Castelnuovo Bormida→San Rocco

Description of the route

This stage apre is the chapter dedicated to Route of Aromatics and connects Castelnuovo Bormida to San Rocco in 29,8 kilometers and approximately 720 meters of climb. It is not just a transfer between two locations: the segment allows you to read the Acquese of the Moscato and Brachetto hills, among vineyard ridges, more intimate valleys and centers that retain a strong oenological identity. The distance leaves room for stops, but a choppy progression, in which ups and downs alternate continuously requires smooth pedaling management and a leisurely start.

The territory involved includes Alice Belcolle, Cassine, Castelnuovo Bormida, Fontanile, Maranzana, Quaranti e Ricaldone. The trail connects these centers without isolating them from the landscape that surrounds them: vineyards, fields, woods and ridges accompany the entrances to the villages and make the passage from one valley to another perceptible. It's a part of the journey in which the agricultural plot alternates with more marked reliefs and the profile requires continuous pedaling, paying attention to the frequent changes in slope. In residential areas it is best to slow down, carefully monitor changes in direction and use stops to observe the relationship between rural architecture and vine cultivation.

The route covers 29.8 km and approximately +720 m of overall climb; it presents a wavy pattern, typical of the Monferrato hills. It is a day to be enjoyed at a regular pace, leaving room for stops in the villages and panoramic points along the itinerary. Bring water, check the weather and choose a vehicle suitable for a long hilly ride. The map at the beginning of the sheet allows you to recognize in advance the roughest sections and the position of the villages with respect to the altitude profile. While pedaling it is useful to keep the GPX available, especially at minor intersections and when the route leaves a main route to enter the local network of hills.

The punto di partenza è a Castelnuovo Bormida; raggiungilo con il tempo necessario per preparare la bicicletta e orientarti sulla prima parte del tracciato. L'arrivo è a San Rocco: per questa tappa lineare conviene organizzare il rientro, un trasferimento oppure il proseguimento verso la tappa successiva. L’arrivo a San Rocco è anche il punto dal quale riparte la tappa seguente della Strada degli Aromatici, perciò può diventare una base di sosta oppure il riferimento per organizzare un viaggio di più giorni. Before getting into the saddle it is advisable to check the weather, water autonomy and road conditions, leaving a margin of time to visit the towns crossed without transforming the route into a simple succession of kilometres.