Alpini Trail Walk

A walk through nature and Alpine tradition

The Alpini Trail Walk is a spring hiking event that draws walkers and mountain enthusiasts to Montechiaro d'Acqui, a small town in the Acqui area overlooking the Val Bormida, in the province of Alessandria, in the heart of the southern Piedmontese Monferrato. The initiative is organized by the Montechiaro d'Acqui Alpini Group in collaboration with the CAI of Acqui Terme, the very organizations that created, marked, and maintain the famous Alpini Trail.

The Trail 577

The route follows the CAI Trail no. 577, a loop of approximately 12 km that can be completed in just over three hours, with moderate hiking difficulty and no particularly challenging sections. Starting from the Alpini headquarters in Montechiaro Piana, next to the church of Sant'Anna (204 m), the path climbs towards the village of Montechiaro Alto, crossing some of the most evocative natural landscapes in the area.

• Badlands (calanchi) and clay slopes typical of the Acqui hilly landscape;
• The gorges and ravines of the Plissone stream, deep incisions with rugged walls;
• Woods rich in ferns, mosses, and damp-loving herbs;
• Panoramic viewpoints such as the Orrido dei Laghi and the rocky outcrop known as the Cappello dell'Alpino.

In spring, the trail offers the abundant and fragrant blooming of broom flowers, while the red-and-white CAI trail markers guide participants along the entire route.

The day of the walk

The event is a non-competitive walk, open to anyone with a minimum of experience and proper equipment: hiking shoes and suitable clothing are mandatory. After the traditional flag-raising ceremony, groups set off early in the morning to tackle the loop at a leisurely pace, accompanied by volunteers from the Alpini Group. A refreshment point is provided halfway through the route, while the finish line is rewarded with a final refreshment featuring local products at the multipurpose facility in Montechiaro Alto.

A local tradition

More than just a simple excursion, the Alpini Trail Walk is a gathering for the community of Montechiaro d'Acqui and hikers from south-eastern Piedmont. It highlights a trail born from the passion and voluntary work of the Alpini, showcases the natural and geological heritage of the Acqui badlands, and renews the bond between the 'penne nere' (Alpini), the CAI, and the town every year. A day dedicated to nature, slow walking, and mountain conviviality.