Trekking in Monferrato

Monferrato trekking routes: 7 ideas for a green weekend

With its hilly landscapes, endless vineyards, and picturesque villages, Monferrato offers an ideal environment for unforgettable outdoor adventures. Below, we will explore five fascinating ideas for a countryside getaway immersed in greenery, among enchanting trails and breathtaking panoramas.

The Gnomes' Trail, Castelletto Monferrato

In Castelletto Monferrato, a short distance from Alessandria and San Salvatore Monferrato, extends a truly special trail: a path populated by supernatural gnomes! This itinerary winds for about 4 kilometers in the immediate vicinity of Castelletto Monferrato, crossing panoramic hilly landscapes and forest sections. The path begins near the Church of San Rocco, from which you continue along the CAI trail 610. As soon as you move away from the town center, the first signs of the gnomes' settlement are revealed: numerous trees welcome small doors that serve as entrances to the magical creatures' homes, but also to pubs, shops, and libraries. A real village has developed here!

The presence of some tiny clothes hanging here and there confirms that the gnomes' kingdom is active: during the pleasant walk, children will have fun identifying all the clues that reveal the daily life of these magical creatures that dwell in Monferrato's woods. Along the route, you'll encounter a small rest area surrounded by greenery, equipped with wooden tables and chairs, where children can enjoy discovering books and games made available to anyone who wishes to use them.

The Nizza Monferrato Loop

If you find yourself in Monferrato, set aside an hour of your time for a relaxing and easy walk that will lead you to the heart of one of the main areas of the Wine Landscapes recognized as UNESCO World Heritage, that of Nizza Monferrato. The Nizza Monferrato trek develops in a loop shape, traced along the Astesana Wine Road, and crosses vineyards, hazelnut groves, woods, and fields, offering breathtaking panoramas.

Nizza Monferrato, founded during Emperor Barbarossa's time, rises in the valley crossed by the Belbo stream and is a fascinating and lively commercial city. It is surrounded by splendid hills covered with vineyards, mainly dedicated to Barbera. The quality of these vines is such that, with the 2014 harvest, they were granted the prestigious "Nizza DOCG" denomination, thus recognizing the tireless work of numerous producers, true guardians and architects of this harmonious and fascinating landscape.

To start the trek, head toward Piazzale Giovanni Falcone, where you can park your car and begin your route along via Oratorio (SP. 40). A little further on, you'll find yourself next to the large Don Bosco Oratory, a former convent acquired at the end of the 19th century by Saint John Bosco, founder of the Salesian order, with the intention of making it the headquarters of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Currently, this building houses numerous local associations.

The Great Monferrato Walk

A completely new food and wine itinerary winds through Monferrato, connecting existing and clearly marked route sections. The 382 kilometers of the Great Monferrato Walk unfold along enchanting trails and picturesque villages, crossing countless vineyards and farms. This walk crosses 65 municipalities and offers an extraordinary variety of landscapes. Divided into 18 stages, the route begins with a first section of 18 kilometers (about 5 hours) that starts from Piazza Castello in Casale Monferrato and reaches the Castle of Cesereto. The last stage, instead, begins in Lu Monferrato and covers 24 kilometers, bringing walkers back to the starting point, Casale Monferrato. This initiative is an excellent proposal for slow tourism enthusiasts, offering a unique experience that allows complete immersion in Monferrato's food and wine treasures and fascinating landscapes.

The Burned Castles Monferrato

Through vineyards, castles, parish churches, and woods, winds a trekking route that leads to the discovery of Val Cerrina, following lightly traveled roads. The objective is to connect 11 municipalities between Val Cerrina and Lower Monferrato and make the beauties of these places accessible, following an itinerary that develops mainly on secondary roads with little traffic.

The Burned Castles Monferrato trekking itinerary was born in 2016 from a shared idea between UTCB Castelli Bruciati and Augusto Cavallo of Cammini DiVini. This slow-paced journey offers the opportunity to discover, on foot, by bicycle, or even on horseback, a territory that encompasses thousand-year history and tradition. The very name of the itinerary reveals the common thread that unites the villages present along the route, which share the presence of castles linked by the incendiary event orchestrated by Frederick I, known as Barbarossa. The overall route of the Burned Castles Monferrato loop itinerary covers a distance of 100 kilometers, with departure and arrival in Cerrina. Along the way, travelers will have the opportunity to discover 35 churches and 8 castles, immersed in a fascinating natural environment.

Trekking to San Giorgio Castle from Casale Monferrato

The itinerary that leads to the village of San Giorgio is one of the most frequented trekking trails in Casale Monferrato. For those who wish to face a more daring challenge, it's possible to start on foot from the city center. Alternatively, for an easier beginning, you can drive an initial section of Salita Sant'Anna. There's no reason to worry: the route is not particularly long, but Salita Sant'Anna can be challenging. Along the road that connects Casale and San Giorgio, Monferrato reveals all its splendor, with hilly panoramas, brightly colored vineyards, and the fascinating castle that stands increasingly imposing. The entire itinerary follows an extra-urban road, so you can directly enter the route on Google Maps to facilitate navigation.

The Five Towers Tour

A much-loved itinerary, to be traveled over several days, develops as a loop through the ridges of Langa Astigiana, crossing the municipalities of Monastero Bormida, Bubbio, Loazzolo, Cessole, Vesime, San Giorgio Scarampi, Olmo Gentile, and Roccaverano. This fascinating route consists of eight stages, each with something unique to offer. The journey begins in Canelli, a municipality located in the province of Asti and recognized by UNESCO, and continues along the uphill trail 313 toward Loazzolo, also located in the province of Asti. Along the way, you'll find several equipped camping areas for pitching tents and welcoming B&Bs for comfortable rest. In this itinerary, you'll have the opportunity to discover in detail all the stages and their peculiarities.

The Valcerrina Loop

If you have a weekend available and want to organize a 2-day trek in Monferrato, the Valcerrina Loop represents a perfect circular itinerary for an excursion along the trails that cross the picturesque Valcerrina, from Mombello Monferrato to Gabiano Castle and back. This region extends over vast and very green hills, covered by thick woods and dotted with villages, churches, and castles. Among these stands out the suggestive Gabiano Castle, which constitutes one of the intermediate stops of the route. The entrance to Valcerrina immediately reveals the difference compared to the nearby hills of Monferrato Casalese further south, beyond Cereseto. In this area of Lower Monferrato, the reliefs are more rugged and, instead of traditional agricultural cultivations and vineyard expanses, large wooded areas of intense green prevail. It is precisely in this setting that the route develops, although there will be no shortage of opportunities to walk here and there through the vine rows.