This long and interesting route explores the territory extending between the Porte del Cavallino and the area of Punta Sabbioni. The landscape mainly consists of market gardens and greenhouses, gardens and a scattering of houses, as well as of a few old military buildings (1. Forte Vecchio, 2. Amalfi; 3. Pisani; 6. San Marco; 8. Radaelli), which, from the first half of the 19th century, were the defence works of the great sandy peninsula of Cavallino.
Their massive bulk is visible along the whole length of Via Pordelio, as are their
numerous towers,and in the area of Lio Grando too, where we find the austere Forte Vecchio (Old Fort). Erected by the Austrians in the years 1845-1851 to defend one of the entranceways to Venice, and modified in the course of the First World War, the Old Fort is the most well preserved fortification.
With a perfect blend of the natural habitat and human settlement, these austere constructions are often set in a vast panorama depicting market gardens and blooming flowerbeds; and in burgeoning countryside - as in the case of the vast salt marshes of the San Felice Canal - with the typical bird life: the curlew, the redshank, the snipe and wild duck inhabiting the Lagoon of Saccagnana.
Means of transport: by bicycle.
Route: Cavallino - Via Pordelio - Ca' Savio - Forte Vecchio (Old Fort) - Punta Sabbioni - Lungomare Dante Alighieri - Ca' Savio - the coastal batteries - Ca' Ballarin - Cavallino.
Distance: about 26. 8 km.
Estimated time: about 3 hours .
Viability: the trip is entirely along asphalted roads.
Points of support: many at various places throughout the journey.
Suggested period: April, May, June, September and October.
Clothing: appropriate for cycling in the season. The area is generally windy, especially in the intermediate seasons.
