Up and down the hills of Monferrato

Round route among the hills of Monferrato, surrounded by vineyards and hazelnut trees, admiring villages and castles set in the UNESCO World Heritage landscapes.

After an unmissable visit to Canelli’s underground tufa cellars known as “Underground Cathedrals”, exit the town following the river Belbo in the direction of Nizza Monferrato; after 5km, at Pieve di San Giovanni delle Conche, turn left for San Marzano.

It is a gentle climb along hazelnut trees up to the last kilometre, where we reach an 8/9% slope. In San Marzano Oliveto with its beautiful medieval castle the route begins to descend and after roughly 1km, take the detour on the right towards Regione Chierina.

At the next crossroads turn left up the hill to Moasca, where the medieval fortress is worth a visit. Exit the village and descend towards the crossroads with the main road SP6, where you will find the church of Annunziata; from here keep riding following the signs to Agliano Terme, gently climbing up to the lovely village, well-known for Barbera wine produced in the area and the spa that you can reach with a detour downhill.

The itinerary continues on back roads to avoid the traffic of the busy main roads and allows to enjoy a quiet ride through outstanding landscapes and superb views. Admiring the village of Montegrosso in front of you, keep riding and go past Vallumida, Santo Stefano, Madonnina with its Sanctuary from the 18th century, until you get to Costigliole d'Asti. Don’t miss a stop in the village, more beauty is waiting to be discovered.

When you get to the ring road, continue uphill to the crossroads where you turn left for Annunziata. After the church of Annunziata, descend in the direction of Castagnole delle Lanze. Riding up and down the hills you will get to the village, which is worth a visit with its Barbera vine rows: if you like, you even have the chance to adopt one!

From here, go down towards the station and take the busy main road along the railway to Boglietto. After 1km leave the valley road and climb towards Calosso riding through the vineyards along one of the most beautiful landscapes of this hilly region, not by chance listed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. The village is worth a visit with its halved castle, but our itinerary takes us to the left towards Canelli. Some more kilometres up and down the hills through the vineyards to S. Antonio and you will get back to the starting point in Canelli.