Cassinelle→Carpeneto

Description of the route

This stage apre is the chapter dedicated to Dolcetto Road and connects Cassinelle to Carpeneto in 32,8 kilometers and approximately 870 meters of climb. It is not just a transfer between two locations: the segment allows you to read the Ovadese and the Gaviese, where vineyards and fortified villages are inserted among woods, valleys and reliefs now close to the Apennines. The distance leaves room for stops, but a strong hilly profile, with climbing distributed along most of the stage requires smooth pedaling management and a leisurely start.

The territory involved includes Carpeneto, Cassinelle, Cremolino, Molare, Montaldo Bormida, Morsasco, Orsara Bormida, Prasco e Trisobbio. 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 the southern sector of the Road, more incisive and intimate, in which the wine landscape dialogues with castles, woods and roads connecting the valleys. 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 32.8 km and approximately +870 m of overall climb; It has a strong hilly profile, with climbs distributed throughout the day. 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 Cassinelle; raggiungilo con il tempo necessario per preparare la bicicletta e orientarti sulla prima parte del tracciato. L'arrivo è a Carpeneto: per questa tappa lineare conviene organizzare il rientro, un trasferimento oppure il proseguimento verso la tappa successiva. L’arrivo a Carpeneto è anche il punto dal quale riparte la tappa seguente della Strada del Dolcetto, 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.