La Via dei Calanchi e dei Vigneti

The Via dei Calanchi e dei Vigneti (Road of the Badlands and Vineyards) is a route that winds around the village of Costa Vescovato, exploring this splendid area, where the natural environment and centuries-old cultivated lands blend harmoniously.

When you reach the town hall, turn left onto the gently descending provincial road following the VCV route signs and, after a short stretch, turn right onto the path that descends sharply through the woods until you reach the valley floor, where you must cross the small ford over the Rio Ossona.

Shortly after, it skirts a vineyard and begins to climb the slope among the trees until you reach the ridge, from which you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the badlands below, the typical geological formations that characterize the Apennine range. Pass Mount Lisone and reach a dirt road, where you turn right, continuing to admire the surrounding landscape.

When you reach the hamlet of Sarizzola, you can stop and refill your water supply in the covered area near the church, then continue through the town. Almost at the last houses on the road, take the small road on the right that descends into the greenery and crosses another ford over the Rio Ossona, entering the woods.

Climb the path for a long stretch that winds through the woods with several hairpin bends, until you reach the slope called Val Grande, from which you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views. Then descend until you reach a wide road, where you turn right.

Just before reaching the cemetery, you must leave the road and turn left onto the dirt road that runs alongside the woods and then climbs onto the asphalt, where you turn right. When you reach a rest area, you must turn sharply left, away from the village and onto the dirt road that bends to the right.

You arrive at the Valli Unite farm, a cooperative dedicated to agriculture and livestock farming and which also hosts an agritourism facility, where you can find refreshments. Continue along the paved road and turn right, passing through the hamlet of Montale Celli, characterized by a beautiful church and several farms producing renowned wines.

Follow the paved road and you'll soon return to the Costa Vescovato square, where you started.

• Church of San Martino
• Church of Montale Celli
• Cooperativa Valli Unite
• Farms producing wine, cereals, honey, beer, vegetables, and fruit

• Agriturismo Valli Unite Cascina Montesoro – 15050 Costa Vescovato Tel. 0131 838100
• Cascina San Leto Strada San Leto, 2 - 15050 Costa Vescovato Tel. 348 0310883
• Locanda Costa dei Vigneti Via Montale Celli, 2 – 15050 Costa Vescovato

Tel. 351 9959976

From Tortona, climb the Tortona hills until you reach the quiet village of Costa Vescovato, where you can park in the square between the town hall and the parish church.