This is called Route 45 in homage to the 45th parallel north, which runs through a fair bit of this hilly zone of Monferrato, crossing it at no fewer than six different points and repeatedly bringing you exactly halfway between the North Pole and the Equator on your cycling holiday. This “daisy” route, comprising loops returning to the same starting point, is a balanced succession of quick hilly ups and downs, with plenty of cultural sites, natural beauties and evocative views along the way.
The route starts at one of the oldest buildings in San Salvatore, Palazzo Carmagnola, in the square of the same name. Go uphill briefly on Via Prevignanoand pass by the 15th-century parish church of San Martino. Carrying on along the route, you will pass the 16th-century church of San Siro on your right. About 700 m from the start, turn left on Via Camurati. Near Villa Lingua, the general staff headquarters during the Second Italian War of Independence, you begin a gravel descent to the minor road between San Salvatore and Alessandria, the lowest point on the route.
After about 2 km of gravel hill paths, you enter the town and get onto the road leading to the shrine of the Madonna del Pozzo, a peaceful oasis surrounded by greenery. Follow the route uphill towards the village of Frescondino, stopping at the highest point on the route to admire the valley stretching all the way to the river Po. Go down to the village, turning left before the bottom of the hill towards the hamlet of Valparolo. Here is the first of the six points on the 45th parallel.
From Valparolo, take a tarmac descent to the provincial road to Valenza, turning right and then left after 200 m to reach the hamlet of Fosseto. After about 400 m you will come to another uphill gravel track. At the sign for the aqueduct, you cross the 45th parallel once more.
The gravel track becomes tarmac and brings you back to Piazza Carmagnola in San Salvatore. Take Via Panza towards Casale Monferrato, then turn left on Via Suanno, and go downhill and right at the bottom. Here there is a long stretch of uphill road waiting for you, at the end of which is Via Frascarolo, the road linking San Salvatore Monferrato and Lu. Once you reach the stop sign, turn left towards Lu Monferrato (there is a votive chapel to the right of the sign).
The next 500 m in the direction of Lu Monferrato run along the ridge of the hill, the very watershed between the plain of Alessandria and the hills of Monferrato Casalese. On the first dirt road on your right you will see directions to the farms Cascine Acquaino and Cascina Scubiano. The way downhill to them has a view of the E25, which enters a tunnel here and runs right under our route. Just before the farm on your left, you will cross the 45th parallel for the third time. Once you reach the village of Barzattini, turn right and go under the motorway to arrive in Valdolenga, a scattered hamlet with a very rural character. Go back uphill and once you are out of the hamlet, you will cross the 45th parallel again.
Once you are at the top of the hill, turn left and head back to San Salvatore Monferrato. At the first stop sign, note the 15th-century hospital of Santa Croce. Turn left towards Casale Monferrato and right towards Via Sottotorre. You will reach the park around the 15th-century Paleologi tower, with its distinctive pear-shaped hole. After filling up your water bottle, take the tarmac road Via Alla Torre and, at the bottom of the hill, turn left on Strada Molinara, which quickly becomes a track. The route carries straight on for 300 m from the beginning of Strada Molinara and crosses the 45th parallel for the fifth time.  On your left near this point, you will pass a well-known local farm stay. Take the gravel road downhill on your right. This last stretch of track and dirt road leads to tarmac, where you turn left to Fosseto, where you will find the English garden at Villa Genova. Take another left and, after 600 m, follow the road signs for San Salvatore Monferrato, the town where you will make a final stop before crossing the 45th parallel for the last time.