This is a bike route from Padova [Padua] to Monselice, in part on a true bike path, in part on local roads with little traffic; here I present two alternatives: A) following directly along the Battaglia Canal; or B) starting the same as alternative A, as far as Battaglia Terme, then leaving the canal and touching upon two of the most popular destinations of the Colli Euganei [Euganean hills]: Villa Barbarigo in Valsanzibio and Arquà Petrarca.

Point of departure is the FS train station in Padova. Cross the piazzale in front of the station to find the bike path, turn left and following the GPS trace, head towards the city center, as far as the main piazza with the historic Caffè Pedrocchi, the university and the town hall; then continue as far as Prato della Valle the largest piazza in Padova.

At the far side of Prato della Valle pass through the arch which leads to the historic Stadio Silvio Appiani, cross the parking lot and continue until you find the bike path to the right that travels on sidewalks all the way out of town; follow the path for a short section along the river Bacchiglione, turn left, crossing over the river and soon after take the steel bridge to the right, and then a small street to the left, that ends in a barricade which marks the beginning of an unpaved bike path, about 3 km/2 miles long, along the Battaglia Canal; eventually this turns into a narrow road that continues along the canal; the good news here is that this road is paved, the bad news is that it is open to motor traffic, even though a sign warns that access is limited to residents only; but unfortunately we are in Italy where nobody attempts to enforce this rule; vehicular traffic is reduced but by no means non-existent and on such a narrow road it presents a clear danger to cyclists, who need to keep up their guard.

At the beginning of the small paved road, on the right, we find Villa Molin; continue for about ten kilometers [six miles] to the entrance of the Castello [castle] del Catajo. Here begins a stretch of dedicated bike path, recently restored, as far as the village of Battaglia Terme. From here follow the main road (Via Roma) directly to the Terme [baths].

As mentioned at the beginning, at this point there are two alternatives:

• Alternative A: turn left to reach the bank along the canal that you then follow towards the right; after a bit you will come upon a gravel bike/pedestrian path closed to motorized traffic. Along the first section you will see Villa Selvatico, on a small hill to the right. The bike path is interrupted at the crossing of a local road that in 5 km/3 miles (towards the right, west) could take you to Arquà Petrarca in the Colli Euganei [Euganean hills]. Follow this road for just a few meters and before the street-level crossing you will find, on the left, a road that runs along a canal in a straightaway of about 3 km/2 miles that leads to Via Trento e Trieste at Monselice, which takes one, by going right, to the FS train station.
• Alternative B: turn right until you come to a rotary; on the right you will locate a bike lane next to a road that passes under the Venezia-Bologna railroad tracks. After the underpass there is another rotary, go around it and find the road to Valsanzibio (Via Petrarca) with a bike lane on the right side. The bike lane, at first paved and in good repair, changes to broken pavement and gravel for the long straightaway that ends in Valsanzibio. When you arrive continue to the huge Villa Barbarigo with its spectacular aquatic entrance and large park. From here go back along provincial road 25 with some ups and downs until the turnoff to Arquà Petrarca. The road reaches the town center by way of a not-too-challenging climb. From Arquà take the downhill road, to the right of the church, until you join up with Via Palazzina, a quiet secondary road but very narrow which skirts around Monte Ricco with some ups and downs; eventually you reach the outskirts of Monselice and a street-level crossing right in front of the FS train station of Monselice.

If you have time, in Monselice it is worth your effort to climb the rocca [rocky hill] to Villa Duodo and its santuario [sanctuary] identified by its seven churches; the climb is short but exhausting and because of the cobbled road surface you are advised to carry your bike.

From Monselice it is possible also to continue to the historic villages of Este, Montagnana and Legnago, or towards Candiana and Pontelongo following the route of the Paduan Lowlands, but in reverse.