Between the sacred and the profane

Tour description

Province: Cuneo
Suggested bicycle: mountain bike
Difficulty: medium
Depart: Narzole
End: Vicoforte
Total distance: 44 km
Soil type: asphalt and dirt road
Suggested period: from April to June - From September to October

Highlights and tour details

This route will make you discover the delicious products of the territory but also important churches and their well-known historic sites.

Down the valley, on the road that from Carrù leads to Bra, proceed on the road SS 661 towards Narzole and, past the bridge over the Tanaro, turn left and left again and after the small village of Lequio Tanaro, left again to Piozzo, famous for the pumpkin's festival, then Costamagna, passing on an ascending road and reaching San Grato. After a 1.5 km road don't take the road on the right, but proceed on a dirt road that leads to Carrù. Located at the beginning of the Langa and famous for fair of the 'Fat Ox' (Bue Grasso) and Grapes, it attracts thousands of tourists because of this interesting eno-gastronomic kermes taking place in autumn. In square Perotti you have to take the descent towards the magnificent castle dating back to 1041. Then you will follow the road that leads onto the county road n° 12. You have to cross it from the old railway station and proceed to Ghigliani and Rocca Cigliè. Past the bridge, continue on the ascent that leads to St. Bartolomeo and Ghigliani, then followthe signs to Bastia Mondovi and to the church of San Fiorenzo, a veritable jewel of the Gothic architecture, where you can admire 326 square meters of frescoes representing a Bible of the poor that, through the stories of the Saints, Life and Passion of Christ, of Paradise and dell'Inferno, once educated and comforted the simple people of the rural community and nowadays still enchants its visitors.
The frescoes date back to 24th June 1472. From here, turn right and, at the roundabout, turn left. Once in Pascomonti take the second road on the right and after one kilometre the one on your left (strada dei Ghiglia) that crosses the road Briaglia-Bastia. Ignore the diversion to Mondovì and continue riding uphill passing through Briaglia. You'll come to Vicoforte and, taking Via al Santuario, you'll come to the majestic sanctuary dedicated to the Queen Montis Regalis with the largest elliptical brick dome in the world.

Where to sleep

Hotel Victor
Loc. Chiabotti, 10 cap 12068 – Narzole (Cuneo)
Tel. 0173 776345
Email: hotel@hotelvictor.net
Web: www.hotelvictor.net

Hotel La Cascina di Villa 2
Regione Oltretanaro, 16 - Loc. Gambetti - 12068 – Narzole (Cuneo)
Tel. 0173 776277
Email: info@cascinadivilladue.it
Web: www.cascinadivilladue.it

Hotel Villa San Giulio
Loc. Costangaresca Via Oltre Tanaro, 48 cap 12068 – Narzole (Cuneo)
Tel. 0173 776563
Email: info@hotelvillasangiulio.it
Web: www.hotelvillasangiulio.it

Hotel Palazzo di Mezzo
Via Garibaldi, 4 cap 12061 – Carrù (Cuneo)
Tel. 0173 779306
Email: info@palazzodimezzo.com
Web: www.palazzodimezzo.com

Camping La Cascina s.a.s.
Loc. Pieve, 3 cap 12060 – Bastia Mondovì (Cuneo)
Tel. 0174 60181
Email: info@campinglacascina.it
Web: www.campinglacascina.it

B.B. Soleluna
Via delle Cappelle, 1/b cap 12080 – Vicoforte - Santuario (Cuneo)
Tel. 0174 569055
Email: info@bbsoleluna.it
Web: www.bbsoleluna.it

Hotel Edelweiss
Strada Statale 28, 29 cap 12080 – Vicoforte - Santuario (Cuneo)
Tel. 0174 563192
Email: info@hoteledelweissvicoforte.com
Web: www.hoteledelweissvicoforte.com

Hotel Portici
Piazza Carlo Emanuele, 47 cap 12080 – Vicoforte - Santuario (Cuneo)
Tel. 0174 563980
Email: info@hotelportici.com
Web: www.hotelportici.com

Agri Bed & Breakfast Semediluna
Fraz. San Bernardo, 40 cap 12041 – Bene Vagienna (Cuneo)
Tel. 338 5951297
Email: semediluna@libero.it
Web: www.semediluna.com