Rivers and lakes, all the way to the wine-growing hills of Novara, lands to be traversed at the slow, leisurely pace of a bicycle, gradually enjoying all their rich culture, landscapes, aromas, and flavors. Cycling along the water's edge, at your own pace, in the cross-border area, from Valais to Novara., along the cycle tourism networks recognised by the Piedmont region.
Un single major itinerary of approximately 270 kilometers Its dominant theme is water: along the route, rivers such as the Rhone, Toce, Ticino, and Sesia, lakes such as Mergozzo and Orta, and a dense network of irrigation canals that bring life to the rice paddies, are all nearby. Looking at this spectacle from above, you wouldn't even notice the distinction between Italy and Switzerland, but you would certainly notice the roads that In Bici a Pelo d'Acqua has brought together in a single itinerary to make it available to an international public who are increasingly choosing responsible and eco-sustainable tourism.
The goals
The strategic importance of In Bici a Pelo d'Acqua lies in its objectives: improving the competitiveness and economic potential of the areas involved. Making the most of all existing resources to increase the tourist attractiveness of the territories. Achieve an increase in attendance and therefore lead to significant economic benefits. Deseasonalize tourist flows, optimize existing resources, but integrate them in a way that makes them more effective, increasing presence in the territory. Continuously and increasingly specifically update the training of tourist figures such as guides, specialized guides and industry operators.
All for promote the culture of well-being, outdoor living, awareness of environmental respect and sustainability, for example, using alternative energy sources to charge e-bikes. This cycling itinerary, in fact, is not intended to be the creation of cycle paths but rather the networking of existing routes or the development of new routes on low-traffic municipal, provincial, and inter-farm roads.
Itineraries for everyone
There are 270 kilometers of cycle paths on four routes, for any type of bike: the Via del Mare, the Pedemontana, the Via del Ticino e del Lago Maggiore, and the Route du Rhone. These itineraries are united by the theme of water, which runs along the entire route, through rivers, lakes, irrigation canals, and rice paddies, from Switzerland's Valais canton, through Ossola, Lake Orta, and the Novara area, to the rice paddies of the Bassa and further along the Ticino River. Or, alternatively, cross the province from west to east along the Pedemontana.
They are routes suitable for all ages and for cycle tourists of all categoriesThere is the possibility of combining means of transport to avoid difficult stretches, such as the Simplon Pass, which can be avoided loading the bike onto the train that connects Brig to Domodossola. Or you can load your bike onto the Lake Orta ferry to travel from Pella to the island or village of Orta, thus avoiding the eastern side of the lake, which is more congested than the western side. Finally, cyclists arriving from nearby Lombardy can load their bikes onto the train and travel to Novara, then travel along the Via del Mare or the Via del Ticino and Lago Maggiore routes.
Cycle paths and facilities
The routes do not follow cycle paths but rather cycle routes. The distinction between the two is often confused. Usually in Italy cycle paths cover very short distances as they are protected routes reserved for cyclists where motorized traffic is prohibited. In the case of cycle paths are mixed routes, dirt country roads, low-traffic roads often municipal or provincial where the speed limit for motor vehicles is often set between 30 and 50 kilometres per hour.
Cycle paths and cycling along the water's edge form the combination that allows you to admire the small villages with their castles, the landscape that varies from mountains to hills, lakes, rivers and the edge of the rice fields of the Novara rice-growing plain with ancient farmhouses rich in evidence that take us back to times gone by with the history of the rice weeders.
In addition to the roads, the project and investments They also include the services related to cycle tourism already available, to enhance additional services for the benefit of cycle tourists such as: cycle workshops, bike-friendly accommodations, e-bike charging stations, bike maintenance stations, and specific signage along the routes.
The example
Villa Picchetta is located along the Ticino and Lake Maggiore cycle path. and is the headquarters of the Management Agency for the Protected Areas of Ticino and Lake Maggiore. Located near the banks of the Ticino River, which separates Piedmont from Lombardy, with a nearby train station, it consists of a U-shaped structure whose central body is surmounted by a lantern-topped dome, where the manor house once stood. Inside, the splendid Sala dell'Ottagono features interesting frescoes with grotesque decorations. A Bike Hotel has been set up here, designed specifically for cycling tourists.
In addition to those scattered around the area, there is a charging shelter for e-bikes located in the Novara Castle, where the Tourist Agency and the IAT are also located guaranteeing the possibility of renting bikes, having information and tourist materials for the users of the service 7 days a week.
To facilitate usability it has been created the site www.inbiciapelodacqua.it where cycle tourists can find all the useful information To be able to travel the individual itineraries with the help of downloadable tracks on your devices, to be able to stay in accommodations along the routes and have the services you need, cycle-repair shops, rental points and e-bike charging stations.
