Po river: cycling from the source to Pavia Italy by bike, cycling along the Po river, Saluzzo, Torino, Pavia

If you love the enchanting scenery of the Alpine arc and the spectacle of nature, if you want to listen to its sounds, observe the animals that live there, perceive the harmony of colors, immerse yourself in the greenery and at the same time discover castles, fortresses, medieval, Romanesque and Baroque abbeys, royal Savoy residences, do not miss this trip. It starts from Pian del Re, at the foot of Monviso, where the great river originates; it descends passing from the Alps to the hills on which stands the splendid Saluzzo with its medieval charm to the plain of Racconigi and Stupinigi, both sites of Savoy residences surrounded by large parks. Then you reach Turin, the first capital of Italy, a city with a discreet and slightly mysterious charm that will surprise you and then, always pedaling in the greenery of the Po River Parks among flights of herons and egrets, you cross the Monferrato at the foot of hills covered with precious vineyards to finally reach Lombardy, the ancient city of Pavia near which stands the beautiful Certosa, an outstanding example of Renaissance art. The tour is part of the Eurovelo 8 route, the great trans-European network made up of 45,000 km of cycle paths and the BicItalia 2 route, the Italian cycle network that crosses all the regions.

1st day Individual arrival in Saluzzo
The medieval town perched on the hill at the foot of Monviso is a little gem. Former capital of the homonymous marquisate, an antiques fair is held there every year, an activity for which it is renowned.

2nd day Saluzzo – source of the Po (by minibus) - Saluzzo; descent by bike to Saluzzo approx. 44 km
A memorable route immersed in one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes offered by our Alps, letting yourself go down next to the foaming waters of the torrent that will later become the largest river in Italy.

3rd day Saluzzo – Cavour – Pinerolo approx. 47 Km
Along country roads that cross the orchards and vineyards of the area you reach Cavour with its fortress, a moraine hill - now a protected area - that rises in the middle of the plain. Overnight stay in the delightful Pinerolo, home of the historic riding school that for centuries trained the Savoy cavalry.

4th day Pinerolo – Stupinigi – Turin approx. 56 Km
Following beautiful cycle paths, first at the foot of the mountains, then along the Sangone torrent – ​​a tributary of the Po – you reach the Stupinigi hunting lodge, a Savoy residence and masterpiece by Juvarra, and then along the verdant area of ​​the Po River Park you arrive without even realising it in the heart of Turin, an elegant city with a vaguely French charm.

5th day Turin - Chivasso – Fontanetto approx. 69 Km
After a quick visit, you leave Turin always along the river in an easterly direction; once you reach Chivasso, you follow the Cavour canal for a short stretch, which here originates from the Po, and you soon find yourself in the middle of the rice fields of Crescentino, in a typical rural landscape, splendid in the month of May, when the rice fields are covered with water.

6th day Fontanetto – Casale Monferrato – Montevalenza approx. 55 km
From Fontanetto, a small village with an atmosphere that has remained unchanged over time, we continue through rice fields and enchanting views of the Po to Casale, a lively and charming little town that is the gateway to Monferrato, a land of wines and good food, before reaching the surroundings of Valenza, the most important centre of goldsmith art in Piedmont.

7th day Montevalenza – Pavia approx. 78 Km
After leaving Montevalenza, continue towards the Ticino, a historic river that marks the border with Piedmont; continue along rural roads flanked by ditches and canals and enter Pavia passing over the beautiful covered bridge over the Ticino.

8th day Pavia. End of the trip after breakfast

For the return to Saluzzo: by train (one change in Alessandria or Milan) + bus, about 5 hours or by private minibus

Optional routes:

1) 8-day tour without climbing the source and cutting the Monte valenza - Pavia stage in two
2) 7-day tour without climbing the source
3) 9-day tour cutting the Montevalenza - Pavia stage in two

Travel type   Individual

Departures   minimum 2 people; every Saturday from March 22nd to October 4th; other dates of your choice for a minimum of 4 people

Trip duration  8 days/7 nights

difficulty level  Easy

The itinerary is completely flat and therefore suitable for everyone and takes place on cycle paths or quiet secondary roads; however, some sections are dirt roads, so we recommend using a mountain bike or a city bike with sturdy tires. Departure from Pian della Regina will be possible - snow permitting - only from May/June onwards. Alternatively, on the first day you can take a tour on the cycle paths of the Saluzzo area.

Total km   318 

Type of bike  Trekking bike

Luggage transport  yes

Information meeting/briefing in the first hotel  no

Children 0-2 years free
Children 3 - 12 years 20% discount

The price includes

Overnight stays in ***/**** hotels and farmhouses with breakfast
Luggage transport from hotel to hotel (1 luggage per person)
GPS tracks 24-hour medical/luggage
24-hour medical/baggage insurance
Emergency telephone support   Registration fee

The price does not include

The journey to the starting point and back

Lunches and dinners

Visits and entrances

The tips

Extras of a personal nature in general

Everything not specified under "the price includes"

On request

Travel cancellation insurance
Additional nights in Turin, Saluzzo, Pavia
Parking in Saluzzo

Estimates for groups

By train: arrival in Turin and by bus to Saluzzo

By plane: arrival in Turin and by bus to Saluzzo
By car directly to Saluzzo

To book, fill out and send the registration form; pay 25% of the participation fee; pay the balance approximately one month before departure.