A ring-road itinerary in the Bergamo plain, a cycle-hiking route where you can admire some of the most significant Viscontea castles and fortresses in the area. Where you will also have the opportunity to ride inside the oases protected by two active springs.
The route does not include high-traffic roads, instead you will cycle along paved roads and unpaved country roads, where you will only have cultivated fields, farmhouses, small churches, votive shrines, greenhouses and ditches. And obviously absolute peace.
It is advisable to do this itinerary on bicycles with “fat wheels” as you ride on long dirt roads.
The plain’s vast spaces, the greenery and the far stretching views that draw the eyes to the horizon, are a real relaxation for the mind. The remote and uninhabited areas offer a peace that you can enjoy during the ride. Where the silence is interrupted only by the hum of the bicycle wheels.
In the summer, with a bit of luck, you can admire various local birds including grey herons, warblers, honey buzzards and many others.
Route Information:
Departure point: Romano di Lombardia, train station
Arrival point: Romano di Lombardia, train station
Travel time: 4 hours
Length: 44km
Ground: asphalt: 60%, dirt: 40%,
Total change in altitude: 150m
Minimum altitude: 116m
Maximum altitude: 157m
Practicability: All year
Suitable for: Adults with a bit of training and lovers of cycle-hiking tourism, bicycles suitable for unpaved roads.
A ring-road itinerary in the Bergamo plain, a cycle-hiking route where you can admire some of the most significant Viscontea castles and fortresses in the area. Where you will also have the opportunity to ride inside the oases protected by two active springs.
The route does not include high-traffic roads, instead you will cycle along paved roads and unpaved country roads, where you will only have cultivated fields, farmhouses, small churches, votive shrines, greenhouses and ditches. And obviously absolute peace.
It is advisable to do this itinerary on bicycles with “fat wheels” as you ride on long dirt roads.
The plain’s vast spaces, the greenery and the far stretching views that draw the eyes to the horizon, are a real relaxation for the mind. The remote and uninhabited areas offer a peace that you can enjoy during the ride. Where the silence is interrupted only by the hum of the bicycle wheels.
In the summer, with a bit of luck, you can admire various local birds including grey herons, warblers, honey buzzards and many others.
Route Information:
Departure point: Romano di Lombardia, train station
Arrival point: Romano di Lombardia, train station
Travel time: 4 hours
Length: 44km
Ground: asphalt: 60%, dirt: 40%,
Total change in altitude: 150m
Minimum altitude: 116m
Maximum altitude: 157m
Practicability: All year
Suitable for: Adults with a bit of training and lovers of cycle-hiking tourism, bicycles suitable for unpaved roads.
The itinerary’s starting point is the Romano di Lombardia train station (pic1) Head towards the nearby town centre but, before entering the historic centre, take a short tour around the town walls (pic2) (pic3) and then take the central and lively via del paese (pic4) (pic5) where you will also notice the Parish of Santa Maria Assunta. At the end of the street, turn left (pic6) to reach the Viscontea Fortress (pic7) and then take the road to the right towards Bariano (pic8) (pic9) (via Balilla).
At the roundabout go left (pic10) along the cycle path that runs parallel to the tangenziale ovest road between the fields and houses. Just before the second roundabout take the underpass (pic11) (pic12) that takes you on a country lane (pic13) (pic14). Pass by the church of San Giuseppe (pic15) and then continue along a well-maintained sheep track (pic16) (pic17) which takes you to the Serio river avoiding the busy SP101.
When you reach the Serio river cycle path go right (pic18) and before the underpass go right again (pic19) to enter the provincial road for a short distance, necessary to cross the river (pic20).
Just beyond the bridge cross the road to take you on the shaded cycle path (pic21) (pic22) which leads to the first houses in Bariano where you will still ride on the road.
Once at the stop sign cross the road and go to the right taking another stretch of cycle path (pic23). When you get to the railway tracks go left (pic24) and cross the tracks using the underpass (pic25). Go straight and then left (pic26) along the shared pedestrian/cycle path that leads you quickly to the village of Morengo (pic27).
