The path starts from the railway station of Abbiategrasso (line Milan – Mortara), a city that has always been the Milanese gate towards the Lomellina area. Rich in canals and freshwater springs, but also in history, today this industrious town is a point of interest that promotes the qualities of the territory and itstypical productslike the famous gorgonzola, cold cuts and rice. The city is in fact part of theSlowFood association and every year it organizes a very popular gastronomic festival.
The old town centre is very remarkable too (Castello Visconteo, Annunciata and church of S. Maria Nuova) and alsothe suburb from which the Naviglio Grande crosses with the Naviglio di Bereguardo. This ideal path, in fact, stretchesout from the station of the Alzaia del Naviglio in Bereguardo (accessible by bike if you watch out for rules and limits) and continues towards the south between fields, plants and shrubs. Once you pass the famous basincalled “Conca dell’Abbazia” (which is considered one of the oldest basins in the world dating back to 1438), at Morimondowe leave the Alzaia and we take the road to the right that leads toward the inhabited centre, the same one that leads to the Cistercian Abbey, founded in 1134; from here we go to the valley, a place rich in history where the agricultural landscape, designed by the skilful hands of the monks, shows the harmony of those who know how to plan in respect of environmental resources. Small groves and fountains frame the crops, in which water meadows, ancient cultures able to feed animals even in the winter with snow and frost, still stand out to this day thanks to the conservation project of the Park.
Traveling pleasantly the paths and following the road signs, you will arrive at the Cascina Caremma. This farm works with the Park and stands out for its agricultural and biologically cultivated crops. Very important has been the study that reintroduced the ancient grapescultivar in the vineyard.Going back towards the summit of the valley, you reach the town of Besate; when you will see an ancient and recently restored washhouse, follow the road that runs alongside of it and that leads to the cemetery. Once you pass Cascina Agnella you cancontinue towards Motta. Motta Visconti is a charming village where one of the greatest Italian poets, Ada Negri, lived for a short period when she used to teach at the local middle school and where she wrote some of her most beautiful works. A museum recalls her presence but Motta Visconti, country of “paddy fields workers, woodcutters, hatchet masters and basket makers” to this day maintains rich historical traditions and ancient bonds with River Ticino.The trail then re-joins the road that from the centre of the villageleads, by turning right,to the Imbarcadero and the Parking Guado della Signora. When you reach the parking lot, at the end of a sudden slope, follow the signs for the Centro ParcoGeraci, property area of the Park, the ideal place for a stopover in the picnic area and for booking a white-water canoeing trip. The centre includes a former manor house and an adjacent cottage suitably used for tourist reception and ideal for educational and recreational activities.
For the return trip, you can followthe same path until the slope into the Besate valley: instead of going towards Cascina Caremma, precisely at the end of the slope, turn right at the country road and go along the path named “Delle 5 Chiese”. The trail touches one village of Morimondo called Fallavecchia (FaraVenula). This village has a very beautiful church, the one of San Giorgio, – where a statue of the Madonnais preserved, considered by believers as miraculous – and is secluded within a typical Lombardfarmstead with a closed court.From here, we can see the valley appearing in the distance like a green carpet, where woods, poplars and fields merge into one colour with different shades.
After a short stretch a few meters long on the provincial road, take the one on the left along the road that passes behind the small cemetery of Fallavecchia and you will arrive at the Fosson Morto area. From here,continue along a stretch on the paved road and, by following the signs of the Vie Verdi you can cross the ditch and then take the road on the left. The path passes below the hamlet of Basiano (FaraBasiliana) and the one of Coronate, where on top of it you can see the church of Santa Maria Nascente (first residence of Cistercian monks arrived from Mormond). Then the path leads to Morimondo and from here you can travelon the opposite side of the outward stretch towardsthe Naviglio di Bereguardo and Abbiategrasso.
You should also know that part of the route runs on the Sentiero E1, the ancestor of European trails reserved for hikers and considered by everyone as the most beautiful and interesting among the existing ones to this today. 4900 km long, it starts from Capo Nord and arrives to CasoPassero, in Sicilia. It enters the Ticino Park near Osmate (VA) and exits after Pavia, heading towards the Ligurian Apennines.
