From Montà to Pocapaglia, from Cisterna d’Asti to Corneliano, you come across a unique territory: villages perched on cliffs hundreds of meters deep; dry microclimates living alongside extremely humid ones; traces of rural life that survive the temptations of modernity. All this is called Ecomuseo delle Rocche del Roero, a true open-air museum, consisting of eight municipalities founded after the year one thousand on the fault of the so-called Rocche, spectacular pinnacles of sandy nature, with fascinating and bizarre shapes, born from a process of geological erosion, which, in ancient times, characterized this central part of Roero.
Despite its wild profile, the Ecomuseo is a very accessible territory, also recommended for families with children for walks on foot, mountain biking or horseback riding along the ancient farmers’ paths; with visits to farms that raise bees and produce honey; to ancient trees, such as the Castagna Granda, a monumental chestnut tree 400 years old, perhaps the oldest in Europe, which christens a magnificent trail starting from Monteu Roero.
To fruit and vegetable farms, renowned for the production of hazelnuts, chestnuts, grapes and other seasonal fruits. The headquarters of the Ecomuseo of the Rocche del Roero is in Monta’, in Piazza Vittorio Veneto 27, tel. 0173.976181, where you can book excursions and guided tours.
Another place not to be missed is the Parco Forestale del Roero, in the municipality of Sommariva Perno, reachable via the Alba-Torino state road. It is a forest of over one hundred hectares, of which almost a third is covered by centuries-old trees, while the rest is a mosaic of downy oaks, wild cherries, hornbeams, maples, poplars, birches, alders. A place to relax body and mind, equipped with rest and picnic areas; a gym-sports path, a football field, and a playground for the little ones.
Information: Parco Forestale del Roero, Cascina del Mago locality, Sommariva Perno, Piazza IV Novembre 6/3, tel. 0172.46637
