Parco Fluviale del Santerno
The Santerno river carves a green corridor right through the edge of Imola, and the linear park that follows its banks is one of the most overlooked escapes in Emilia-Romagna — a world of poplars, kingfishers, cycling paths and sandy riverbanks that feels a thousand miles from the industrial outskirts just beyond the levee. Locals use it daily; tourists almost never find it.
Walking & Cycling the Banks
A well-maintained cycle and pedestrian path runs for roughly 8 km along the Santerno from the edge of the historic centre south towards the Apennine foothills, passing under Roman-era stone bridges and alongside poplar groves that turn gold in October. Bikes can be rented from several shops on Via Emilia for around €10 a day.
The stretch between the Autodromo and the old town is particularly scenic — you can walk from the racetrack back to the city centre entirely through the riverside park without touching a road, a combination that makes for a satisfying half-day loop.
Wildlife & Seasons
The Santerno supports a surprisingly rich birdlife: grey herons stalk the shallows year-round, kingfishers flash electric blue along the reedy margins in summer, and little egrets gather in the willows at dusk. Spring brings carpets of wild garlic along the bank paths.
Winter visits have their own drama — when the Apennines are snow-covered, the river runs fast and cold and the bare poplar avenues have a stark, cinematic quality that is completely different from the lush green tunnel of July.
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