The "Naviglio pavese" is a water canal joining Milan to Pavia. The length is more or less 35km, an ideal path for a day trip from one city to the other. Best time for this cycle tour is spring and autumn. Remenber that the canal is periodically dry for maintenance, if you want to avoid dry periods please check http://www.naviglilive.it/Asciutte_Navigli_Milano.html.
Let's start from the old harbor of Milan, the "Darsena", direction. Pavia. First section of the route is inside the city. You can notice some hydraulic structures and a few old bridges, signs of the past Milan history. Once you leave the city center you'll find the first rows of trees, but cars are still allowed on this section of the route. Cars wil not be allowed anymore from Rozzano on. We have been many times on this route, these are the best pictures we have taken:
ducks and ducklings: A gray heron on the canal edge, a real special event
White herons in the fields
Blooming fields
Some sections of the route are on dirt roads. After 25km we reache the Certosa di Pavia, just follow indications and turn left to enter the tree-lined street leading to the Certosa. It is possible to visit the structure, but remenber to check opening hours if you want be sure to visit the church, the monks rooms and the nice blooming gardens.

We are now approaching Pavia. You can follow all the Naviglio to the Ticino river or you can decide to enter the city from the northern side as we did in this track. Lunch hint in Pavia: we really appreciate "Peo" and also "La Korte dei sapori persi".

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