Tipi Percorsi
Bike Monviso is a cycle route suitable for everyone that runs through the territories of Paesana, Sanfront, Rifreddo, Gambasca, Martiniana Po and Revello. The itinerary is divided into 3 loops of about 15 km each that can also be cycled individually. In addition to the help of the BikeSquare app navigator, you can follow the blue arrows with white "Bike Monviso" writing, which will accompany you between gentle climbs and descents on tarmac roads and easy dirt tracks.
What to see in Paesana
Wedged between Monviso and Monte Bracco, Paesana lies at the centre of the Po valley. Divided into two villages, spread over the two banks of the Po and named after the two parishes of Santa Maria and Santa Margherita. Definitely worth a visit are the two parishes just mentioned, the hamlet of Ghisola, which still preserves ancient rustic buildings, the hamlet of Calcinere with its 19th-century church of Sant'Antonio Abate, and Agliasco, a locality with a preferential view of Monviso.
What to see in Sanfront
Leaning against the walls of Monbracco, under a rocky outcrop, stands Balma Boves, a charming hamlet where time seems to have stopped in the Middle Ages and which recalls the villages of the pueblos navajos. In fact, the last inhabitants of this village abandoned it in the 1950s when its location was unsuitable for modern life. Today transformed into an eco-museum, it reminds us of when man, in these valleys, still lived in perfect harmony with nature, knowing how to exploit natural resources without abusing them.
What to see in Revello
The municipality of Revello lies at the foot of Monbracco; there is evidence of a settlement in the area as far back as Roman times. It flourished in the Middle Ages during the marquisate of Ludovico II and Margherita di Foix. Monuments of high artistic and cultural interest date back to that period, such as the Collegiata, a 15th-century church frescoed by a famous Flemish painter, and the Cappella Marchionale, a splendid example of late-Gothic architecture.
in paesana, at pian del re, at pian della regina, in ostana, in sanfront, in revello, in saluzzo, in staffarda, in bagnolo, in barge, in crissolo, at pian mune, in valle bronda, in brondello, in castellar, in rifreddo
This medium-difficulty ebike tour will allow you to discover a side valley of the Po valley, rich in forests and local producers of apples, ramasin and Pelaverga wine. The Bronda valley runs between the territories of Paesana and Saluzzo, starting from the municipality of Castellar and climbing up the valley to the Colletta di Brondello where it connects with the Varaita valley.
The ring consists of an asphalt part that climbs the valley as far as Isasca and an optional return route, recommended only for expert cyclists with at least 50% ebike charge and suitable bikes, on dirt tracks that are as beautiful as they are challenging.
The road winds along a hilly landscape covered with lush vegetation of beech, chestnut and oak trees in the upper part and orchards and vineyards in the lower part. The route, as well as the road, runs up the Bronda stream, from which the valley takes its name. The conformation of the valley allows for a cool and breezy climate in summer and mild in winter, ideal for cycling throughout the year and for the development of a flourishing agriculture of fruit trees and vineyards.
The Ramasins
Pedalling along the roads in the valley you will pass typical ramasin or darmasin orchards, for the non-Piedmontese these are small violet plums with a distinctive flavour, try it to believe it! The origin of the name refers to the territory where this plant comes from, the city of Damascus in Syria. It is a very old cultivation that has found the perfect habitat in the hills of the Bronda valley and has earned this product the title of Slow Food Presidium.
The Pelaverga
Another important local product is pelaverga, a ruby red wine with raspberry and cherry aromas. This vine finds an excellent environment in the microclimate of the Bronda valley and its origin is lost in the mists of time: the Romans already cultivated this vine as it was thought to have aphrodisiac powers. Its diffusion in these areas dates back to 1500 when the Marchioness of Saluzzo donated a bottle of Pelaverga to Pope Julius II and he was enthusiastic about it, encouraging its cultivation.
in paesana, at pian del re, at pian della regina, in ostana, in sanfront, in revello, in saluzzo, in staffarda, in bagnolo, in barge, in crissolo, at pian mune, in valle bronda, in brondello, in castellar, in rifreddo
With this ebike route you can reach the source of Italy's longest river, the Po, where its water gushes out crystal clear.
The route takes you up the Po valley along the provincial road and then turns off and continues halfway up a secondary road that connects a series of small hamlets nestling in the woods. There you can also take the opportunity to buy typical products and refresh yourself during the ascent. The route then continues towards Crissolo and from there, along the road opened in the summer months, you will reach Pian della Regina and Pian del Re. To reach the source of the Po, it is necessary to tackle an ascent with not a small difference in altitude. The advantage is that the return will be all downhill, but we can assure you that it is definitely worth it.
Talking about what to see along this route would in any case be reductive, you will reach the heart of the Monviso Regional Park, recognised by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. Along the 20 km that separate Paesana from Pian del Re you will see how the vegetation changes from dense chestnut and beech forests to alpine grassland.
The Pian del Re is one of the unmissable stops during a visit to the Saluzzo area, in search of refreshment from the summer heat in an enchanting place.
in paesana, at pian del re, at pian della regina, in ostana, in sanfront, in revello, in saluzzo, in staffarda, in bagnolo, in barge, in crissolo, at pian mune, in valle bronda, in brondello, in castellar, in rifreddo
This ebike route runs between ancient hamlets and breathtaking mountain landscapes at the foot of the 'King of Stone', Monviso.
