GTL - Grande Traversata delle Langhe - Stage 15B: Bric del Cucco (Cravanzana)

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Highlights and tour details

This other variant of the GTL, together with the previous route, allows to complete the so-called “hazelnut ring”, walking among woods and hazelnut groves.

The point of departure is Bric del Cucco, on the ridge that from Cravanzana leads to Castino. Exited the village, you reach the crossroads known as the Crociera di Cravanzana.

A few metres to the right cross the road and climb to the left of the church dedicated to Madonna del Rosario. The road climbs gently between the hazelnut groves, to bring you to the edge of the steepest slope of the hill. A downhill section leads to touching the large hazelnut grove that surrounds Cascina Guglielminetti and leads in a short time to the junction for the hamlet of Grella. Turn right, abandoning the paved road, on a quiet gravel road and, skirting the chestnut wood that dominates it, continue on a wide and scenic bend. At the next junction, follow the flat road on the left, among the trees, which allows you to bypass the Bric Grella (620 m asl).

The descent to the hamlet of Torre Bormida begins here. It appears to our right at the centre of a small plateau, suspended over the valley. Descend and, forgetting the road that leads towards the houses of Grella, continue on the dirt track on the left that on flat ground heads towards the wood. Keeping close to the crest descend gently, admiring the lovely vegetation of the undergrowth, to a not very obvious crossroads, with several large stones that invite you to stop. Continue on the dirt track that descends to the left, under the crest, in the wood composed almost exclusively of chestnuts, full of primroses in spring. A bend to the left allows to skirt a hazelnut grove for a short time. Keeping on the dirt track that covers the right edge, bend to the right at the junction, entering the wood, to then continue on the wide trail that continues flat to reach a spring, just under the track, with numerous puddles created by the small stream that flows from it..

Passed the spring, a short climb takes to a bend and it is crossed on the sunnier and drier side of the hill: the essences that make up the wood change accordingly and once again there are many specimens of Scot’s pine and downy oak. In a short time, you reach a hill where four trails meet; on the left, fixed in the ground, you can observe an “end” in stone. From the crossroads, you need to climb a few steps to the left, following the crest until the top of the hill, to then descend, always on the trail that continues, not very obvious, among the trees, mainly turkey oaks in this section..

You reach another saddle (with the usual crossing of trails) and continue along the flat crest line. On the left, among the vegetation, you can see the remains of the castle that dominates the settlement of Cortemilia, with the characteristic round tower that has become its symbol. A pair of particularly steep downhill sections take to a chapel on the edge of croplands, almost all hazelnut groves, of course, that surround Torre Bormida. Around the church, continue to the right on the flat gravel road, skirting an imposing dry support wall, characteristic presence in this section of Upper Langa. Having arrived at the paved road, in a short time you will reach Fossata Soprana.

Continue to descend for a few metres, then turn left at a junction, going around a lovely cherry tree. Skirting yet another hazelnut grove, you reach Fossata Sottana. At the next junction, descend to the right, reaching a tiny bridge and passing the rio Lacciacode. From here climb again, always on a paved road, to reach the houses of Torre Bormida, in the hamlet of Pietra, at the crossroads with the provincial road that descends from Cravanzana.

Here we are again in Torre Bormida, terminating the hypothetical ring. Here you can lose yourself among the houses, stroll along the only road and enjoy the landscape to the full, only true protagonist of Upper Langa.

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