Due Castelli Urban Trail & Two Castles Walk

A race between two castles in the Saluzzo area

The Due Castelli Urban Trail & Two Castles Walk is a spring running event held in Manta, a town in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont. The concept behind the event is simple yet captivating: to unite two of the most significant historic residences in the Saluzzo area, the Castello della Manta and the Castello di Verzuolo, via a route that traverses parks, vineyards, and hilly paths.

The race kicks off from Piazza del Popolo in the heart of Manta, right in front of the Town Hall. From there, the two routes wind toward the hills separating Manta from Verzuolo, alternating between urban stretches, dirt roads, and panoramic passages through the grounds of these historic estates.

Two formats for two types of participants

• Due Castelli Urban Trail — the competitive race, approximately 14 km long with 500 meters of elevation gain, reserved for FIDAL, Runcard, and EPS members. It is a challenging course that tests trail runners on a varied and technical track.
• Two Castles Walk — the 8 km non-competitive fun run, open to everyone, designed for families and walkers who want to explore the area without the pressure of a stopwatch.

Castello della Manta and Castello di Verzuolo

The Castello della Manta is one of the most famous properties managed by the FAI (National Trust of Italy): its Baronial Hall houses an extraordinary cycle of late-Gothic frescoes depicting the Nine Worthies and Nine Heroines, a masterpiece of early 15th-century painting in Northern Italy. The Castello di Verzuolo, overlooking the Saluzzo plains, completes the itinerary, offering participants views and access to parklands that are usually closed to the public. The race thus becomes an opportunity to showcase the historical and landscape heritage of these two villages.

Sport and territory combined

The event is the result of a collaboration between the organizers and the Podistica Valle Varaita association, with the support of the municipalities of Manta and Verzuolo. The first edition, held in April 2026, attracted over a thousand participants across both the race and the walk, highlighting the strong bond between the Cuneo running community and this corner of Piedmont. All registered participants receive the traditional runner's lunch, while tours of the castles are available separately.

A staple of the Piedmontese trail calendar

Included in the regional calendar, the Due Castelli Urban Trail combines the competitive spirit of the FIDAL Piedmont urban trail championship with the convivial atmosphere of the open walk. It is an event that tells the story of the Saluzzo area through its hills, its castles, and a passion for running.