FROM THE LANGHE TO MONFERRATO (LAM)

The departure point is in the old town of Montegrosso, where you will have the chance to admire local monuments and the picturesque hilly landscape of the Val Tiglione, which is where Barbera grape variety is grown and the popular Barbera wine is made. From there, you will easily reachthe 12th-century castle of Montegrosso, an example of how local historical culture and wine culture can merge into an even more important attraction. The castle, which is majestic due to its size and the presence of two watchtowers, now houses a winery and wine cellar. The municipality is also known for some important food and wine events held during the year, such as the Barbera Fair in May – Barbera is the most popular local wine – and the truffle fair in November. The trail continues through the crest and cultivated and wooded areas before descending into the valley and going up to the town of Costigliole d’Asti. It crosses the hills on the left side of the Val Tiglione and reaches the hamlet of Vallumida, where you can admire the parish church of San Defendente where one of his relics is preserved. This church, which was originally a 17th-century chapel, was expanded in the early 20th century. Then, the hamlet of Canova, where we can visit the Sanctuary of Saint Mary of Graces. The trail continues through the crest, from where you can admire the surrounding landscape and reach the church of San Secondo, built in 1720 and restored in 1994, and finally take a short break in the rest area.

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From the hamlet of Burio, you will head south, walking along hillside roads through fields characterised by mixed cropping and vineyards and admiring stunning panoramic views to finally reach Boglietto. Here you can take a short break in one of the many refreshment areas and visit the local church. Interestingly, the etymology of the name of this church was discovered by chance while studying a book written by an author from Piedmont and found in Scotland. Walking across the town of Boglietto you will reach Bionzo, where you can admire stunning panoramic views and the church of San Siro. From here, you can head towards the hamlet of San Bovo di Calosso, the final point of new route 1A, where you can stop at one of the refreshment points and the small square where there is a small, yet well-equipped park and the hamlet’s small church.

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The departure point is in Costigliole d’Asti, already included in the list of properties of the mayor of Asti in 1041, and dominated by the ancient square-shaped castle, one of the largest in the Asti area (60 metres on a side), with a height of 25 metres and four corner towers 28 metres high. The interiors stairs were designed by Filippo Juvarra and is the result of subsequent expansion work on an original layout dating back to 1041. Opposite is the Chiesa di Nostra Signora di Loreto, built in the 19th centuryon the site of a Romanesque church first and then a Renaissance church, inside which we can find works by Michelangelo Pittatore. Departing from Costigliole d’Asti, the trail continues northwards and crosses the hamlets of Alliere and Cavalli to head towards the hamlet of Santa Margherita, where you can admire the church of the same name, passing through wooded areas with both vineyards and cultivated fields, as well as stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area.

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From Castagnole you will walk, through the crest, to the hamlet of Olmo, crossing fields and vineyards while admiring the surrounding landscape. From there, you will head towards the hamlet of Farinere and then return to Castagnole along the opposite crest.

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From the centre of Coazzolo, you will walk along a scenic path that includes most of the surrounding hill tops, from which you can admire picturesque views of the Langhe. This trail passes through several small built-up areas consisting of a few farmsteads and, very often, a few votive chapels. The new route ends in one of these built-up areas, Castelletto, from where you an take section 2 and easily reach Castagnole.

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