Ciclovia AIDA, short for Alta Italia da Attraversare, connects the Mont Cenis border area with Trieste through northern Italy. Created by FIAB and included in its Bicitalia network as BI20, it brings existing and developing cycling itineraries together into one journey across the Po plain.
From the Alps to Milan
The western end begins around Mont Cenis on the French–Italian border and descends into the Susa valley, where the project highlights Roman remains and Benedictine abbeys. Torino provides the first major city stop before the route continues towards the rice-growing country around Vercelli and Novara.
The Novara tourism agency describes the approach through Vinzaglio, Casalino and Granozzo, followed by Novara and Galliate, with a stretch beside the Canale Cavour. Beyond the Ticino, AIDA’s guide identifies Turbigo as a meeting point of the Naviglio Grande and Canale Villoresi; the latter helps lead riders towards Milan.
Canals, vineyards and Veneto
Leaving Milan, the itinerary uses the Naviglio Martesana corridor towards the Adda. It crosses the Oglio and continues through the vineyards of Franciacorta to Brescia, then approaches Lake Garda and the Mincio before reaching Verona.
East of Verona, the route passes the vineyards around Soave and continues through Vicenza towards Padova. AIDA’s guide then follows canals towards the Brenta and Villa Pisani at Stra, reaches Mestre and continues towards Treviso along the Sile. These city stops make it possible to choose a shorter section around the places that interest you.
Across Friuli to the sea
From Treviso, AIDA passes Oderzo and Portobuffolé before following the Livenza towards Pordenone. The next part crosses the Tagliamento and approaches Udine via the Codroipo area, where Villa Manin is a possible cultural stop.
The final section heads through Gradisca and past the Redipuglia memorial. The sea appears near Monfalcone, and the project’s route description brings riders into Trieste along the coast, ending at Molo Audace.
Choosing a bike and planning
AIDA combines cycle routes with roads shared with motor traffic, and includes unpaved stretches. The project recommends a touring bicycle suited to varied terrain, a gravel bike or a mountain bike, and advises against a road racing bike. Some narrow paths and barriers can make travel with trailers or unusually sized cycles difficult.
The project suggests early May to mid-July and late August to late October as favourable periods, while warning that exposed parts of the Vercelli and Novara countryside can be very hot and have few drinking fountains. It also notes the winter closure of the Mont Cenis pass, generally from November to May. Check conditions before travel: the project cautions that routes can change and navigation information may contain errors.
The official Ciclovia AIDA app presents ten suggested sections, attractions and accommodation partners, with offline maps and a way to report errors. Bicitalia notes that its network descriptions and routes are being updated, so consult the project’s current information when preparing each section.