GTL - Grande Traversata delle Langhe - Stage 15A: Torre Bormida

Highlights and tour details

Variant of the GTL, the route is an ideal continuation of the Bergolo-Torre Bormida variant and allows to move to the ridge of Cravanzana. The section is uphill, but easy, and runs between many hazelnut groves, commonly grown up here. Uniting it to the next route, which is downhill, it allows to create a ring, dedicated entirely to the hazelnut.

Start off from Torre Bormida, a village positioned halfway up the hill guarding the river, over which it is reflected from above. A single street runs through it to the church square, from where the houses are arranged in a circular shape towards the valley. Besides the original concentric and the nearby cemetery, in the woody side to the east of the village, we find the remains of the castle, which highlight the age of the place, not only for the defensive position but also for the crossroads of trade routes controlled from here over the centuries.

What makes the village particularly interesting is the rural architecture to discover, climbing a little everywhere between the dry stone walls that have ‘scalped’ the entire southern slope over the centuries, tearing arable land from the impossible heights of the valley. Next to the dry stone walls, there are the farmhouses, perfectly placed to make the most of the sun and wind, built in stone and wood with very few brick inserts. And then, again, wells and driers (a circular one rises beautifully at the crossroads of the valley bottom), barns and tool sheds, tuff crotin and wooden lobbie (namely dug cellars and balconies), in an infinite repetition of technique and need, of wisdom and innovation that have made this valley an open-air museum of the stone of Langa and of the century-old dignified poverty of its residents.

From the provincial road, following the signs for Villaretti, take the path uphill for a few dozen metres. Next to a boundary wall, from the characteristic round shape, you go right on to the paved road, to climb towards the wood. This was the ancient route that joined Torre Bormida and Cravanzana climbing along the Valroggero; evidence of this is the retaining wall and the votive aedicule dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Once near a farmhouse and passed the aqueduct basin proceed on dirt track that goes flat into the wood. Arrived at the first junction, climb left, along the dry wall, while at the second junction, proceed on flat ground, in a very degraded wood. Go passed a small rio and, after a last flat section, the trail becomes stony and presents furrows dug by the water of several springs. Climb until you meet a road in concrete and, after a few dozen metres, you come out on the crest of the hill, close to a votive aedicule and of the more recent and monumental entrance to Cascina Ferrera, one of the largest hazelnut groves of Upper Langa. In the background, appears the settlement of Cravanzana, dominated by the castle. Proceed left, on the paved road that crosses the hazelnut grove, aiming at the village and, before long, you reach the town hall.

Attractions

Cravanzana : Fontana Castle . Torre Bormida: Fortified Structures.

Other information

Source: Unione Montana Alta Langa
Itinerary code: GTL
Recommended period: Apr - Nov
Access by public transport: Yes
Classification: Medium and low mountain provincial
Provinces crossed: Langhe Monferrato e Roero

Departure, arrival and municipalities crossed

Departure

Via Umberto Maddalena
12050 Torre Bormida (CN)
Cuneo

see on map

Arrival

Via Costavita
Cravanzana
12050 Cravanzana (CN)
Cuneo

see on map

Links

http://www.langheroero.it/

Stages

Please note that the routes may include some sections where there is traffic.

The information contained in the pathways is not binding on the authors and verifiers of the pathways.

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Hiking