MTB - Monferrato - Castagnole Monferrato

The Walks of the High Shady Hills and Clear Hills – Leg 10

The route connects Viarigi with Scurzolengo, passing through Montemagno, Castagnole Monferrato and Refrancore. On the way you can see beautiful landscapes, fascinating architectures and vineyards. Barbera, Grignolino and Ruchè are typical red wines produced in this area.

The point of departure of this leg is located at the cemetery of Viarigi. Go up the slope towards the church of Gombo, which is the first hill west Viarigi. When you are here, go straight ahead for about 2 km on a path of farmlands, fields, woods, hazelnut groves, and vineyards.

You get to the village of Montemagno. The road intersects with SP 14. Go past it, take the dirt road and go straight ahead for 150 metres before passing through fields and woods for 300 metres. Take SP 29 towards Castagnole Monferrato, passing by the square of Montemagno where many matches of ball game tamburello (typical sport of Monferrato popular in spring and summer) are played. The very old castle with an irregular plan, an elliptical courtyard, and Ghibelline swallow-tail battlements reigns proudly over the square.

The route towards Castagnole Monferrato continues on a parallel road to Strada Provinciale. Take Via Rinetti Dottore and go straight for 100 metres, then turn right into Via Santa Croce and go ahead for 1.500 m on a paved road that becomes dirt and is surrounded by nature. You come to the intersection with Strada Provinciale, which connects Montemagno with Castagnole.

Castagnole Monferrato is the village of Ruchè, a DOCG red wine produced from one of the rarest vines of Monferrato, probably brought by monks from Bourgogne. This is a wine for special occasions, linked to the most beautiful moments of life. It has always been offered to important people and beloved ones.

Go past the pharmacy, in the direction towards Asti, after 50 metres turn right into Via Guglielmo Marconi and go straight for about 1.200 m. Pass through the grove on the right, then go straight for 800 metres towards the hamlet of Calcini. Go up the slope until reaching the municipality of Migliandolo di Portacomaro and go along the ridge of Scurzolengo. This route is particularly scenic. In fact, on the way there are farmlands, woods, hazelnut groves, and vineyards. Go down the valley of Mole and go up until reaching Scurzolengo. This stop ends in the proximity of the chapel of San Giuseppe in Via Martiri della Libertà.