The Reno Canal Cycle Route
Updated on 06 March 2020 From Bologna Welcome
The Reno Canal Cycle Route is a cycle route of approximately 5.5 km that links Via della Grada, in Bologna, with the centre of Casalecchio di Reno, along the Radiale Ovest.
This cycle route follows the course of the Reno Canal for several stretches, allowing you to explore a part of the city where landscape, industrial heritage, sport and nature coexist just a few kilometres from the historic centre.
Along the route, you’ll come across some of the most iconic landmarks of Bologna and Casalecchio di Reno: the Certosa Monumental Cemetery, the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium, the Giardino del Ghisello, the Casalecchio Lock and the Parco della Chiusa, also known as Parco Talon.
➝ View the map of the Reno Canal Cycle Route and the main stops along the route.
Discover the Reno Canal Cycle Route, a cycling itinerary from Bologna to Casalecchio:
The Certosa Monumental Cemetery in Bologna
One of the first stops on the itinerary is the Certosa Monumental Cemetery, founded in 1801 on the site of the ancient Carthusian monastery dating back to the 14th century.
Amidst cloisters, galleries, tombs and sculptures, visitors can journey through over two centuries of Bologna’s history. The Certosa is a veritable open-air museum, housing works of art and numerous artefacts that bear witness to the city’s history.
Information on the route
Distance from Via della Grada: approximately 2.2 km
Approximate cycling time: about 9 minutes
Admission to the Certosa: free; guided tours are also available
Renato Dall’Ara Stadium
Not far from the Certosa, with a short detour from the cycle route, you’ll come across another of Bologna’s landmarks: the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium.
Built during the Fascist era, it was named after Renato Dall’Ara, the long-serving president of Bologna FC, in 1983. Today, the stadium is home to the Rossoblù and also hosts concerts and other major events.
The route to the stadium passes alongside the UNESCO-listed Porticoes of the Certosa.
Route information
Distance from Certosa: approximately 950 m
Approximate cycling time: about 4 minutes
Access to the stadium: during matches, concerts and events
Ghisello Garden and the former Filanda site
Continuing towards Casalecchio, the Reno Canal Cycle Route passes through the Ghisello Garden area, where the urban landscape gradually gives way to more green space.
Along this stretch, you’ll also come across reminders of the area’s manufacturing and industrial history, including the site of the former Filanda, which highlights the relationship between Bologna, water and the manufacturing activities that have developed over the centuries.
In the Ghisello car park area, there is also a public stand for inflating tyres and carrying out minor bicycle repairs.
Information about the section
Distance from the Dall’Ara Stadium: approximately 1 km
Distance from the Certosa: approximately 1.9 km
Approximate cycling time from the stadium: about 4 minutes
Approximate cycling time from the Certosa: about 6 minutes
Entry to the Giardino del Ghisello: free
Casalecchio Lock
Continuing along the cycle route, you reach one of the key sites for understanding the history of the Reno Canal: the Casalecchio Lock.
This is where the canal begins and, with it, the hydraulic system that played a central role in Bologna’s industrial development.
The lock is considered one of the oldest hydraulic engineering structures in Europe still in operation.
Information on this section
Distance from the Giardino del Ghisello: approximately 2.9 km
Approximate cycling time: about 12 minutes
Access: free
Parco della Chiusa or Parco Talon
Adjacent to the Chiusa lies Parco della Chiusa, also known as Parco Talon, one of the main green spaces in Casalecchio di Reno.
The name by which the park is traditionally known derives from the Sampieri Talon family and the villa that once stood on the estate.
Although severely damaged during the Second World War, the villa still bears witness to the history of this place. It was not merely a holiday residence, but also an important cultural meeting place, frequented over the years by figures such as Gaetano Donizetti, Gioachino Rossini and Stendhal.
The park provides a pleasant end to the route, ideal for a stroll through the greenery and a well-deserved break after a cycle ride.
Route information
Distance from the Casalecchio Lock: approximately 450 m
Approximate cycling time: about 2 minutes
Admission: free
The history of the Reno Canal and the silk industry in Bologna
To understand the landscape traversed by the cycle route, one must start with the River Reno itself.
For centuries, its waters have been a vital resource for Bologna’s manufacturing sector, powering mills and machinery used, amongst other things, in silk production – one of the industries that has most profoundly shaped the city’s economic history.
The earliest records of engineering works along the course of the Reno date back to 1191, when a consortium of citizens known as the Ramisani undertook the construction of the first dam. This was a wooden palisade that channelled the river’s water towards the city via a canal.
A few years later, in 1208, the work was resumed and expanded by the City Council. The new route carried the water as far as Bologna and, via Via della Grada, essentially followed the course we still know today.
The Reno Canal thus became part of Bologna’s wider water system, connecting to the Navile system and enabling the operation of the hydraulic machinery in mills and factories.
This complex system contributed to Bologna’s development as a major European centre for textile production and, in particular, for silk.
Even today, along the route, it is possible to see traces of ancient structures and infrastructure that bear witness to the city’s industrial past.
➝ To find out more: see also Bologna of the Waters.
FAQs on the Reno Canal Cycle Route
- Are the Reno Cycle Route and the Reno Canal Cycle Route the same thing?
No. The Reno Canal Cycle Route described in this itinerary connects Bologna to Casalecchio di Reno along the Radiale Ovest, following the Reno Canal for several sections.
The Reno Cycle Route (ER19), on the other hand, is a wider cycle tourism route that runs along the River Reno. They are therefore two different routes. - How long is the Reno Canal Cycle Route?
The Reno Canal Cycle Route stretches for approximately 5.5 km along the Radiale Ovest and connects Via della Grada, in Bologna, with the centre of Casalecchio di Reno. - Where does the Reno Canal Cycle Route start?
The route described starts from Via della Grada in Bologna and continues towards Casalecchio di Reno along the Radiale Ovest. - What are the main places to visit along the Reno Canal Cycle Route?
Among the main stops along the route are the Certosa Monumental Cemetery, the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium, the Giardino del Ghisello, the former Filanda site, the Casalecchio Lock and the Parco della Chiusa (or Parco Talon).
The route thus allows you to combine a cycle ride between Bologna and Casalecchio with the discovery of places of historical, cultural and natural interest. - Are there bike stands for inflating tyres or carrying out minor repairs along the route?
Yes. In the Ghisello car park area, along the Reno Canal cycle path, there is one of the public stations installed by Bologna City Council for inflating tyres and carrying out minor bicycle repairs.
Before setting off, it is advisable to check the City of Bologna’s website for the actual availability and status of the service.
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