Anello di Bandita

The Bandita ring is a circular route starting and finishing in that village, a hamlet of Cassinelle, and is marked with CAI trail sign 561.

From the Bandita cemetery square (531 m), head towards Borgo Mazzacani, follow the paved road for a kilometer, then take the path on the right that passes through a small wood and some meadows (where there is a fountain for water supplies), then return to the paved road, where you must turn right.

After a stop at the giant bench (Big Bench No. 135), which offers a splendid panoramic view, continue along the gravel road, pass two houses, and reach a crossroads where you must turn left onto the mule track that climbs up the slopes of Monte Ratto. Once around the hill, continue down the narrow road and shortly after turn left onto the path that descends to the gravel road.

You then turn right, passing near the beautiful hamlet of San Luca di Molare (where the local Pro Loco tourist office is located and can offer you accommodations). After a short stretch on the road, turn right, entering the woods and descending until you reach the valley floor where the Rio Meri (353 m) flows in a delightful setting.

Cross the stream (be careful in rainy periods) and then begin the climb up the slope until you reach the ruins of the Franchino farmhouse. Here, if you turn right, you can take a detour that allows you to return more easily. If you want to complete the loop, continue straight.

Shortly afterward, you'll come to a fork where you should keep right; enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding area and then descend onto a mule track with a rough surface towards the wild hamlet of Pian dei Persi.

Climb the slopes of Poggio and continue along the panoramic ridge road, passing near Monte Fonegrone (791 m). Shortly afterward, you'll come to a fork where you should continue straight along the ridge, reaching the fork that leads to the Tiole farmhouse. Here, keep right and continue through clearings and wooded areas until you turn right onto the path through the vegetation.

Continue following the path halfway up the hill that circles Bric dei Gorrei, admire the panoramic views of the nearby wild landscape, and come across the ruins of one of the old boundaries of the hunting reserve that gave the area its name: Bandita. Shortly after, you enter a chestnut forest in the area known as "Sberzulera."

Arriving on a mule track, turn left and shortly after, cross the Rio Meri again, then turn right; Cross a small paved road and descend into the woods until you turn right onto the paved road for about a kilometer.

Follow the trail through the vegetation on the right, cross the small bridge over the stream, and climb back up to the paved road, where you turn left to return to the hamlet of Bandita and complete the long circular route.

- Bandita, a hamlet of Cassinelle

- Big Bench No. 135

- San Luca, a hamlet of Molare

- Cascina Tiole, headquarters of the Apennine Park

- Bar restaurant “Da Ponci” via Costalunga, 1 15070 Bandita di Cassinelle Tel. 0143 1870335

- Bar "Il Ritrovo" via Costalunga, 56 15070 Bandita di Cassinelle Tel. 0143 842123

- Food "La Bottega di Lalo" via Costalunga, 18 15070 Bandita di Cassinelle Tel. 389 5919211

- Pro Loco Frazione San Luca 15074 Molare Tel. 346 0157126

From Ovada or Acqui Terme, take the SS456 road to Molare; from there, follow the SP205 provincial road until you reach Cassinelle. In town, take the road between the schools and the church, which leads to the hamlet of Bandita in a few kilometers.