Most cycleways are suitable for anyone: from the little and inexperienced ones to bike veterans. Peschiera - Mantova Cycle path, also known with the name of Mincio Cycle route is not an exception. For almost 50 kilometers it flanks the river Mincio running flat in the heathlands of Lombardy. I must tell you the truth: Peschiera - Mantova Cycle Route is a cycling route among the simplest I have ever traveled in my life... have you ever been there?
In this article
Looking for the old railway...
Perhaps not everyone knows that between 1934 and 1967 the cyclists were not reflected in the waters of the Mincio river but the trains that connected Lake Garda to the city of Mantua. The railtrail single track crossed the landscape of the plain full of tourists and travelers, but also of workers and onlookers ... but as often happens, the train became obsolete soon and the section abandoned and disarmed to make room, years later, for one of the most famous cycle paths in Italy.
Cycling Mincio Cycle Route
Mincio Cycle Route, which crosses a part of the Po Valley meandering till the city of Mantua, starts from the province of Verona and more precisely from the touristic resort of Peschiera del Garda overlooking the lake with the same name. 
After overstepping one of the gates of Peschiera del Garda you go for a few tens of meters on the left and then cross going down some gardens and start cycling along the real Mincio Cycle Path, the river born a few seconds earlier out of Lake Garda.
After overstepping one of the gates of Peschiera del Garda you go for a few tens of meters on the left and then cross going down some gardens and start cycling along the real Mincio Cycle Path, the river born a few seconds earlier out of Lake Garda.The first part of the Peschiera - Mantova cycleway skirts the venician fortified wall of Peschiera become an UNESCO heritage in 2017
Peschiera - Mantova Cycle Route is part of the itinerary number 7 of the Eurovelo cycling routes, that from North Cape, after more than 7000 km, arrives to the island of Malta. Running flat, the cycle path reaches in a few kilometers Dolci, Ponti sul Mincio and Mozambano, located in the Mincio Park.
The territory of Mozambano, even though you wouldn't say, is mainly hilly thanks to the morainic hills that characterize it. A visit to the medieval castle is not to be missed. From the village of Mozambano you can extend the route deviating to Castellaro Lagusello, one of the most beautiful villages of Italy, dominated by the manor house of the X-XI century.
In Castellaro Lagusello there is also one of the 111 stilt house sites of the Alps protected by UNESCO. The itinerary continues cycling regularly to the south continuing to go beyond the border between Veneto and Lombardy, between the province of Verona and Mantua. Valeggio sul Mincio, known for its tasty tortellini (the recipe seems to date back to the fourteenth century), appears on the left almost to guard the cycle path from above. Close to the village the cycle path crosses one of the most characteristic places along the route: Borghetto. Enlisted among the most beautiful villages in Italy, Borghetto boasts some mills, a picturesque bridge from where you have maybe the best views on the small village and an ancient story about the Lombards. Along the banks of the river Mincio it isn’t difficult to spot, especially in spring, some aquatic birds like Eurasian coots, mallards and common moorhens. Keep your camera ready and, who knows, maybe you’ll be able to capture some beautiful moments! 
The territory of Mozambano, even though you wouldn't say, is mainly hilly thanks to the morainic hills that characterize it. A visit to the medieval castle is not to be missed. From the village of Mozambano you can extend the route deviating to Castellaro Lagusello, one of the most beautiful villages of Italy, dominated by the manor house of the X-XI century.In Castellaro Lagusello there is also one of the 111 stilt house sites of the Alps protected by UNESCO. The itinerary continues cycling regularly to the south continuing to go beyond the border between Veneto and Lombardy, between the province of Verona and Mantua. Valeggio sul Mincio, known for its tasty tortellini (the recipe seems to date back to the fourteenth century), appears on the left almost to guard the cycle path from above. Close to the village the cycle path crosses one of the most characteristic places along the route: Borghetto. Enlisted among the most beautiful villages in Italy, Borghetto boasts some mills, a picturesque bridge from where you have maybe the best views on the small village and an ancient story about the Lombards. Along the banks of the river Mincio it isn’t difficult to spot, especially in spring, some aquatic birds like Eurasian coots, mallards and common moorhens. Keep your camera ready and, who knows, maybe you’ll be able to capture some beautiful moments! Entering definitely the territory of Mantua you’ll notice that each village has its own castle or its structural peculiarities, this is right the reason why I suggest that you cycle slowly to enjoy this day along the Mincio Cycle Path in full harmony with what surrounds you.
Probably, before arriving in Mantua, you’ll also be able to bump into a funny coypu, a sort of beaver with a wharf-rat tail. Coypus are not endemic of Italy but were introduced on our territory because of their fur. Nowadays they’re not hunted anymore and coypus have completely occupied the wetlands of the Po Valley and other areas in Italy damaging the territory.
Mantua... finally!
The triumphant arrival in Mantua, UNESCO heritage ste, takes place pedaling between the three city lakes along a very scenic bridge. The skyline of the city will immediately win you over as well as the many places of interest in Mantua: from the San Lorenzo monument to the Clock Tower, from the Tea Palace to the Captain's one, from the most famous Palazzo Ducale to Casa Mantegna without mentioning all the churches and the historic homes of the city. Don't forget to take a walk in Piazza Broletto and to taste the local cold cuts, the capunsei, the pumpkin tortelli and, if you still have a hole in your stomach, a pot of braised meat or stew.
When to go and why
Peschiera - Mantova Cycle Route stretches entirely in the lowland offering landscapes very different from those of the Adige Cycle Path or of the Valsugana Cycle Path. The ideal periods to discover this corner of Italy is spring and the fall when temperatures are milder, moisture doesn't make you choke when pedaling and cycle-tourists pedaling along the Mincio are fewer. Another peculiarity of spring is that of granting the possibility to spot some newborn chicks swimming in an awkward way on the water, a good opportunity for practicing birdwatching!
In summer the Po Valley is a real oven and the moisture rate makes the journey difficult. In addition, due to the high number of visitors of Lake Garda, you may run into bike traffic jams. In autumn the lowland is often subject to the fog and, if you love horror movies or you aren’t interested in visiting villages and castles stand out in the sky from a smoky blanket, travel along Mincio cycle path at this time could turn out to be an unique, evocative experience! 
What to see along the Peschiera – Mantova Cycle Path
Between the provinces of Verona and Mantua, Mincio cycle path connects Peschiera to Mantua in about 50 km but, along the original itinerary, you meet other deviations connecting to nearby villages or leading to Mantua through alternative ways, maybe passing through many interesting places to visit!
To sleep... and eat!
To sleep along the Mincio cycle path I chose the Ostello del Mincio which is a cheap lodge divided in private rooms or dorms directly overlooking the river. In my opinion this place really deserves a visit also because from here you can start to go exploring the river with a canoe or by boat. A bed in the dorm is 20 € per person but if you are an affiliate of the AIG you spend 17€ a night. To have further information have a look at the official website!
To eat something typical you cannot miss a stop in Valeggio sul Mincio for tortellini, maybe after visiting the beautiful Borghetto.
You find further information on the area of the Mincio cycle path having a look on the tourist website of Lombardia region. Enjoy your pedaling between Veneto and Lombardia!!!
