GREAT CROSSING OF THE LANGHE
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ProgrammeDay 1 - CASTINO/CRAVANZANA/FEISOGLIO/NIELLA 17,5 km, difference in level +130 meters, moderate
The excursion departs from the town square in Castino, a small town with ancient origins, as seen in the three priceless, unearthed tombstones. Participants enjoy a walk through the town, then start the hike towards Cravanzana, with a visit of the historic centre and the imposing castle built in 1190. A picnic lunch and time to rest are scheduled in a scenic location along the path towards Feisoglio. The group stops to taste hazelnuts (and more!) at a farmstead, then continues along the ridge while taking in the spectacular views all the way to the farmhouse for a traditional dinner and overnight stay. Day 2 - NIELLA BELBO/S. BENEDETTO/MOMBARCARO/PAVONCELLA 18 km, difference in level 230 meters, moderate/challenging After a traditional breakfast of milk, tea, coffee, bread, jam, and local sweets, the excursion continues towards the antique town of San Benedetto Belbo, a location which Beppe Fenoglio held in his soul, where the old rectory and the ruins of the medieval wall are still clearly visible today. Guests enjoy a bag lunch then Continue along the scenic ridge towards Mombarcaro, the so-called roof of the Langhe region. This location is often caressed by the “Marino” wind and, on clear days, offers phenomenal views of Monte Rosa on one side and the sea on the other. After, there is a downhill hike to Pavoncella for dinner and the overnight stay. Day 3 - PAVONCELLA/SALICETO 7,5 km, difference in level -230 meters, moderate After breakfast, guests go a short walk through the woods in search of wild orchids and, if in season, aromatic herbs (lavender, chamomile) which surprisingly are indigenous to this corner of the Langhe, so close to the sea. After a bag lunch, the group departs for Saliceto with a stop at the remarkable Chapel of San Martino di Lignera, with its frescoes which have been perfectly preserved from the 15th century and its beautiful medieval bell tower. Dinner and overnight stay are in the medieval town with its ancient castle and mysterious Templar symbols. Day 4 – SALICETO/GOTTASECCA 10,5 km, difference in level 300 meters, challenging After a breakfast of, among other things, "focaccia" (a daily staple in Millesimo, a town only 10 km south of Saliceto where Italian is spoken with a strong Ligurian accent and the food is heavily influenced by the sea), the group departs for Gottasecca. The hike leads to the farmstead for a visit to the farm and a traditional lunch, followed by time for a rest or for a horseback ride along one of the many trails around the farmstead (optional, with an additional charge). Dinner and overnight stay. Day 5 – GOTTASECCA/PRUNETTO/BERGOLO 17 km, difference in level -80 meters, easy After breakfast, participants walk through the Faggi (beech) Wood, all the way to Prunetto, a stunning and characteristic town located at the top of the ridge, that offers 360° views of the hills and a large castle-fort dating from the 12th century. Stone interiors, a small Mule and Ethnographic museum, ancient correspondence, and a series of frescoes by Segurano Cigna dating from 1478 in the nearby Santuario della Madonna del Carmine make Prunetto a timeless location and one of the most important artistic-archaeological sites in the Alta Langa region. The visit is followed by a picnic lunch in the castle yard with panoramic views. In the afternoon, the hike continues on to Bergolo, the smallest town in the Langhe region with just 71 inhabitants. Bergolo is a captivating village entirely constructed in sandstone that has a lovely centre with murals by young artists. Just a short walk from the town centre is the Cappella di San Sebastiano dating from the 12th century, located in the midst of breathtakingly panoramic views that are framed by the towers of the Langhe area near Asti.. Dinner and overnight stay in the small village. Day 6 – BERGOLO/CORTEMILIA/CASTINO 13 km, difference in level -350 m + 280 m, moderate Breakfast is followed by the departure for Cortemilia where the Langhe area gives off the unmistakable scent of hazelnuts. The group stops at a farmstead, where, in a very familial and simple setting, delicacies made with hazelnuts are prepared: cakes, cookies, chocolates, and Baci di Dama. Upon arrival at Cortemilia, there is a visit to the historic centre and to the town's most famous pastry shop, where two of the family's own creations, the Torta Gentile and the Segreto della Dama, are copyrighted. Participants have lunch on their own then continue on to Castino in the early afternoon. MEETING PLACE: Town square in Castino.
TIME: h. 10.00. DURATION: 5 nights/6 days. WHEN: from May to October. NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: min 6 persons / max 15 persons |
