Bric del Vento
Every ride begins here, on the windy crest above Soglio. The ridge sits at around 400 m and commands a full panorama: the Monferrato hills rolling east and west, the Asti plain to the north, and — on the best days — an uninterrupted line of Alps from Monte Rosa to the Maritime range. For this longer, more demanding route, start early to avoid midday heat and to reach the nature reserve while the morning light is still filtering through the trees.
Soglio
The first descent drops you into Soglio, a compact agricultural village at the foot of the Bric del Vento ridge. Stone farmhouses, a Romanesque bell tower and the scent of fermenting must in autumn — Soglio embodies the quiet dignity of rural Monferrato. The village is your last chance for a coffee or top-up before the route heads south and east towards Camerano Casasco. Note the old stone arch at the entrance to the village centre — one of the few remaining gates from the medieval fortifications.
Camerano Casasco
Camerano Casasco is the second home village of this rental and one of the most rewarding stops on the route. It sits on a gentle ridge above the Sarmassa valley, with a medieval tower, a 17th-century parish church dedicated to San Secondo, and a small enoteca where you can sample the local Grignolino — a lean, tannic red that is the signature grape of this specific stretch of Monferrato. The village is quiet but proud; look for the old communal wash-house (lavatoio) at the bottom of the main lane, still intact and shaded by tall plane trees.
Riserva Naturale Gorghi
The undisputed highlight of this route. The Riserva Naturale Gorghi is a protected forest sitting in the shallow valley between Camerano Casasco and Monale — a quiet, enclosed woodland world that feels completely removed from the open vineyard ridges on either side. The forest is dominated by oak, hornbeam and poplar, with a dense understorey and a network of soft earth tracks that follow the gentle folds of the terrain. In spring it is carpeted in wildflowers; in summer the canopy keeps it cool and shadowed; in autumn it turns amber and gold. The riding here is slower and more contemplative than the rest of the route — embrace it.
Monale
Emerging from the reserve, the route climbs gently onto the open ridge where Monale sits: a neat, tidy village with a striking hilltop position and a clock tower that has been telling the time since the 17th century. Monale is known locally for its Barbera d'Asti and for a small but excellent farmers' market held on Saturday mornings. The panorama from the village square — with the reserve woodland below and the vine-covered hills stretching to the horizon — is one of the best views on the entire route.
Cortadone
A peaceful hamlet that most cyclists pass through without stopping — but shouldn't. Cortadone sits in a shallow saddle between two vineyard ridges and has a small Baroque chapel (Madonna della Rovere) that is usually open on Sunday mornings. The lane out of Cortadone towards Cortanze is one of the most pleasant stretches of riding on the whole loop: a narrow tarmac road lined with old hazel and oak, rolling gently uphill with almost no traffic. In autumn, hazelnuts litter the road — watch for them in corners.
Cortanze
The medieval castle village that also appears on Route 1, Cortanze is a natural gathering point in this part of Monferrato and deserves a longer stop on this bigger loop. The 12th-century castle complex has been carefully restored and dominates the village from its promontory. From here, the route turns north, dropping steeply into Soglio before the final climb back to the ridge — this section has the most technical descent of the whole day, so check your brakes and grip before heading down.
Soglio → Final Climb
Back in Soglio for the second time, you are 4 km and about 200 m of climbing from the finish. The lane from Soglio back up to Bric del Vento is steady rather than brutal — roughly 5% average gradient — but after 40+ km in the legs it will feel like more. Take it slow, spin a small gear, and enjoy the views opening up on your left as you gain height. The last 500 m eases onto the ridge where you started, and the familiar panorama is the best possible reward.
