprovinciadicomo.it
www.vareselandoftourism.it
www.legnano.eu
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