VARIANT BETWEEN POLESELLA AND FERRARA

The variant was necessary because the bridge that crosses the Po at Polesella is difficult to reach due to the long access ramps and above all there is a ban on pedestrians and cyclists from crossing it, even behind the guardrail. The “historic” route remains that of the right bank of the Po (Emilia-Romagna; Municipalities of Ro, Francolino-Ferrara), but it is not safe, at least until the authorities make the bridge at Polesella passable in safety. On the left bank (Veneto; municipalities of Polesella, Canaro, Occhiobello) there is a very nice pedestrian and cycle path, with some rest areas and reaches as far as the bridge over the Po in Santa Maria Maddalena, after passing under the railway bridge. The bridge is made of iron, it is level with no access ramps; on both sides there are passages (pedestrian and cycle path) of sufficient width to allow bicycles and pedestrians to pass. Then you enter the town of Pontelagoscuro, on roads with sidewalks, little traffic and considerable stretches of cycle path proper. Thus we reach the walls of Ferrara and re-encounter the “historical” route in via Azzo Novello. The signs of the route that goes from Rome to Stade have also been placed.  The “historical” route is 22.2 km long (from the Polesella bridge to the center of Ferrara); the “variant” route is 24.2 km. There are no gradients.