At the roundabout, you can leave the main road, going to the right (pic28) and then left (pic29) along via Papa Giovanni XXIII. You will find yourself in a quiet residential area, after 500 metres go left (pic30), cross the road (pic31) and continue on the new stretch of cycle path that runs parallel to the SP159 (pic32). Return to the road (pic33), pass a roundabout and then turn right onto a pleasant dirt road in the middle of the fields (pic34).
After 500 metres go left (pic35) on a country road and reach the Pagazzano sports area. At the stop sign go right (pic36) and then left on the other side of the canal (pic37) (pic38). Just before the mill enter the centre of the village on the right (pic39) on a section of cycle-pedestrian path that takes you to the Visconteo castle of Pagazzano (pic40).
The itinerary’s starting point is the Romano di Lombardia train station (pic1) Head towards the nearby town centre but, before entering the historic centre, take a short tour around the town walls (pic2) (pic3) and then take the central and lively via del paese (pic4) (pic5) where you will also notice the Parish of Santa Maria Assunta. At the end of the street, turn left (pic6) to reach the Viscontea Fortress (pic7) and then take the road to the right towards Bariano (pic8) (pic9) (via Balilla).
At the roundabout go left (pic10) along the cycle path that runs parallel to the tangenziale ovest road between the fields and houses. Just before the second roundabout take the underpass (pic11) (pic12) that takes you on a country lane (pic13) (pic14). Pass by the church of San Giuseppe (pic15) and then continue along a well-maintained sheep track (pic16) (pic17) which takes you to the Serio river avoiding the busy SP101.
When you reach the Serio river cycle path go right (pic18) and before the underpass go right again (pic19) to enter the provincial road for a short distance, necessary to cross the river (pic20).
Just beyond the bridge cross the road to take you on the shaded cycle path (pic21) (pic22) which leads to the first houses in Bariano where you will still ride on the road.
Once at the stop sign cross the road and go to the right taking another stretch of cycle path (pic23). When you get to the railway tracks go left (pic24) and cross the tracks using the underpass (pic25). Go straight and then left (pic26) along the shared pedestrian/cycle path that leads you quickly to the village of Morengo (pic27).
At the roundabout, you can leave the main road, going to the right (pic28) and then left (pic29) along via Papa Giovanni XXIII. You will find yourself in a quiet residential area, after 500 metres go left (pic30), cross the road (pic31) and continue on the new stretch of cycle path that runs parallel to the SP159 (pic32). Return to the road (pic33), pass a roundabout and then turn right onto a pleasant dirt road in the middle of the fields (pic34).
After 500 metres go left (pic35) on a country road and reach the Pagazzano sports area. At the stop sign go right (pic36) and then left on the other side of the canal (pic37) (pic38). Just before the mill enter the centre of the village on the right (pic39) on a section of cycle-pedestrian path that takes you to the Visconteo castle of Pagazzano (pic40).
Romano Castle has got a moat (though dried now), a lift bridge, a square plan, high walls and corner towers.
It was probably built almost nine hundred years ago, but was gradually modified over the time, up to the XVIII Century. The current structure allow us to spot the different styles and owners of the castle, for instance, the battlements are mixed, both dovetailed (a Ghibelline feature) and squared, typical of the Guelph’s castles: this means that the castle was disputed between the warring parties.
Its walls show the classic Po Valley tradition, with the typical red bricks we can admire in almost every fortress of that time all over our territory.
We also recommend you to visit the refined internal courtyard, decorated with the Venice Republic symbols.
Can a stronghold be able to inspire the creativity of an outstanding poet?
Yes, it can! The famous Italian poet Francesco Petrarca spent some time here and worked on its Triumphi right in these rooms.
Culture has never left the castle, thanks to the amazing museum located inside it: the fortress used to protect the people, now it protects their memory!
You will also find a very interesting exhibition describing the rural life featuring the surrounding countryside for centuries, while with the multimedia part of the museum you’ll have the chance to explore the history of the fortification system between the Venice Republic and Milan’s territories.
Even today, these defensive buildings draw the visitors’ attention and are considered as much peculiar and typical of the Bergamo flatland as the cornfields or the long tree-lined roads.
