Pecetto di Valenza is a small village in the province of Alessandria, about 5 km from the city of Valenza. It is largely agricultural but in recent years it has become home to numerous goldsmith workshops. The city rises up at the extreme eastern border of Monferrato Casalese on a hilltop spur that slopes towards the right bank of the Po River, where just a little further downstream the Tanaro River flows into it. The words “di Valenza” were added to the name of the village so that it would not be confused with Pecetto Torinese. Pecetto di Valenza is an ancient village that sits at the foot of its beloved Rocca, which offers a great vantage point that stretches from the valley below all the way to the Alps.
Bric Montariolo is a low-rising landform east of the village that is characterised by a high level of biodiversity. It was recognised by the Piedmont Region as a Natural Reserve in 2012.
The Reserve is home to dozens of orchid species, some of which are very rare, which is why the management body of the protected areas of the Po of Vercelli-Alessandria has collaborated with the Municipality of Pecetto di Valenza to organise the annual Festival of the Wild Orchids every second Sunday in April since 2014. The event includes a walk on the ring-route around Bric Montariolo with an experienced guide. During the route, there are several opportunities to stop and observe the wild orchids and their extraordinary biological traits.
At Bric Montalbano south of the village, the same naturalistic characteristics are present, giving life to rich flora among the arid meadows, glades and thickets, including the wild orchids.
Another important village event is the Trofeo XC Gold Race mountain bike competition that has taken place every year since 2009 at the MTB school field run by the La Fenice MTB association in collaboration with the municipality of Pecetto di Valenza. The Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) competitions are geared towards all the Federation categories of cyclists and the CONI-recognised sports organisations. Many cyclists, young and not-so-young, from all parts of Piedmont and many neighbouring regions, participate every year. The Prova XC Piemonte Cup race has been going on since 2015 and the Prova Piemonte Young MTB since 2016.
The route starts in Pecetto di Valenza at the Municipal Sports Centre in Regione Fontanino 21, the headquarters of the Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica La Fenice MTB.
Take the path called Collegamento alto (Upper Connection) to Rullò at the MTB Race Field, then enter the hamlet of Gasparini. You can also cycle on the Race Field paths, which have names that make it easy for MTB riders to understand what they are like: Snake, Ordeal, Wall.
Turn left onto the SP 70 for a few metres then take Strada Redini. After crossing Regione Valloni, go right onto the track. This is where a long stretch begins. It goes past Bric Fea then follows along Strada della Guamera to arrive in Pian della Madonna where it is possible to get a view of San Zeno di Montecastello, the medieval hamlet where the wayfarers were obligated to stop as they travelled the Strada della Serra.
The Strada della Serra was one of the Roman routes taken by pilgrims and small-scale traders. As a juncture between the Cammini di Cresta ridge roads and Liguria's Salt Road, the Strada della Serra joined the Monferrato hills with the French Dauphiné by way of the Susa Valley.
A highly efficient ferry boat service, in operation until 1970, enabled travellers to cross the Tanaro River at the nearby village of Montecastello. In Madonna di San Zeno - a hamlet 2 km north of Montecastello - there is still a little church dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, which bears the name Santa Maria of the Valley due to the beauty of the location.
Continue your bicycle journey towards Bric di Montalbano, an interesting landmark that dominates the Valley and leads to the Tanaro River. From the highest point of the route, although it is not very high at all, take the old road to Pecetto then go on the Strada della Serra, passing the La Collina swimming pools in Valle San Bartolomeo. Your return route begins on the tarmac stretch of Strada Molina then continues on the left on the track that takes you back again to Strada Molina. Take this until you reach Strada Serra delle Redini where you turn right. This will take you to the Bric di Montariolo Natural Reserve where you can enjoy the rare wild orchid species that grow in the woods there. After about 1,500 m, as you come out of the wood, turn left then left again onto Strada Redini. From here, take the first road on the right towards the Church of Santa Maria e Remigio in Pecetto. At the church, turn left to return to the sports field where you began this short route.