Monleale: Hill Trails, History and Wine

Monleale brings together walking trails, wine traditions and a historic district on a hilltop. Monleale Alto is the older town center; Monleale Basso developed along the provincial road from Tortona to Caldirola. If you are looking for a hotel in Monleale, these contrasting landscapes and the different trails can help you tailor your stay to your interests. The routes offer different walking times, alongside traces of the town’s history and connections to the painter Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo.

Walking Trails and Views

Trail 152, “Il sentiero del Sole,” starts at Piazza Capsoni in Monleale Alto. It is marked with CAI trail sign 152, classified as E (hiking trail) and is 7.59 kilometers long; walking time is about two and a half hours. Along the trail, 388-meter-high Monte Roscella offers views of the surrounding hills and plain. The Sentiero del Sole passes places Pellizza da Volpedo visited during his studies for the creation of the painting “Il Sole.” This lets you combine route planning with an artistic trail closely connected to this landscape.

A second measured hike is trail 154, “Intorno al Poggio di Monleale”: it is also classified as E (hiking trail), is 10.72 kilometers long and has an estimated walking time of about three hours. It starts at Monleale Town Hall and passes through the district of Cusinasco. For comparison, trail 154 is longer and has a slightly longer estimated walking time than trail 152; both have the same classification. Trail 154 is also part of the “I Percorsi Pellizziani” walking trail network, created in connection with places from the painter’s life and work. Trail conditions may change; check them before setting out.

Trail 101a, “Il sentiero della Cerreta e della Montà,” starts at Monleale’s Centro Sportivo and reaches Monleale Alto via the old Montà route. Along the strada vicinale della Cerreta, it runs between vineyards and offers views of the hills and plain. In the hilltop village, the trail passes the Oratorio della Beata Vergine; Pellizza da Volpedo created one of his works near the Oratorio. The Vita Natura trail behind the sports hall also leads to the historic upper district of Monleale Alto. As a longer route stage, the Via del Mare includes the section from Monleale/Volpedo to Serra del Monte.

Local History and Wine Traditions

Monleale Alto stands on a hilltop and is the historic town center; a castle once stood on this site. An oak tree more than 300 years old stands beside the road leading up to Monleale Alto. On the way to the hilltop, you will also reach the 18th-century parish church of Sant’Ambrogio. Its interior is Baroque in style. The Oratorio del Gonfalone offers another connection to the former castle: materials from the demolished castle were used in part to build the Oratorio. The Oratorio is currently not in use.

Wine traditions associated with Monleale include Barbera, Croatina and Freisa. The revival of Derthona Timorasso also began in Monleale. In Monleale Alto, Calici di Stelle has been an established event for several years, featuring tastings of wines and regional products. Dates and programs vary by season; if the festival is important to your travel plans, check the relevant information in advance. Alongside its walking trails and historic sites, Monleale also offers a direct connection to wine and local produce.

Discover more destinations: Novi Ligure, Ottiglio, Mombello Monferrato, Momperone, Odalengo Piccolo, Terranova, Occimiano, Borgo San Martino

For the broader travel guide: Alessandria.