From Piazza Castello continue straight along the pedestrian/cycle path that goes around the fortified walls passing through a park (pic41) (pic42). From this point, you can see a very enchanting foreshortening: the walls of the castle reflected on the waters of the moat.
Exit the park, go left (pic43) and then right (pic44) to take a small road in the straight fields (pic45) (pic46) to the overpass where you turn right (pic47). Ride parallel to the railway until you reach the gate of the Brancaleone spring (pic48).
Passing through the gate, you will ride inside the naturalistic area; you will cross bridges over the spring and exit to the north to continue the itinerary towards Brignano.
At the farmhouse turn onto the bridge on the right (pic49). Once at the intersection go left (pic50) and ride again on the SP129 for about 1km until almost at the village of Vidalengo where you go right on the dirt road via Caravaggio (pic51). At the intersection go to the right (pic52) and at the edge of the farmhouse go left (pic53) where shortly after you arrive at the first houses of Brignano.
Continue straight ahead and you will arrive in front of the palazzo Visconti, a beautiful noble residence in Baroque style. If you wish, you can visit the part of the building used as municipal offices and therefore open to the public.
From Piazza Castello continue straight along the pedestrian/cycle path that goes around the fortified walls passing through a park (pic41) (pic42). From this point, you can see a very enchanting foreshortening: the walls of the castle reflected on the waters of the moat.
Exit the park, go left (pic43) and then right (pic44) to take a small road in the straight fields (pic45) (pic46) to the overpass where you turn right (pic47). Ride parallel to the railway until you reach the gate of the Brancaleone spring (pic48).
Passing through the gate, you will ride inside the naturalistic area; you will cross bridges over the spring and exit to the north to continue the itinerary towards Brignano.
At the farmhouse turn onto the bridge on the right (pic49). Once at the intersection go left (pic50) and ride again on the SP129 for about 1km until almost at the village of Vidalengo where you go right on the dirt road via Caravaggio (pic51). At the intersection go to the right (pic52) and at the edge of the farmhouse go left (pic53) where shortly after you arrive at the first houses of Brignano.
Continue straight ahead and you will arrive in front of the palazzo Visconti, a beautiful noble residence in Baroque style. If you wish, you can visit the part of the building used as municipal offices and therefore open to the public.
Palazzo Vecchio is a building from the end of the sixteenth century, created on pre-existing fortified walls. Recently restored, the ground floor hosts the municipal offices.
The “noble” floor offers numerous frescoed rooms, making it one of the most successful Baroque works in Lombardy.
The delegatory area includes frescoes dedicated to dynastic splendour, in particular the so-called Throne Room, from 1675, where the most illustrious exhibits of the Visconti family stand out in the form of monochrome painted statues.
Go around the building’s perimeter in a clockwise direction (pic54), skirting the drawbridge and the canal (pic55) until you reach a small square with a roundabout where you take the second exit onto via Campino (pic56). At the stop sign turn left (pic57) on via Spirano which leads to the exit from the town of Brignano. Cross the SP129 road (pic58) and continue on this road through the fields until you reach Spirano.
Keeping to the main road on the cycle/pedestrian path (pic59) enter the centre of Spirano on via Gramsci (pic60), turn right and you will arrive in the central square. Cross it and continue on via Saronni and via Misericordia (pic61) (pic62) passing alongside what remains of the historic Spirano Fortress.
Go around the building’s perimeter in a clockwise direction (pic54), skirting the drawbridge and the canal (pic55) until you reach a small square with a roundabout where you take the second exit onto via Campino (pic56). At the stop sign turn left (pic57) on via Spirano which leads to the exit from the town of Brignano. Cross the SP129 road (pic58) and continue on this road through the fields until you reach Spirano.
Keeping to the main road on the cycle/pedestrian path (pic59) enter the centre of Spirano on via Gramsci (pic60), turn right and you will arrive in the central square. Cross it and continue on via Saronni and via Misericordia (pic61) (pic62) passing alongside what remains of the historic Spirano Fortress.
