AN21 – Donzella Island Loop [Po Delta]

Isola della Donzella, in the province of Rovigo (Veneto), is part of the Veneto Regional Park of the Po Delta. The landscape is marked by country roads and still-wild beaches, where the sea breeze and the silence of uncultivated countryside accompany cyclists along the embankments. According to legend, the name "donzella" (maiden) comes from the marital status of the daughter of a Venetian nobleman, who drowned in that branch of the Po.

Among the most evocative spots is the Sacca degli Scardovari, where the fresh waters of the river meet the salt waters of the sea, creating a scene of great charm. The peculiar hydrogeological characteristics of the sacca make it particularly suited to shellfish farming: clams, mussels and oysters are the area's main economic resource.

The proposed itinerary is a flat loop, developed mainly along the Po embankments (cyclable especially in summer) and on quiet rural secondary roads with almost no traffic. Along the route you can also stop at Barricata beach, ideal for a refreshing swim.

⚠️ Critical points: Tolle – Scardovari (sections on a provincial road that can be busier in summer due to tourist traffic), Donzella – Gnocca (provincial road, less busy than the previous one).