Ovada→Ovada

Description of the route

The Ovada ring is the most compact of the Strade di Coppi, but in its 46.6 kilometers it contains 677 meters of climb and a notable variety of surfaces and landscapes. The approximate time is three hours and forty minutes, sufficient for a half day of sport or for a slower outing, with stops in the villages. The profile oscillates between 131 and 358 metres: it does not reach high altitudes, but the hills impose continuous changes in pace and make it important to distribute the effort.

From Ovada the track reaches Trisobbio and Morsasco, both characterized by the presence of the castle, then descends towards Rivalta Bormida. The next stretch is more relaxed and leads in the direction of Predosa, allowing you to recover a regular cadence after the first undulations. It is a useful section for observing the transition from the hills of Ovada to the more open areas, before the route begins to gain altitude again.

From Castelferro the climb towards Mantovana begins; the trail then reaches Rocca Grimalda, indicated by the official sheet as a medieval village of particular interest, and from here prepares the return to Ovada. The surface is not uniform: Outdooractive detects approximately 71.08% of road, 19.25% of asphalt and 9.28% of dirt road, as well as very short stretches classified as paths. The choice of bicycle and tires must therefore take into account not only the difference in altitude, but also this alternation.

The return to Ovada concludes a balanced ring between wine landscape, castles and cycling memories. Although it is shorter than the Tortona and Gavi circuits, it requires attention on the dirt sections, at crossroads and on the descents towards the valley floor. Departure and arrival coincide: it is advisable to reach the point indicated on the map in advance, check local parking and access and keep the GPX active during the entire tour. Helmet, gloves and repair material remain essential even on an itinerary of limited duration.