A classic trip for local bikers starts from Casale Monferrato and leads to the edge of the Province of Alessandria, around the hill of Madonna dei Monti, village of Grazzano Badoglio, bordering the Province of Asti.
The commemorative column dedicated to Marshal Pietro Badoglio, a native of Grazzano, is to be found on this hill. It is 24 m tall and made of steel on a large granite base, produced by Turin architect Amedeo Albertini, better known for designing the Museo dell’Automobile (car museum) in Turin. The base is embellished with three bronze sculptures by artists Ettore Tinto and Roberto Terracini – representing faith (a cross with the four evangelists), valour (a sword) and the land (a bundle of wheat) – and some simple texts provided by Marziano Bernardi extend across the spaces all along it.
Start from Casale Monferrato and the convenient parking in Piazza Aldo Moro, located next to a supermarket. Head along Via Bligny: on the left head onto a cycle path that passes through the public gardens and leads to Piazzale dell’Aereonatica. Pass alongside the Santo Spirito hospital to the roundabout for Strada San Giorgio Miglietta, leading to the chapel of the Madonna di Lourdes, a cave-shaped hollow made in 1958 as an ex-voto for the sudden healing of Evasio Ganora. The first stretch of track to Via Salita Sant’Anna starts here. At the top of the climb, turn right onto Strada Baldovina. Follow this as far as a little chapel where you turn right onto Via Avallano. Follow this for about 800 m as far as the left turn onto another track.
When you come to the hamlet of Quarti di Pontestura head down to Cascine Lunghe and turn right to take a track to the bottom of the valley leading to the SP 457 di Ozzano Monferrato. This provincial road needs to be crossed with great care to get onto Strada Bartolina. After reaching Cascine Crosia di Treville after the tough climb, turn right, with the road on the left signposted for Treville. Head along a track on Strada Cascinotto, with the GPX track leading to the bottom of the valley (the Fonte di Treville was once here). Continue and climb to the SP 34, crossing it to come downhill onto a track. Continue to the SP 36, cross it and take a downhill track to a tarmac junction. Head straight along Strada Cascine Franchi here, turning left onto a track after about 400 m. Continue, passing Spinosa Alta and then the village of Castellino near Moncalvo. Another track starts from the end of Strada Bricco, with ups and downs and a section through dense undergrowth all leading to Via Pinifarina in Cascina Spada. Here you have the option of taking the tarmac to the charming Romanesque church of Madonna dei Monti, passing Badoglio’s column then returning to Cascina Spada to continue on the route. It’s a 3,600 m detour all told, but it is an addition worth making. When you get back to Cascina Spada, set off on farm tracks and paths to Cascine Prosio, where the tarmac road reappears. Climb in the direction of the SP 37 and turn onto a track to Cascine Crosia. After 100 m however, turn right onto the track leading to the church of San Grato in Sala Monferrato. Here there’s a giant 'big bench' with a panoramic view of the vineyards. In front of the Sala Monferrato cemetery is a track that you need to take, heading down on your right. It cuts through an expanse of vineyards, passing the bottom of Coppi, a village near Cella Monte. Head down to the Ghenza valley and follow the tracks through Cella Monte and Rosignano Monferrato to reach the castle of Uviglie. Head down a farm track again at Cascina San Pietro to Galetta , Rosignano. Here you can see the way back, over paths and tracks to the Gattola area, passing the lovely Villa Mandoletta which overlooks the hill. Come back to Casale Monferrato on dirt tracks to Francesco Cappa airport. Here there’s a cycle path that takes you back to the town.