Continue along via Misericordia and then via Fiume until the stop sign (pic63). Continue straight (pic64), at the crossroads keep right and then turn right onto via Alcide de Gasperi (pic65). At the end of the street, turn left (pic66) and at the intersection take the second on the right (Via Oplida) (pic67).
The road soon gives way to the dirt road. Pass next to a farmhouse (pic68) (pic69) and at the junction continue straight towards the Conzacollo Springs (pic70) (pic71). Inside the park you will ride on a path that runs along the entire spring area and over several stone bridges.
After visiting the springs, go back to the previous junction and turn left (pic72) until you reach the paved road. Continue to the left (pic73), then straight (pic74) up to a farmhouse where they breed Italian Frisona cows.
Go to the right (pic75) and go around the farmhouse, at the crossroads keep left (pic76) and reach the SP128 where you go left (pic77). Shortly you will reach the fourth and last castle of the itinerary, the fortress of Castel Liteggio.
Continue along via Misericordia and then via Fiume until the stop sign (pic63). Continue straight (pic64), at the crossroads keep right and then turn right onto via Alcide de Gasperi (pic65). At the end of the street, turn left (pic66) and at the intersection take the second on the right (Via Oplida) (pic67).
The road soon gives way to the dirt road. Pass next to a farmhouse (pic68) (pic69) and at the junction continue straight towards the Conzacollo Springs (pic70) (pic71). Inside the park you will ride on a path that runs along the entire spring area and over several stone bridges.
After visiting the springs, go back to the previous junction and turn left (pic72) until you reach the paved road. Continue to the left (pic73), then straight (pic74) up to a farmhouse where they breed Italian Frisona cows.
Go to the right (pic75) and go around the farmhouse, at the crossroads keep left (pic76) and reach the SP128 where you go left (pic77). Shortly you will reach the fourth and last castle of the itinerary, the fortress of Castel Liteggio.
Leave the provincial road riding on Via Riserva (pic78). You will again find yourself pedaling in the tranquility of the countryside in the middle of expanses of greenhouses on a large dirt road (pic79) (pic80) (pic81). At the end of the greenhouses the road turns left, but you take the stretch of cycle path on the right (pic82) that leads you to a roundabout. Take the first exit towards Morengo (pic83).
Ride on the road for 1km and, upon reaching the town of Morengo, turn left near the church (pic84). Continue straight (pic85) and head towards the cemetery (pic86) (pic87) (pic88), where you will take the dirt road to the right (pic89).
After 200 metres turn right (pic90) and take the Bariano cycle path and nature trail. Past the wooded area at the junction go left (pic91), go through the underpass and go left again (pic92). You will find yourself back on the Serio bridge that you crossed a few hours before (pic93). Go down to the right, under the bridges still keep to the right (pic94) (pic95), and shortly after turn right again (pic96). Follow the long road in the industrial area (pic97) to the roundabout that you will cross using the underpass (pic98) until you reach the roundabout on via Balilla. Here, go left (pic99), returning to the starting point of the itinerary: Romano di Lombardia.
Leave the provincial road riding on Via Riserva (pic78). You will again find yourself pedaling in the tranquility of the countryside in the middle of expanses of greenhouses on a large dirt road (pic79) (pic80) (pic81). At the end of the greenhouses the road turns left, but you take the stretch of cycle path on the right (pic82) that leads you to a roundabout. Take the first exit towards Morengo (pic83).
Ride on the road for 1km and, upon reaching the town of Morengo, turn left near the church (pic84). Continue straight (pic85) and head towards the cemetery (pic86) (pic87) (pic88), where you will take the dirt road to the right (pic89).
After 200 metres turn right (pic90) and take the Bariano cycle path and nature trail. Past the wooded area at the junction go left (pic91), go through the underpass and go left again (pic92). You will find yourself back on the Serio bridge that you crossed a few hours before (pic93). Go down to the right, under the bridges still keep to the right (pic94) (pic95), and shortly after turn right again (pic96). Follow the long road in the industrial area (pic97) to the roundabout that you will cross using the underpass (pic98) until you reach the roundabout on via Balilla. Here, go left (pic99), returning to the starting point of the itinerary: Romano di Lombardia.
