Ferrere: Trails, Landscape and History

Ferrere is best discovered through its trails and landscape. Hiking and nature go hand in hand with a long history: the Rete Sentieristica Ferrerese has a green main route with four variants; the church, Castelrosso, and the connection to Rita Levi Montalcini complete the picture. When planning, you can take into account both the character of the trails and the history of the town.

Hiking on the trail network

The green trail forms the main route of the Rete Sentieristica Ferrerese. It is joined by two easier and two more challenging variants. This layout gives you an initial overview of the trail network. The trails in Ferrere are open to everyone who wants to use them on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback. Check local route conditions before setting out.

The “Percorso del miele” is a 3.5-kilometer walk through the countryside. Along the way, you can discover beehives and the world of bees. Its length and focus on bees give this walk a clear theme. If you are interested in bees, this is a practical point to consider when planning.

Landscape and viewpoint

Ferrere’s landscape includes valleys and both gentle and steep hills. Woodlands alternate with fields and valley floors. A notable landmark is the Belvedere artistico di San Secondo, a viewpoint featuring a sculpture by Sergio Omedé. The landscape viewed from here evokes the Po Sea of three million years ago. The viewpoint thus brings together a work of art and a view of the area’s distinctive geological interpretation.

History and buildings

Ferrere appears in records in 1034 under its name at the time, “Ferraria.” In 1100, the Bishop of Asti assigned Ferrere to the noble Garretti family, making them the lords of Ferrere. These two dates mark distinct early milestones in the town’s history.

The parish church of Ferrere is dedicated to San Secondo. After a flood, it was rebuilt and consecrated in 1642. Castelrosso was built later, between 1780 and 1785, as a castle-shaped villa without fortifications. Its design therefore differs from that of a fortress: Castelrosso was built as a villa, not as a fortified castle.

Rita Levi Montalcini is also connected with Ferrere. She spent much of her youth as a guest of her uncle in the town. After disasters, many residents also moved to the surrounding hills and settled there permanently. As a result, Ferrere permanently became a collection of scattered settlements. The town’s history thus encompasses buildings and personal connections as well as the development of its settlement pattern.

Festivities and local products

The celebrations of Sant’Agostino include an outdoor Mass at Castelrosso every Sunday. Ferrere Miele takes place on the third Sunday in October. The stalls offer honey, cheese, wine, and local products. If you would like to plan your trip around Ferrere Miele, check the details for the relevant year’s event.

Ferrere offers several points of interest when planning a stay: you can explore the layout of the trail network, plan the 3.5-kilometer walk focused on bees, or learn about the landscape and local history. The festivities and Ferrere Miele add to these themes on specific occasions throughout the year.

Discover more destinations: Costigliole Dʼasti, Cioccaro, Gorra, Monale, Albugnano, Migliandolo Di Portacomaro, Capriglio, Aramengo.

For the main travel overview: Asti.