The UNESCO cycle route runs through the regions of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato on the Alba-Asti-Casale Monferrato, Asti-Alessandria and Castagnito-Canelli-Nizza Monferrato cycle paths, stretching over 240 km.
More than 40 towns and villages, the largest of them Alba, Asti, Alessandria, Casale Monferrato and Canelli, were included in 2015 in a feasibility study funded by the regional government of Piedmont and co-ordinated by the provincial council of Asti. These routes were designed in collaboration with the Alba, Alessandria, Asti and Casale Monferrato chapters of FIAB (Federazione Italiana Ambiente e Bicicletta), an Italian cycling association. The project has subsequently been approved by 38 towns, by signing an agreement to create the 'UNESCO cycle route'.
In 25 June 2014 the vineyard landscape of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato was recognised as a core part of world heritage, when UNESCO ascribed outstanding value to the cultural landscape of Piedmont. The towns of Asti, Alessandria and Cuneo, in collaboration with Casale Monferrato, conceived the idea of a cycle path connecting the three areas.
The cycle route would bring together the traditions, culture, food and wine of these areas, bringing more value to this beautiful Piedmont area of rural origins and copious natural charms.
Another objective is to integrate the local cycle path network with a main route joining up with the regional cycle route network defined by Bicitalia and Eurovelo, in which the Po cycle route, also known as Ven.To (Venezia-Torino) and included in this guide, stands out.
Here we describe the longest stretch, which starts in Alba and reaches Casale Monferrato, crossing the city of Asti. The route can be followed in both directions, although the section we describe here starts in Alba.
We begin in Alba, in Piazza Pertinace, where you can find parking and stock up on water for the journey. After an optional, but highly recommended, tour of the historic town centre, the route starts off along Corso Canale. Follow the cycle path over the bridge, across the river Tanaro. This is a really busy road, but follow the cycle path sections and you'll leave the chaotic traffic behind, heading towards Strada Mogliasso, in open countryside. Continue along the Tanaro through the village of Vaccheria, until you cross the river again on the SP 3. Keep the river on your left and carry on over minor and dirt roads towards Corso Savona in Asti. Here you cross the river once more and then head towards the town centre. This first section of the route is really quite flat. In fact, the stretch along the river from Alba to Alfieri's hometown of Asti is slightly downhill. Pass through the centre of Asti and from Via Guido Maggiora take Viale Pilone, which leads you north and out of the city. From Via Ernesto Torchio and then Strada Valversa, you will reach the hamlet of Cascina Angelo, near Portacomaro. Go straight on in the direction of the hamlets Cascina Stella and Poggio, where you will find the country church of San Vito, then the hamlet of Roggera and the country church of the Natività. Continue on small tarmac roads until you reach Calliano, where, on Via G. Mazzini, near the church of the Santissimo Nome di Maria, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the Asti area. Continue towards the parish church of San Pietro Asti, from where, following the GPX track, you take a gravel road leading to tarmac, in the town of Penango. From here, head towards Moncalvo along small tarmac roads. Once you're at the top of town, in the square, enjoy the view of the hillsides of Monferrato Casalese from the terrace of the old castle. Head down to the railway station and follow a gravel road to the town's industrial estate, on the border between the provinces of Asti and Alessandria. From here, continue towards Ponzano. As soon as you have passed the railway tracks, turn right onto a road that becomes gravel and leads, through woods and vineyards, towards the village of Madonnina, near Serralunga di Crea. You might feel the strong temptation to climb up to the shrine on the Sacro Monte di Crea, but keep on following the route, leaving the town and heading towards Ozzano Monferrato. As soon as you have gone under the overpass, turn left past the railway on a gravel road. Continue on the gravel road and you will reach the SP 590. Turn right and after 800 m cross the street with extreme care and take a country road to Pontestura. Here, cross the river Po and take the Po Ven.To. cycle route, which goes through woodland, crosses Morano and then continues along the river to Casale Monferrato, where the tour ends at the Paleologi castle in Monferrato.