This route was set out by the CAI in Asti and Casale Monferrato. The route begins at the church of San Paolo in Asti, opposite which, according to tradition, the bishop St Evasius lived. The old town centre is rich in landmarks and history. You leave it for the hills, some forbidding and wooded, then soft and covered in vineyards. You pass through the pretty villages of Monferrato until Casale Monferrato, with its cathedral of Sant’Evasio. The relics of the town's patron saint lie here in the large chapel dedicated to him.
But who was St Evasius? Tradition states that in 260, he came to Rome, where Pope Dionysius made him a bishop and sent him off to Piedmont as a missionary. He reached Asti in 265 and remained a bishop for 28 years. Here, persecuted by pagans, Evasius was forced to flee with many of his fellow Christians and took refuge in Sedula, now Casale, bringing devotion to and the relics of deacon St Lawrence with him. The latter was martyred in Rome on 10 August 258, in Valerian's persecutions. Evasius was called to Rome two years after his death and quickly built a chapel in his honour.
Evasius died in Casale in front of the church of St Lawrence, at dawn on 1 December 292. He was around 62 years old. His death was ordered by the prefect Atubolo during the persecutions of Diocletian, emperor from 284 to 305. Deacon Proietto and 145 of the faithful were martyred alongside Evasius. According to tradition, Atubolo went blind, placed a handful of earth from Evasius's grave on his eyes and thereby restored his sight. He then converted to Christianity and was baptised with 1,360 people.
Evasius's companion Natale escaped death and became the church's first provost. He looked after the community and died at the age of 91. Sedula went on to become Casale di Sant’Evasio
The feast of St Evasio, celebrated in Casale on 12 November, is held in remembrance of the return of his relics to the city in 1403. They were brought back by commander Facino Cane, having been robbed by the people of Alessandria in the sack of 1215, when they razed the cathedral. They also stole the town's weather cock, of which you can still see a copy on top of Alessandria's town hall.
This mountain bike route has been altered slightly from the original walking trail out of respect for the highway code. For example, you can walk in the opposite direction to traffic on the pavement, but not when you're on a bike. There are also some stretches in the original where bikes cannot pass.
Start in Asti, in Piazza San Paolo, and go through the town centre. Once you reach the end of Strada del Pilone, go along Via Guido Maggiora, Via Ernesto Torchio, Strada Pontesuero and finally Strada Rolassa. Go into the woods and along the paths to Castiglione. Following the cycle route, you'll arrive in Miravalle, a village near Portacomaro where you will find the little church of Sant’Evasio, testimony to the saint's wanderings. Carry on to the Scurzolengo area and through the village of Castagnole Monferrato. Paths, dirt roads and tracks will bring you to Montemagno and on through miles of vineyards of Malvasia to Casorzo. Just before the Cantina Sociale (wine cooperative), turn right onto dirt roads and onto the SP 68 for Vignale Monferrato. Turn left near the farm Cascina Bergantino for the farm stay Ca’ Cima. From here the route is defined by farm tracks through vineyards, leading to the hilltop village of Olivola. The climb is challenging, but the beauty of the place makes it worthwhile. Start going up the SP 42 for Frassinello and turn off just before Cascina Gasparda in the middle of some vineyards. Go up to the Ghenza valley, known for its prized white truffles. Cross the valley and follow the GPX track towards Stevani di Rosignano Monferrato. Just under the village, head towards the cemetery, following the track uphill to Uviglie castle. Follow the path on your right for Cascine San Pietro and you will arrive at the Veglio tower in Terruggia. From here another track will take you to Regione Mandoletta, a road running along the beautiful villa of the same name, and up to the facing slope, which links Casale and the Ghenza valley. Carry on up a stretch with a slope of 20%, paying attention to the brakes, which need to work well at the junction for Pozzo Sant’Evasio, where you can admire the little church dedicated to the saint of the same name.
It's said that during his flight from Asti, bishop Evasius and his followers reached Volusiano, now known as San Giorgio Monferrato, and stopped to rest. Realising their persecutors were hot on their heels, they rushed off again, but the bishop soon realised he had forgotten his staff and sent the priest Natale to get it. Miraculously, the staff, stuck in the earth, had flowered and water had begun to spring forth nearby. It was here in 1670 that a devotee of the saint erected a chapel in his honour, and the village took the name of Pozzo Sant'Evasio.
Get back on your bike for the last stretch of Evasius's Way, to Casale Monferrato. The route ends in front of the cathedral of Sant'Evasio, which is worth a look for its splendid atrium, 12th-century crucifix and the baroque chapel of Sant’Evasio , which holds the silver and crystal urn containing the relics of the patron saint. The Museum of the Tesoro del Duomo (treasure of the cathedral) is also worth a visit.