‘Flat is flat’ is the saying by Marco Belpoliti in his beautiful book, Pianura, about the Po Valley, its curiosities and the people who live there. The plain isn’t for everyone – it doesn’t have mountain climbs and you won’t get to rest your legs on a descent. Instead, you’ll discover endless pedalling through peaceful and remote areas.

The Ciclovia Destra Po is a solitary adventure. It’s flat, with not even 200 metres (650 ft) of elevation gain over 110 kilometres (68 mi). You’ll rarely exceed 10 metres (32 feet) above sea level and it’s occasionally shrouded in fog. Yet, the area is charming: huge distances without any human-produced sounds, other than the whirr of your wheels; the quiet pace of water; and rural villages on the banks of the great river.

In this Collection, you’ll ride 112 kilometres (69 mi) along the final stretch of the Po along its banks. The route leads through the province of Ferrara and crosses only five municipalities: Bondeno, Ferrara, Riva del Po, Mesola and Goro. With the Po always beside you, you’ll ride from west to east to reach its enormous delta, near Gorino.

The start is Bondeno station on the Suzzara-Ferrara line, and the small hamlet on the Po delta is your final stop. You can take a bus back to Ferrara from there (tper.it/sites tper.it/files/ORARI/1693903641/tper_fe335.pdf) or cycle towards Codigoro, the terminus of the route that takes you to Ferrara.

This trip is great in any season except the hottest months. July and August are sweltering and the number of mosquitoes multiply. In October or April, autumn colours and spring light enhance these areas. The low daily mileage makes the Collection particularly suitable for families, large groups or people who have just started cycling.

In terms of your bike, any steed that’s adaptable to different terrain is best, such as a touring bike, gravel bike or MTB. The Destra Po Ciclovia is mostly asphalted, but you’ll encounter short stretches of gentle gravel and singletrack. One final precaution to take: book your overnight accommodation in advance. The Po Valley villages are small and there aren’t a huge number of guest houses, hostels, B&Bs or hotels. Alternatively, you can wild camp along the riverbank.

I wish you a wonderful journey along the Po!