Mornese→Gavi

Description of the route

Leaving Mornese, you descend into the valley along dirt roads up to a small ford. Beyond the watercourse, a short but decisive climb crosses the vineyards and reaches the hamlet of Costa di Santo Stefano, from which a wide view opens up over the entire valley.

At the crossroads, keep right and follow the provincial road until Bosio. The town retains a clear Apennine character; after the centre, a small bridge leads to a winding asphalt road, full of ups and downs, which leads to Carrosio. A second bridge allows you to cross the provincial road and enter the village.

Once out of Carrosio, the bridge over the Lemme marks the beginning of the main climb of the stage. The ascent is long and demanding, it passes through the almost abandoned center of Ricoi and progressively changes surface, from asphalt to dirt road. Once you reach the ridge, the panorama includes the Via del Sale and the Giarolo, Ebro and Chiappo mountains on the left, while Tobbio, Figne and Leco can be seen on the right.

Path 490 goes past the top of Monte Erbano and heads towards Gavi. The Fort, visible from afar, becomes the natural reference for orientation in the last part. The descent gradually leads to the historic center and Piazza Dante Alighieri, concluding a stage in which the vineyard hills give way to the clearer profiles of the Apennines.