The Green Road dell'Acqua, a cycle path between the valleys and along the water of the Autonomous Province of Trento, and the Ciclovia dei Parchi, from the mountains to the sea of Calabria, climb together on the highest podium of the Italian Green Road Award 2021, the 'Italian Oscar of cycle tourism, which annually awards the best Italian cycle route.
The second prize (despite the ex aequo did not want to give up the place of honor) goes to the Emilia Romagna Region with the Ciclovia del Sole, the third to the Marche Region, with the GABA - Grande Anello del Borghi Ascolani, while the mention special of Legambiente was assigned to the Basilicata Region, with the cycle route From Matera to the Lucanian Dolomites.
Adding up the award-winning cycle paths, one touches the 1000 kilometers of tracks that range between paths, embankments and asphalted sections, with forays into urban cycle paths, between disused railways and dirt roads. As many as 16 regions and autonomous provinces have nominated up to two cycle routes this year, confirming a growing interest in cycle tourism.
The Green Road dell'Acqua is a 143-kilometer asphalted cycle / pedestrian path, which runs along rivers and lakes in southern Trentino, from Cadino di Faedo, on the border with the province of Bolzano, through 20 municipalities, up to Trento. It was built by converting 113 kilometers of river banks, railways and disused roads.
The Ciclovia dei Parchi della Calabria is a green road that alternates asphalt to beaten earth and crosses the entire regional Apennine ridge of 545 kilometers. It starts in Laino Borgo (CS) and ends in Reggio Calabria, crossing four parks, the Aspromonte, the Sila, the Pollino and the Serre, and 60 between cities, towns and villages. The cycle route was also built by converting old disused railways and its construction was completed just a year ago, in May 2020.
