GTL - Grande Traversata delle Langhe - Stage 11: Albaretto della Torre - Benevello

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Highlights and tour details

Crest route that leads to Pavaglione. The section offers fascinating views. Albaretto allows to descend in the opposite direction and, by travelling a very wide ring, to change valley and reach the other ridge of the GTL.

Our route, departed from the centre of Albaretto della Torre, passes right in front of “Botega ‘d Cesare”, on our way out of the village towards Tre Cunei, facing the Church of San Bernardo, to climb immediately to the left and take strada Fontanassino. The road, closed to motor traffic and decorated with the route of the Via Crucis, proceeds meandering and flat until it reaches the provincial road of the crest, shortly after the fountain from which it takes its name. With a little attention (to cars and to motorbikes) travel it to the left and, half way along the next straight road, descend again to the left on a paved lane (with the sign of Cascina Corylicola). Proceed on flat ground on a lovely gravel road in the middle of hazelnuts; pass a spring with a lovely exposed rock cut, to reach a farmhouse. The lane becomes a dirt track and continues on gently sloping grass before climbing with a few bends to the hamlet of Burdia. Here, a plaque remembers the birthplace of the luthier Pressenda who from this remote stone farmhouse went to Turin to make sublime melody instruments that are now impossible to find.

A lovely but steep gravel road allows to reach the provincial crest road once again close to the junction for Benevello, where the Serravalle – Cerretto – Arguello – Lequio Berria diversion also rejoins the main route. Cross the provincial road and follow the signs for Benevello, to abandon the paved road at the first junction and climb to the left, on a gravel road, travel the panoramic crest and, passed an obvious water supply depot, descend to a saddle. From here, abandon the crest, descending on a dirt road to the left, to descend gently among the hazelnut groves to the paved road close to the Cascina Pian dei Gatti.

It is necessary to proceed left, briefly re-joining the provincial road for about 600 metres, and reaching an obvious flat crossroads. From here, go right and climb on the dirt road which is little evident and travels the crest. The road becomes more evident and, always keeping close to the crest, truly very panoramic, reaches the provincial road again at the Belmondo houses and the Church of Madonna di Langa. It is necessary to proceed again on the provincial road for a couple of kilometres to reach the first houses of Benevello: a junction to the right allows to reach the square of the village, with its castle.

In Benevello, the austere bulk of the castle with its two circular towers (private building) is softened by the light-coloured plaster that provides a backdrop to the beautiful parish church of San Pietro in Vincoli, surrounded by a cool but steep panoramic garden: the handful of streets that complete the village are worth an unhurried stroll.

Attractions

Benevello : Parish Church of San Pietro in Vincoli , Church of Madonna di Langa . Albaretto della Torre : Tower , Church of San Bernardo .

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