Sile River Natural Park

The Parco Naturale Regionale del Fiume Sile follows one of the longest spring-fed rivers in Europe from its resurgence springs west of Treviso down toward the lagoon. The Restera, the old towpath, runs beside it for most of that distance: flat, shaded and one of the best walking and cycling routes in the Veneto.

The Sile's value rests on the stability of its springs, and that is exactly what is vulnerable: groundwater extraction and agricultural runoff in the surrounding plain affect both flow and quality.

The park asks people to stay on the Restera and marked paths rather than on the banks, which erode easily and are where nesting birds are.

Cycling or walking out from Treviso rather than driving to a trailhead is both easy and the point -- the route starts at the edge of the city.

Free and open, with no gates and no ticket. The Restera can be joined directly from Treviso at several points on the southern edge of the centre, which makes it unusually easy to reach -- no transport needed.

Bike hire in the city is cheap, and the towpath is flat enough that distance is not the limiting factor. Visitor centres operate near the springs.