Water is the constant in this itinerary, which takes you from the sea to the mountains, following the course of the River Sile and the Muson dei Sassi canal before heading back to the lowlands following the tumultuous waters of the Brenta. Its 286 kilometres (178 mi) reveal an extreme variety of landscapes, every one as wonderful as the last.

I’ve divided the loop into three segments, but you can complete it in one or two days if you’re after speed. If you’re not in a hurry, there are plenty of places to stop in between.

The route starts at the Mestre railway station, which is easily reached by train or bus. From here, it crosses a lagoon via a series of cycle paths and reaches Treviso along the River Sile. The route includes an evocative cycle path, derived from the former Treviso-Ostiglia railway line, which allows you to cross the Veneto countryside in the silence of tree-lined roads. You then turn onto the Muson dei Sassi embankment to head straight for the mountains.

After a while, you continue on the Sentiero degli Ezzelini trail to Asolo and then take up a series of minor roads leading to Bassano del Grappa. From here, the route winds along the River Brenta to Padua. Finally, a trail that joins the cycle paths along several watercourses takes you back to the starting point.

The ideal time to ride this loop is from spring to autumn, but you can also do it in the winter months if you’re prepared to deal with the colder temperatures.

As for your bike, a gravel or mountain bike will make for a good companion. The route doesn’t include any technical singletrack, but rugged tyres will make it more comfortable.

Given the modest altitude change, it’s also accessible to less experienced riders. The only challenging climb is the one to Asolo, but if you get tired you can cut it out and head straight for Bassano del Grappa.

If you wish to shorten the journey, you can take advantage of one of the many train connections. Just make sure that the train you choose has space for your bike.

You can easily find overnight accommodation in Treviso, Bassano del Grappa and Mestre. You can also opt for some stops in between, for example in the village of Asolo, in Marostica or in one of the many farmhouses (agritourismo) located in the small, rural towns you pass through.