Parma, famous heart of Emilian Food ValleyThe next Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 April 2024, it will transform into a paradise for lovers of cycling and good food. The weekend will be dedicated to two days of celebration with the participation of professional and amateur cyclists coming from every corner of Italy, all sharing the desire to explore the natural and gastronomic beauties of this splendid region and the passion for cycle tourism.
L’Étape Parma by Tour de France
Parma by bicycle. Photo Tourism Municipality of Parma
The focus of the event will be L’Étape Parma by Tour de France, a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes and authentic flavors of the Parma area. The program offers courses suitable for all levels of ability and interest. The April 27, for example, participants will be able to choose between one pleasant 25 km cycle tourideal for families and children, or an exciting itinerary of 60 km along the Food Valley Bike. This last route crosses the picturesque Lower Parma area, connecting Parma to Busseto along the banks of the Great River and offering gastronomic stops along the way.
The next day, on April 28th, it will be the turn of two routes competitive: the 74 km gourmet granfondo and the 140 km competitive race. These challenging routes will take cyclists through rolling, panoramic landscapes, passing iconic locations such as Rivalta, Passo del Crocione, Schia Monte Caio, the Pineta di Cozzano and Barbiano. An opportunity to experience the many and varied cycling itineraries, which make Parma and its territory an ideal network for bicycle lovers, who from the city of art enter the atmospheres of plains of the Po riverto go back towards the hills studded with villages and of castlesuntil you touch the tops of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines Park and enjoy the delicious stops along the way refreshments that will cross paths, enriching the experience with i authentic flavors of the region. From Fidenza to Parma, cyclists will be able to discover the places where the typical products most famous from Parmigiano Reggiano, Culatello, pasta, tomato, wine and even salami.
Food Valley Bike
Parma by bike. Photo Tourism Municipality of Parma
The Étape Parma by Tour de France, in fact, is not just a question of cycling. It’s also an opportunity to explore the Food Valley through cycling. “Food Valley Bike”, offers a fascinating 80 km route which passes through the emblematic places of the Parma gastronomy. From Parma to Busseto, riding your bike you can visit the Parma Morta Natural Oasis, taste the Spalla Cruda by Palasone in Sissa Trecasali and enjoy the delicious dish Culatello di Zibello in Zibello. Furthermore, for those who wish to delve deeper into the food and wine culture of the places, routes are available that connect the 8 Food Museums. The first, departing from the Fidenza train station, allows you to reach the Parmigiano Reggiano Museum in Soragna and the Culatello Museum in Polesine Parmense. To visit the Pasta Museum and the Tomato Museum we start from the Parma train station, to cycle along the Taro valley. The Wine Museum it is kept in the cellars of the Rocca Sanvitale in Sala Baganza and can be visited after crossing the Boschi di Carrega Regional Park, the historic hunting estate of the Farnese Dukes. The destination of another beautiful bike route is the Felino Salami Museum. The itinerary starts from Parma and passes through the Torrechiara Castle, up to Langhirano Ham Museum. The Alta Val Taro ring leads to Porcini Mushroom Museum departing from Borgotaro.
The path of Art: Pedalart
Parma by bike. Photo Tourism Municipality of Parma
And the adventures don’t end. Parma offers a myriad of other cycling opportunities, including Art Path which leads to the discovery of artistic wonders and starts from one of these: the Badia di Santa Maria della Neve in Torrechiara with its baroque frescoes, the refectory, the belvedere and the cloister. You cycle along the San Michele Canal to the village and the romantic Torrechiara Castle, scene of the love story between Pier Maria Rossi and Bianca Pellegrini, and then reach Langhirano.
Art and sustainable mobility are the key words of 19 routes cycling tourism Pedalart, which cover 1,200 km in the territory of Parma and Emilia. Slow thematic itineraries, different and captivating, to cycle through the arts, history, castles, parish churches, spas, museums and Emilian flavours. Among these, the Greenway of the Parma Ducal Residences, which connects the places where the residences of Duchess Maria Luigia are visible; The tour among the Castles of Torrechiara, Felino and Sala Baganza; the path that leads to knowing the Liberty “Flowers of iron and concrete” in Parma and the surprising art collection gathered in the villa Magnani Rocca in Mamiano.
A recommended bike itinerary is the one through i Lower Castles: 75 km between the Rocca di San Secondo, home of Pier Maria Rossi’s wife, Fontanellato with the beautiful Rocca Sanvitale, Soragna with the Rocca Meli Lupi.
Among the panoramas of the Parma Apennines
Parma by bike. Photo Tourism Municipality of Parma
L’Étape Parma by Tour de France in its more competitive route, will touch panoramic places of the Parma Apennines. Opportunity to discover the cycling itinerary 100 Lakes Bikeideal for mountain bikes and e-bikes, which passes through the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines National Park and the Cento Laghi Regional Park.
Other paths can be covered by bike to do the Great MTB Tour, itinerary composed of main sections and rings that connect different municipalities of the Parma Apennines, with the freedom to choose starting points and stops, between Calestano, Corniglio, Langhirano, Lesignano de’ Bagni, Monchio delle Corti, Neviano degli Arduini, Palanzano and Tizzano Val Parma.
The cycle paths along the Po
Cycling along the Po it is a surprising experience in the Parma area, among the places that inspired the stories of Don Camillo And Peppone by Giovannino Guareschi. The route begins in Busseto, in whose hamlet Roncole is located the house of Guareschi and that of the great musician Giuseppe Verdi. We continue towards Soragna and then Fontanelle, with the Boscaccio Center in Diolo, then Colorno and then Brescello, the heart of the events of the novels of Don Camillo and Peppone, with museums and many curiosities.
Inside the Parks of the Duchy, Cycling itineraries with one or half day stages are also designed for inexperienced cycling enthusiasts. The cycle paths of the Ducato ParksIn fact, they are simple to navigate, thanks to the online technical data sheets and maps with GPS directions. There Stirone cycle path, in the Stirone and Piacenzano Regional Park, it winds for 42 km following the stream of the same name among varied landscapes and the river environment of the Stirone, with cultural stops in Fidenza and Salsomaggiore Terme. There Taro cycle path, in the Taro Regional River Park, it extends from Collecchio to Corte di Giarola, to reach the monastic center of Oppiano, a stopping point for pilgrims who moved on foot along the Via Francigena. From here you can continue towards Gaiano and connect to the Boschi di Carrega cycle path or go in the direction of Fornovo, towards the Guatelli Museum in the hamlet of Ozzano Taro. A few km from Parma, here is the Boschi di Carrega Regional Parkcrossed byhomonymous cycle path, which allows you to admire architectural excellences such as the Villa Casino dei Boschi.
The other bike events in Parma
Parma by bike. Photo Tourism Municipality of Parma
If L’Étape Parma by Tour de France is a unique event in Italy, the events dedicated to biking in Parma: the Dustya vintage pedaling cycle that takes place on 22 and 23 June 2024 in Monticelli Termeand then the Gravel Gourmet, between the hills and valleys of Parma, on May 11th and 12th, and very tasty Greedy, the ride assisted by good food, which will be held on June 1, 2024 on the Food Valley Bike route. Events that make this an ideal time to discover the region on a bike and experience a different journey grinding out kilometers between pedaling, breathtaking views, art and authentic flavours.
Info: www.parmawelcome.it
