GTL - Grande Traversata delle Langhe - Stage 6: Saliceto - Mombarcaro

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Highlights and tour details

A long route that crosses the Nature Reserve Sorgenti del Belbo, part of the Natural Park of Marguareis, a wetland area from which rises the Belbo, the river that divides the Langhe from these highlands.

From Saliceto, take the provincial road SP295 in the direction of Camerana. Following the signs, take the trail that continues on the provincial road to Campolungo where, after a short distance, you turn left before crossing the Rio Gambarana, for the hamlet of Rocchezza. Continue on to San Giovanni Belbo from where you climb to La Pavoncella Refuge.

We are in the most unspoilt part of Upper Langa, a perfect point for any hiker who wants to practice outdoor activities, in summer and in winter. The basin where the refuge is located is the final part of the Nature Reserve Sorgenti del Belbo that is born from a “semi-dome” wetland between Montezemolo, Camerana and Saliceto. The Belbo Valley, which will so deeply divide the Langhe shortly, is now just slightly accentuated and both ridges are more similar to soft hills. However, shortly after Pavoncella, our destination, the hill of Mombarcarco, rises up high (it is the Langhe Peak that is close to 900 metres in height).

From the refuge, continue to Cascina Cassolo where you take a dirt track inside a wood and continue along the ridge until you arrive at the croplands that surround the Bric Giacotto. Descend to the gravel road to reach Cascina Flambè, from where you continue on the ridge, travelling several sections of wood, to reach a hill from which you descend on a steep gravel road to reach the paved provincial road that runs between the Belbo and the Tanaro Valley. On the provincial road continue for a stretch to the left for Mombarcaro, until you reach the detour for the Shrine of Madonna delle Grazie. From there, continue along an ancient path that leads to the Church of San Pietro and then to the aqueduct from where you resume the provincial road to reach the historic centre of Mombarcaro passing under the medieval arch.

Mombarcaro is almost Ligurian for the vertical nature of the hill, which forces it into terraces of parallel routes, connected by cobbled paths when not by labyrinth-like stairs, moist with freshness and marin, the wind that carries the aromas of the nearby Liguria. An intact city gate (the other broken into two stumps) reminds us of the idea of a closed village, narrow and protected by walls, moats, towers and castles ruined by time and wars, while the historical museum preserves a Roman stele.

Attractions

Saliceto : Church of San Lorenzo , Church of San Martino di Lignera , Castle of the Marquises of Carretto , Shrine of Madonna della Neve Sorgenti del Belbo Nature Reserve Camerana : Medieval Tower. Mombarcaro : City Gate and Medieval Arch , Historical-Ethnographic Museum , Chapel of San Rocco .

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