An alternative route for the Fourth Stage of the Monk’s Trail is proposed for those who want to try a longer panoramic itinerary, to get to Ca' De Mazzi starting from Maiano.

The route crosses the Lambro, goes up the hill of San Colombano al Lambro, then down into the historic center and gets to Ca' de Mazzi on the left bank of the Lambro.

From Villa Ghisalberti Nocca (see stage 4) you continue on the right towards Graffignana. On foot or by bike you cross the iron bridge over the Lambro and from there go up to the center of the town, where the St. Peter and St. Paul Church is located.

From here you take Via Cavallotti and having crossed the provincial road (SP) 19, continue straight on Via Miradolo which, after a level part, starts to climb near Cascina Zerbi and it becomes Via dei Ronchi, which you take as far as the turning for San Colombano.

Here, there is a chapel at the crossroads with the local road  ‘Strada vicinale dei Chiavaroli’, in a beautiful wooded area of the San Colombano hill with vineyards, which is in a protected Plis (multi communal place of interest).

You continue for about 3 km along hedgerows, passing by a few agricultural holdings, arriving at the municipality of San Colombano al Lambro.

A little further on, in Via Madonna dei Monti, you continue on the cycle path for a few kms, passing splendid vineyards and small agricultural holdings, such as the area with the former church of Madonna dei Monti, now converted into a home.

You get to the historic center of Sant’Angelo Lodigiano by taking a road going downhill along the side of the park of Castello Belgioioso, which rises on the hill as if to defend the village and the surrounding countryside.

Built during the Longobard period, the center was destroyed and then rebuilt by Barbarossa; it was extended by the Viscounts and had works done by the Carthusians , who were owners until 1782, and then it became the residence of the Belgioioso family.
Today the historic center is used by the municipality and the parish authorities. A little further on the church of San Giovanni has the original gothic Lombard characteristics; inside it has baroque decorations , and recent restorations has brought late Romanesque features to light. 

From the center you cross the bridge over the Lambro and you continue to the municipality of Borghetto Lodigiano from which, on a mixed traffic road that follows the canal, you reach Ca' de Mazzi, joining the main route again.

ALTERNATIVE STAGE 4 OF THE MONK’S TRAIL (CAMMINO DEI MONACI)

Technical Information

• Starting point: Maiano, near Sant'Angelo Lodigiano
• Arrival: Ca' de Mazzi, near San Colombano al Lambro
• Length 20,4 KM
• Difficulty: Easy  
• Means of transport: on foot, by bicycle, by car

Route Map
From Maiano, Sant'Angelo Lodigiano (LO) to Ca' de Mazzi, San Colombano al Lambro (MI)- 20,4 KM