Sezzadio→Spigno Monferrato

Description of the route

The second stage starts from Sezzadio and crosses the southern heart of the province of Alessandria for 63.6 kilometres, connecting the plain to the Acquese hills and therefore to the Bormida valley. It is a varied day, with 495 meters of climbing and almost five indicative hours of movement, in which the landscape changes several times without imposing high technical difficulties. The narrative thread remains that of Aleramo: from the places linked to his origins we move towards the route which, according to legend, led him between Piedmont and Liguria.

The first part is mostly smooth until Cassine, a village that preserves a recognizable historical heritage and which the route also associates with the memory of Luigi Tenco. From here begins a gentle climb of about three kilometers towards Ricaldone. The vineyards return to occupy the foreground, while the more open points offer views of the hills. The passage continues to Alice Bel Colle and Strevi Alto, where the layout of the village and the prospects over the Acquese invite you to slow down before the descent towards Acqui Terme.

Acqui is the great cultural stop of the day. The Roman and spa city offers time for a visit to the center before getting back on your bike in the direction of the Bormida valley. From this moment the route takes on a more fluvial character and follows the natural corridor through Monastero Bormida. The medieval castle and the bridge over the river recall the historical importance of this crossing, indicated by the official source as a plausible passage also for the legendary journey of Aleramo.

The last kilometers lead to Spigno Monferrato, a medieval village perched on the Bormida and linked to the history of the Del Carretto family, marquises of Finale. It is an arrival that clearly anticipates the direction of the next stage: the vineyard hills remain behind, while the hills that separate Piedmont from Liguria rise in front. Along the itinerary there are places with fountains and refreshment options, but such a complex day still requires autonomy, control of the weather and regular energy management.