GTL - Grande Traversata delle Langhe - Stage 4: Prunetto - Gottasecca | Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, Lake Mergozzo and Ossola Valleys

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Highlights and tour details

Route in the heart of the Uzzone Valley, to discover the Wood of Beech trees, the last survivor of the high lands, ecstatically observing just how much nature has protected up here. We are at the edges of the province, very close to the Ligurian border that is just a few kilometres from Gottasecca.

Departure point is the village of Prunetto, whose castle stands overlooking the hill below, saved from an earthquake that engulfed half of the village, saving the castle and leaving it right at the edge of the chasm. The most pious say it was the action of the Hand of God who wanted to save the nearby Shrine of Madonna del Carmine, extraordinary 12^th century architecture and enlarged many times through the centuries, this alone makes the trip up here worthwhile. Inside, remarkable 15^th century frescoes by Segurano Cigna from Mondovì and interesting remains of preceding paintings, among the oldest of the entire valley. The meadow of the shrine is the perfect backdrop for the castle, imposing 13^th century medieval fortress which has lost nothing of its original appearance except the moats: the scenic round corner tower, the entrance from the drawbridge, the Palacium, connected with the chemin-de-ronde and the embrasures at the entrance to the keep, the inner courtyard, the pointed mullion windows of the late 15^th century embellish the southern and western façade. From the medieval village you need to take the road that climbs, in the crossroads in front of the church and, following the signs for Pian Rocchetto, Bosco, Piani, turn left at the first junction, immediately after the car park of a trattoria. Climb gently between the farmhouses and turn left with a wide arch, and crossed several sections of wood, reach the junction of the hamlet of Piani. Climb to the right and you soon reach the last farm. Enter the courtyard, turn right and climb towards the top of the hill, where a solitary ciabot stands, in a position that allows to admire both the castle of Prunetto and the Uzzone Valley.

The itinerary enters a Wood of Beech trees, close to a small rest area: here, we recommend a short detour, at the first junction on the left, to admire a thick group of large beech trees that create a particularly picturesque environment. This is perhaps the last area of the Upper Langa in which we can admire these magnificent trees: once they were much more common, now they are relegated in a few isolated specimens to the damper valleys.

Back on the flat dirt track, continue left, going on to the crest as far as the crossroads on Bricco della Colma. Turn left, on a paved road, descending quickly until you pass a votive aedicule and an isolated farmhouse. A last flat section allows to reach an obvious crossroads: abandon the paved road to take a path that climbs to the left in the wood, first in a sparse pinewood, then in a cooler chestnut wood. In this section, it is possible to admire lush flora, paradise for lovers of the kind. Not by chance, the underlying Uzzone Valley is green and rich in unspoilt woods, ideal for mushroom hunters and hikers.

Having reached a more obvious dirt track, go left, until you reach a crossroads, characterised by an aqueduct deposit. Descend to the right for a few metres and then turn left on the flat dirt track. Taking the left fork in the road, you can reach the high point above the village of Gottasecca, where the remains of the old castle are present, now reduced to a severed tower a few metres away and a piece of the scarp perimeter of the enclosure. Descend to the characteristic village without forgetting to take a look at the bust of the poet and patriot of the Risorgimento Ravina, born here two centuries ago, and at the main street that from the parish church descends straight between the houses as far as the provincial road.

Attractions

Prunetto : Castle of Prunetto , Shrine of Madonna del Carmine . Gottasecca : Shrine of Maria Vergine Assunta .

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