Taking weekend trips is the best way to welcome autumn. Beautiful sunny days invite you to be outdoors and in good company. So, if you're wondering where to go next weekend, our suggestion for you is a hike in the Valley of the Monks.
This is a place of great natural, architectural, and historical beauty. In fact, it is a 65 km route starting from the center of Milan and reaching theAbbey of Chiaravalle. The landscape is very varied, including wooded areas and farmland, with rivers, streams, fields, and meadows.
The history of this valley is particularly fascinating. In the 12th century, a group of monks decided to settle here and founded the Abbey of Chiaravalle, at the behest of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. The monks were known for their agricultural knowledge and helped make the valley one of the most prosperous in Lombardy, reclaiming the then marshy areas and enabling the birth of new and lively urban centers.
The Valley of the Monks is both an agricultural and urban area, an ideal place to spend a day or a weekend in nature. There are many activities you can enjoy in the Valley such as hiking, cycling, horseback ridingand picnicking.
Monastic architecture, medieval frescoes, and historical artifacts stand alongside sustainable technologies. Every year there are shows, cultural activities, and workshops with rich and interesting offerings even for the little ones.
There are also numerous restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy a good meal or a snack. In short, an experience not to be missed… word of Meeters!
Valley of the Monks
The Monks’ Path is a hiking trail that runs through the eponymous Valley, from the center of Milan to the Via Francigena, passing by the Po River.
It crosses four protected areas: the South Milan Agricultural Park, the Vettabbia Park, the WWF Montorfano Oasis in the municipality of Melegnano, and the San Colombano Park.
The hike in the Valley of the Monks follows a route divided into four main sections:
- Milan – Nosedo, within the urban context
- Nosedo – Chiaravalle, passing through Vettabbia Park
- Chiaravalle – Viboldone, land of the Monks
- Viboldone – Melegnano, crossing farms and villages
First Section: Milan – Nosedo
The route starts from the church, founded in 1132 by the Cistercian monks. The complex includes a church, a cloister, and a museum and is surrounded by a park with ancient ruins. This place is today We hope you enjoyed this itinerary and that it helps you plan your next day trip with friends and family!