On the Mincio and on the lakes of Mantua many sailing societies carry out planned departures from Mantua, Grazie di Curtatone, Rivalta sul Mincio. To gain information on the schedule and the sailing route it is possible to refer to their proposals, and there are many choices: you can sail by motor ship, or you can cut through the water of the lakes and of the Mincio river on electric or solar power boats, or you can even slide by canoe among the groves of reeds of the valleys and the islands of the lotus flowers. The stretches branch off from the Upper lake and from the Nature Reserve of the Mincio Valleys (Mantua, Grazie, Rivalta), from the Middle or Lower lakes of Mantua and towards the Nature Reserve of Vallazza, with possible extension along the Lower Mincio up to the Po, through the canal locks.
The stretch of Alto Mincio goes from Pozzolo sul Mincio to Manua, easily navigable on canoe in safety conditions. In the north, instead, from the exit of Lake Garda to Pozzolo, the river is channeled and presents some risky stretches - even mortal - due to artificial barriers. The paths that could be crossed on canoe for individuals and/or groups are mainly three:
1. Pozzolo-Goito l 2. Goito-Rivalta l 3. Rivalta-Mantua
There are several points of loading and landing, here the most recommended. In the entire path from Pozzolo to Mantua there are three barriers (artificial barriers) that could be crossed only with transshipments and another barrier (rosta of crumbled concrete and rocks) that could be easily crossed jumping: it is better not to cross it with transshipments.
The itineraries on boat are proposed by the several shipping companies working on the river Mincio and Mantua's lakes.
The itineraries on canoe are proposed by Arturo Ghirardi, in charge of Ufficio Promozione delle attività dello Sport in Mantua. It is necessary to follow the recommendations about descent, landing and transshipment points not to risk - even deadly. If you are not well trained or you do not know much about the river, it is necessary to be accompanied by an expert canoeist guide.