A 40-km loop in the hills around Novi Ligure, among the vineyards of Gavi and            Dolcetto.

From the train station we take Via Girardengo, crossing the center of Novi; at the end of the street, we turn right into via Paolo da Novi and cross at the traffic lights leaving the town in the direction of Gavi. We go uphill for about one kilometer on a narrow and fairly busy road; we leave it, turning left in the direction of Monterotondo. After 1.5km  (km 3) we turn left into strada Castellone, a scenic route between estates and vineyards in the direction of Serravalle Scrivia. At the fork (km.6.5), we turn left in the direction of Monterotondo, go down through the woods, passing the LA RAIA estate, and then up a steep uphill for about one kilometer to Monterotondo (km 10 - 315m above sea level), home to some famous wineries. We continue for Gavi and after three kilometers of hills we arrive on the level, catching sight of the imposing Fort up on the right, until we cross the main road from Serravalle to Gavi (km 13). We turn right and enter Gavi. In addition to the Fort, the Romanesque church of San Giacomo and the medieval gate are well worth visiting. We head out in the direction of San Cristoforo; turning left on the bridge over the Lemme, where up above we can catch a glimpse of the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Guardia.

We descend gently down the valley and then begin the climb which in 1.5 km and with a 100m difference in vertical meters takes us to San Cristoforo (km 19 - 300m above sea level). Before the end of the village we turn right in the direction of Novi Ligure and then immediately left into the lovely strada del Rondanino, on the slopes between vineyards for about 5 km until we reach the road to Francavilla. We turn right and a there is a rapid descent;  passing the Lemme, we enter Francavilla Bisio and take the road leading up to the Castle which after three kilometers brings us to Tassarolo (km 30). We go back to the Church of San Defendente and turn right in the direction of Pasturana, into a dirt road that runs alongside the golf course leading to the road which, after two bends, goes up to the village, which preserves evidence of the Napoleonic era. On leaving the village, in the direction of Novi, we stop at the ancient Church of San Martino (7th century), to drink from the spring (km 35). We continue on the provincial road and within three kilometers we are back in Novi Ligure. A total of about 40 km.

By Claudio Pasero and Daniela Pestarino

Municipality of Gavi
Municipality of Novi Ligure
On the Sweet Lands of Novi 
Romanesque church of San Giacomo in Gavi 
Municipality of Tassarolo 
Church of San Martino in Pasturana