Biking between Langa and Monferrato #1 Bistagno, Montechiaro, Castelletto, Terzo

This route has a length of about 31 km and is not particularly difficult and has a vertical drop of about 500 meters. It winds around towns related to the production of Robiola Dop, so it is suitable for those who want to stock this delicious cheese!

In the upper part the landscape is wilder than the low langa, with beautiful views of the woods of Val Bormida.

From Bistagno to Montechiaro d’Acqui

Bistagno

From the inhabited center of Bistagno you exit passing the rail crossing.

Then, inserted on the provincial one, you turn to the right to cross the bridge on the Bormida. After an uphill stretch, continue along the bottom of the valley until you reach the junction on the right that leads to the old caravan route, of which Ponti was a post station.

You cross the village and then rejoin the provincial, passing another rail crossing. Some kilometers uphill lead to Montechiaro Piana. At the height of the first houses, turn left to face the climb that leads to Montechiaro Alto.

The climb is constant and requires no particular effort, in about a kilometer you arrive at Montechiaro Alto, a hamlet of Montechiaro d’Acqui, a characteristic village perched on the ridge that separates the Erro valley from the Val Bormida.

With a short detour you enter the heart of the village of medieval origin.

Montechiaro d’Acqui

From Montechiaro to Terzo

After passing Montechiaro, go along an up and down that follows the profile of the hills along the Sp 225, partly covering the ancient commercial road that connected the Ligurian coast with the hinterland.

Going beyond the junction for the Sanctuary of Carpeneta, continue to the village of Castelletto d’Erro, ignoring the side road that goes down towards Bistagno. With a short detour you’ll enter the village and will see up the hill the watchtower and the ruins of the castle.

With a fast descent you’ll arrive on level ground, always following the provincial road 225. After some downhill bends continue on level ground. When you reach a crossroads, pass the detour for Arzello on the right and take the Sp 226 on the left. Once you’ve arrived near the Bormida river take the provincial road 227, which in a couple of kilometers leads you to Terzo, after passing a bridge over the river.

On the top of the hill there is also a tower, which allows you to have a very broad look towards the Asti Langa and the Monferrato.

Return to Bistagno

You leave the village returning on the same bridge, but this time you’ll take the provincial 30 on the right, which with a slight climb leads you to Bistagno in about 4 kilometers.