The Via delle Valli is primarily a destination for cycling enthusiasts, and almost all the routes are marked by the cycling and pedestrian path of the Po. Taking bike rides in the Delta Park is a wonderful experience.
The Via delle Valli takes its name from a natural feature of the Delta del Po: the valleys, in fact. These are areas of saltwater where freshwater also flows in. They are points of junction between river and lagoon. Through the so-called sluices, which are masonry works that interrupt the riverbanks and create a passage through which, depending on the time of year, water flows in and out, regulating the river level.
The importance of these Valli is related to fishing and fish farming. Fish is the fundamental element of almost all typical dishes of the area. Fishing takes place using the "lavoriero": a wooden barrier shaped like an arrow with the tip pointing towards the sea. The periodic movement of water from river to sea (and vice versa) forces fish to gather in specific spots, making it easier for fishermen during the catch.
Mainly, dorade, mullet, and sea bass are caught; thanks to the centuries-old knowledge of the fishermen of the Delta del Po regarding the movements of these fish towards the sea and back to the river, depending on the seasons.
Slow tourism, such as cycling, allows travelers to observe the activities of fishermen and admire the architectural structures that complement the natural landscape, such as the fishermen's houses: wooden stilts used as warehouses for storing the catch.
There are also many farms for clams and mussels in the Valli, which supply the fish markets all year round, especially that of Chioggia, and local restaurants, which always have very fresh fish.
