Cycling TourismCycling Tourism

By train and bike from Ferrara to the Po Delta, between history, nature and adventure

by /// January 27, 2025
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

72 h

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72 h

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72 h

Time
72 h

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The Province of Ferrara, with its Po Delta Park, offers cyclists countless opportunities for a journey between art and nature, better if done in a sustainable way, using the FER – Ferrovie dell’Emilia-Romagna (Emilia-Romagna Railways) network and your own bicycle.

Here is the perfect itinerary for a different kind of holiday, among monuments and landscapes, travelling by train from Ferrara to Bondeno and then cycling along the Destra Po Cycle Route, one of the most important cycle paths in Italy.

Depending on your level of fitness, we suggest different options for the length of the cycle route below:

  • from Rocca Possente di Stellata to Francolino (40 km), returning directly to Ferrara along the cycle path (in 1 day).
  • from Rocca Possente di Stellata to Mesola (97 km), returning to Ferrara by train from Codigoro (in 1 day or 2 days, if you stop halfway, for example near Ro, and continue the next day).
  • from Rocca Possente di Stellata to Gorino (123 km), returning to Ferrara by train from Codigoro (2 or 3 days).

Before departure

Before setting off, a few specifications and recommendations

  • although the route is completely flat and asphalted, it is designed for trained cyclists as it requires several kilometres of cycling in a day.
  • the best time to ride this route is in spring and early autumn, when temperatures are mild but not too hot.
  • the Destra Po cycle path is completely exposed to the sun, so it is necessary to take the right equipment and a good supply of water.

First stop: Ferrara

Our adventure begins in the city of Ferrara, which is easily reached by train.
To select the train that allows bicycles on board, simply download the Trenitalia app and activate the ‘Travelling with your bike’ (Viaggia con la tua bici) option in the search screen.

The historic centre of the city is dominated by the majestic Estense Castle, an imposing fortress surrounded by a moat still filled with water, which tells the story of the great d’Este family.

Ferrara, Castello Estense, vista aerea Ph. trabantos via shutterstock
Ferrara, Estense Castello, vista aerea Ph. trabantos via shutterstock

As well as the castle, Ferrara’s Cathedral, with a façade halfway between Romanesque and Gothic, and the Renaissance Palazzo dei Diamanti, famous for its distinctive diamond-shaped façade, are also worth a visit. Discover a 10-step itinerary to visit Ferrara.

To end your visit in the spirit of the “city of bicycles”, we suggest that you get on your bike (or rent one if you prefer) and ride along the walls of Ferrara on two wheels, like a true Ferrarese.

Second stop: Rocca Possente di Stellata

The next day, return to the station with your bike early in the morning to catch the train to Bondeno and start exploring the countryside around Ferrara.
To select the train that allows bicycles on board, simply download the Trenitalia app and activate the ‘Travelling with your bike’ (Viaggia con la tua bici) option in the search screen.

After about 20 minutes on the train, get off at the Stellata Ficarolo stop and after about 15 minutes of pedalling you will reach the Rocca di Stellata, a fortress with a peculiar star-shaped layout that overlooks the Po river.
The Rocca, of medieval origin, was enlarged and strengthened by the Este family, who made it an outpost to control navigation on the Po, together with the Rocca di Ficarolo, built on the opposite bank.

Bondeno (FE), Rocca possente di Stellata Ph. Gaia Conventi via shutterstock
Bondeno (FE), Rocca possente di Stellata Ph. Gaia Conventi via shutterstock

This is the starting point of the Destra Po Cycle Route, a flat route surrounded by nature that accompanies the river Po on its last 100 km to the sea.
Included in the Eurovelo project, the Ciclabile Destra Po is the central section of route number 8 (the ‘Mediterranean Route’) and is one of the longest and most important cycle routes in Italy.

Third stop: Destra Po Cycle Route to Mesola

Following the Destra Po Cycle Route from Rocca di Stellata, a 97-kilometre ride will take you to the next stop on our itinerary, Mesola Castle.
But it is above all the ride that is, as the saying goes, “worth the trip”.

The first stretch of the Destra Po Cycle Route leaves the river and crosses Bondeno, and then plunges into the heart of the river landscape, touching places such as the Bosco di Porporana oasis and the Isola Bianca oasis.

For those who wish to return to Ferrara at this point, just after the Isola Bianca oasis, at Francolino, there is the cycle path that leads back to the city; this way the total route is about 60 km.

If you choose to continue along the Destra Po cycle path, you will reach the Ro floodplain, and the Serravalle bifurcation, where the Po di Goro tributary begins.

The itinerary continues along the Po di Goro river until it reaches Mesola, home to one of the most famous Delizie Estensi.
Mesola Castle, with its four imposing crenellated walls, was built between 1578 and 1583 on the orders of Alfonso II d’Este and was used by the Este family as a hunting lodge in the surrounding woods.

Mesola (FE), Castello della Mesola Ph. Andrew Mayovskyy via shutterstock
Mesola (FE), Mesola Castle Ph. Andrew Mayovskyy via shutterstock

The Gran Bosco della Mesola Nature Reserve is the largest wooded area in the Province of Ferrara and one of the last and best-preserved residual areas of lowland forest.
The Dune Deer still lives here protected.

To learn more you can visit the Museum housed inside Mesola Castle, while those who want to enter the Gran Bosco to try spotting deer can do so on foot or by bicycle, but only along authorized trails.

Mesola (FE), Riserva Naturale del Gran Bosco della Mesola Ph. Davide Zanin Photography via shutterstock
Mesola (FE), Gran Bosco della Mesola Nature Reserve Ph. Davide Zanin Photography via shutterstock

From here you can choose to end the trip by going to Codigoro via the Abbey of Pomposa (about 20 km) and take the train back to Ferrara, or you can continue the visit to Goro and Gorino and extend the trip for another day.

Fourth stop: Goro and Gorino

From Mesola, a ride of about 17 km takes you to Goro, an important fishing port on the Adriatic. A stop here for a meal based on local fish is a must.

From Goro and nearby Gorino it is also possible to take a motorboat for a boat trip in the Po Delta, perhaps to the famous Isola dell’Amore.
In fact, there are numerous opportunities to discover this fascinating corner of nature by boat, where it is possible to observe numerous species of birds.

Delta del Po, Faro di Goro, Isola dell'Amore Ph. Maurizio Bersanelli via shutterstock
Delta del Po, Goro Lighthouse, Isola dell’Amore Ph. Maurizio Bersanelli via shutterstock

Fifth stop: Abbazia di Pomposa

Finally, it is time to pick up the bike and head for the last stop on our long itinerary: Pomposa Abbey with its imposing 48-metre high bell tower.

Codigoro, Pomposa Abbey, Ph. leimmagini
Codigoro, Pomposa Abbey, Ph. leimmagini

It is an important medieval monastic centre that still retains much of its charm. Don’t miss the Basilica of Santa Maria, which contains one of the most valuable cycles of frescoes in the province, inspired by Giotto, and a beautiful mosaic floor. It was here, thanks to the monk Guido d’Arezzo, that musical writing based on the seven-note system was born.

From here it is easy to reach Codigoro, where you can take the train back to Ferrara station in about an hour and a half.
To select the train that allows bicycles on board, simply download the Trenitalia app and activate the ‘Travelling with your bike’ (Viaggia con la tua bici) option in the search screen.

Author

Elisa Mazzini

Social Media Manager for @inEmiliaRomagna and full-time mom.

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