Relaxation or adrenalin?

1st day:

Leave Novi Ligure and ride towards Vignole Borbera (Val Borbera). Vignole is the starting point of the mountain bike (MTB) track: it is a hard itinerary along the hills bordering the lower part of the valley. The first part of the itinerary follows the CAI road sign referring to track No. 275. You'll have to face a series of uphill climbs and downhill descents and the crossroads at the end of the descents always lead to the ridge (pay attention to the road signs). Enter a wood where you'll find the Church of the Madonna della Mercede; you will have to face a climb and, once reached the top, enjoy the view of Sezzella village (Valle Spinti). Once left track No. 275, ride downhill to the river bank, then climb towards the villages of Roncoli and Fontana up to the tower of Molo; continue along this way until you reach the Sanctuary of Cà del Bello, then follow the CAI road sign No. 200 up to Passo del Lupo. In the end, go back to Vignole Borbera.
In the afternoon, climb up the valley by MTB until you reach a point where you can descend down the river by canoe, passing through an impressive landscape embedded into the cliff walls, a huge gorge made up of loops and meanders smoothed by the Borbera river: this spot is called "Le Strette". The canoe track implies a medium-difficulty level and is suitable for beginners.
To end the day in a relaxing atmosphere, go swimming at Bolleblu swimming pool and enjoy its water massage.

2nd day:                                                                                                 

In the morning, you'll reach Caldirola (a locality near Fabbrica Curone - Val Curone). Here, you'll find a MTB sports complex also used for the races of the national championship; climbing by chair-lift to Monte Gropà you'll gradually gain altitude (1450 mt. above sea level). From here, you can launch yourself downhill along the specially arranged track.
Dinner at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel for the night.

3rd day:                                                                                                 

Leave Novi Ligure for Passo di Castagnola (Ligurian Apennines). You face a 32 kilometres track along a dirt path including some tricky climbs, as the one from Castagnola to Carrosio. This track partly winds through the woods. From Carrosio, take the downhill paved road to Gavi. Past the village, follow the way to Novi Ligure, then turn right onto the dirt path leading to the Neirone river waterfalls; 1,8 km dirt path eventually ending at the foot of a rocky wall used for free-climbing training.
Return to Novi Ligure for dinner.

4th day:                                                                                                 

Parachute training at Mossi airport of Novi Ligure: you can reach it by bike pedalling along a cycle path; flight instructors and airoplanes available for participants.
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight stay.

5th day:                                                                                                 

Reach Ovada, pedalling along the provincial road: before coming to Ovada, take the crossroads to Tagliolo Monferrato: this village rises on the top of a hill. From there, take the uphill paved path leading to Monte Colma, towards the Apennine and go to Cascina Magnoni. The Strada della Colma itinerary is labelled with the letter "H": here you are in the heart of the Natural Park of Capanne di Marcarolo.
The starting point of the itineraries (503 mt. above sea level), is commonly called "Magnoni" and you can find it at the end of the paved path that, starting near Crocera, between Belforte and Tagliolo Monferrato, leads to Monte Colma. At the end of the paved path you can find the information board.

Tourist offices:

Iat di Novi Ligure
Viale dei Campionissimi, 2
15067 Novi Ligure
Tel. +39 0143 72585
Fax +39 0143 767657
Email: clicca qui >>
Web: www.comune.noviligure.al.it

Il Cuore di Novi
Corso Marengo, 103
15067 Novi Ligure (AL)
Tel. +39 0143 322118
Email: info@ilcuoredinovi.it

Iat di Tortona
corso Alessandria n. 62

presso il Palazzo Municipale

Settore Sviluppo Economico - Ufficio Turismo e Manifestazioni
15057 Tortona (AL)
Tel. 0131 864297
Fax 0131 864276

E-mail: affarigenerali@comune.tortona.al.it

Web: www.vivitortona.it

Iat di Ovada
Via Cairoli, 103
15076 Ovada
Tel. +39 0143 821043
Fax +39 0143 821043
Email:iat@comune.ovada.al.it
Web: www.ovadese.it

Ufficio d'Informazione Turistica
delle Valli Borbera e Spinti
Via Martiri della Benedicta
15060 Vignole Borbera (AL)
Tel. +39 0143 630026
fax +39 0143 630026
Email: utvalborbera@libero.it
Web: www.valborberaespinti.it