This itinerary is divided into two loops that can be cycled together or separately.
The first is simpler and climbs the slope towards Pian Munè, passing through the hamlets of Croesio, Borghini, Salis and Rocciaia, along secondary dirt roads and then descending to Paesana along the tarmac road.
The second loop, recommended for experienced cyclists, starts from Pian Munè and reaches Mount Turnour at an altitude of 1,554 metres. It then descends along well-maintained but challenging mountain dirt roads to the villages of Serre and Oncino and from there, via the provincial road, to Paesana.
In this itinerary, thanks to the aid of e-bikes, you can reach one of the most beautiful panoramic balconies towards the plains of Turin and Cuneo, Pian Munè. It is the ideal place for a quiet break away from the worries of the city after a pleasant ride that nonetheless has quite a bit of elevation gain. From there, our advice is to take the easy dirt road to Monte Turnour and continue a few hundred metres until Monviso appears in all its majesty, with its 3841 metres of altitude.
The descent from Pian Munè towards the hamlets of Serre and Oncino passes from the high-altitude meadows full of flowers in spring to the beech and chestnut woods surrounding the two hamlets.
in paesana, at pian del re, at pian della regina, in ostana, in sanfront, in revello, in saluzzo, in staffarda, in bagnolo, in barge, in crissolo, at pian mune, in valle bronda, in brondello, in castellar, in rifreddo
This pleasant and flat bike tour will take you to discover Staffarda Abbey by guiding you on a pleasant loop that winds along the slopes of Monbracco. The loop passes through the municipalities of Paesana, Barge, Martiniana Po and Sanfront, leading you to discover the historical and gastronomic wealth of this area.
What to see in Barge
The town of Barge has a very ancient history, as testified by the rock engravings found on the summit of Monte Bracco (often shortened to Monbracco). It is from the 1400s that Barge began a flourishing development mainly thanks to the quarrying industry of construction rocks from the slopes of Monbracco. Even Leonardo Da Vinci in one of his manuscripts mentions this mountain, describing it as a site for the production of a "stone as white as Carrara marble and as hard as porphyry", hence the nickname Montagna di Leonardo (Leonardo's Mountain). Barge can also boast many fine monuments and churches, such as the parish church of San Giovanni Battista, the ruins of the Lower Castle and the medieval streets of the old town centre.
What to see in Staffarda
Pedalling along secondary roads immersed in green fields, you reach the abbey of Santa Maria di Staffarda. Founded in the early 12th century by the Order of Cistercian monks on land donated by Marquis Manfredo I of Saluzzo. The abbey consists of several buildings including an impressive Romanesque/Gothic cloister, a guesthouse and a covered market. Since the Middle Ages, it has been an important centre for trade, also favoured by the products obtained from the reclamation of the surrounding farmland desired by the monks. In 1690, it suffered serious damage following the battle between the Savoy and French who were fighting over the territory of Saluzzo. It was then rebuilt in the first decades of the 18th century, altering its typical Gothic forms.
What to see in Sanfront
Leaning against the walls of Monbracco, under a rocky outcrop, stands Balma Boves, a charming hamlet where time seems to have stopped in the Middle Ages and which recalls the villages of the pueblos navajos. In fact, the last inhabitants of this village abandoned it in the 1950s when its location was unsuitable for modern life. Today, transformed into an eco-museum, it reminds us of when man, in these valleys, still lived in perfect harmony with nature, knowing how to exploit natural resources without abusing them.
in paesana, at pian del re, at pian della regina, in ostana, in sanfront, in revello, in saluzzo, in staffarda, in bagnolo, in barge, in crissolo, at pian mune, in valle bronda, in brondello, in castellar, in rifreddo
Questo percorso permette di raggiungere la Borgata-museo di Balma Boves da Paesana, attraverso il nuovo percorso ciclabile misto asfalto/sterrato che si sviluppa in buona parte lungo la nuova pista ciclabile che collega Paesana a Sanfront.
Una Volta raggiunta La Frazione Rocchetta di Sanfront si sale fino alle Case Forano (Bric Bardun) dove è possibile ricoverare le biciclette e proseguire a piedi (5 minuti) fino alla borgata-museo di Balma Boves.
Il rientro fino a Rocchetta si svolge lungo lo stesso percorso di salita. Una volta rientrati alla Frazione Rocchetta si sale fino alla piazza della Chiesa e poi si prosegue in direzione di Paesana, salendo sul Mombracetto tra coltivazioni di mirtilli e castagni secolari. Il sentiero prosegue in direzione di Paesana su single track e, oltrepassato un ponte con passerelle in legno (in attesa di restauro) si raggiunge la strada che rientra a Paesana, seguendo le indicazioni di colore blu “Bike Monviso”.
in paesana, at pian del re, at pian della regina, in ostana, in sanfront, in revello, in saluzzo, in staffarda, in bagnolo, in barge, in crissolo, at pian mune, in valle bronda, in brondello, in castellar, in rifreddo
Routes Cicloturismo Monviso