From Montà to Pocapaglia, from Cisterna d’Asti to Corneliano, one encounters a unique territory: little villages perched on ravines hundreds of meters deep; dry microclimates that coexist alongside others that are extremely humid; testimonies of peasant life that survive the temptations of modernity. All this is called the Ecomuseum of the Rocche del Roero, a true open-air museum, made up of eight municipalities founded after the year one thousand on the fault of the so-called Rocche, spectacular sandy spires, with fascinating and bizarre shapes, originated by a geological erosion process, which, in ancient times, characterized this central portion of Roero.
Despite its wild profile, the Ecomuseum is a very accessible territory, also recommended for families with children for walks on foot, mountain biking, or horseback riding on the ancient paths of the farmers; with visits to farms that raise bees and produce honey; to centuries-old trees, such as the Castagna Granda, a monumental chestnut tree 400 years old, perhaps the oldest in Europe, which baptizes 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 Ecomuseum of the Rocche del Roero is in Monta’, in Piazza Vittorio Veneto 27, tel. 0173.976181, where excursions and guided tours can be booked.
Another place not to be missed is the Roero Forest Park, in the municipality of Sommariva Perno, reachable via the state road Alba-Torino. It is a forest of over one hundred hectares, of which almost a third is covered with centuries-old trees, while the rest is a mosaic of oaks, wild cherries, hornbeams, maples, poplars, birches, and alders. A place to relax body and mind, equipped with rest and picnic areas; a gym-sports path, a soccer field, and a playground for the little ones.
Information: Roero Forest Park, locality Cascina del Mago, Sommariva Perno, Piazza IV Novembre 6/3, tel. 0172.46637
