Loop Hike and Visit to the Abbey of Vezzolano

A journey through nature and Romanesque art in the Asti hills

The Loop Hike and Visit to the Abbey of Vezzolano is a guided excursion that brings hikers and nature lovers through the woods and vineyards of Berzano di San Pietro, a small town in the Province of Asti, in eastern Piedmont, every spring. The event is part of the Walking the Po Hills — Trail Trekking series, promoted within the protected area of the Collina Po, and stems from the collaboration between the Municipality of Berzano di San Pietro and the InCollina association.

The route: 13 km along trail 161

The itinerary is a loop of approximately 13 kilometers that follows trail 161, crossing the typical landscapes of the Asti hills: wooded stretches, rows of vines, and scenic clearings. The chosen period, the second half of April, coincides with the blooming of wild orchids that color the meadows and forest edges, making the hike a valuable opportunity from a naturalistic point of view as well.

The departure is set in Piazza del Municipio in Berzano di San Pietro, with a return scheduled for the early afternoon. Lunch is a packed meal, provided by participants, at the San Pietro panoramic viewpoint.

The Abbey of Santa Maria di Vezzolano

The cultural heart of the day is the guided tour of the Abbey of Santa Maria di Vezzolano, in the nearby territory of Albugnano. First mentioned in a document from 1095 and rebuilt in its current form in the second half of the 12th century, the abbey is one of the most important monuments of Piedmontese Romanesque architecture. Inside, it preserves the famous rood screen (or jubé), a rare structure on small columns that divides the central nave, decorated with a polychrome bas-relief featuring the Patriarchs and the Stories of the Virgin. The gabled facade, made of terracotta and sandstone, displays refined sculptural decoration with a transalpine flair.

The Romanesque hill heritage

The excursion highlights the Romanesque Hill Network, which brings together the numerous medieval churches and chapels of the area. In the afternoon, those interested can also visit the Romanesque church of San Giovanni, also part of the network. The day thus becomes a complete journey that intertwines hiking, botany, and historical-artistic heritage.

Suitable for hikers with a minimum level of fitness, the event is designed for those who want to experience the Asti Po hills at a slow pace, discovering their natural and architectural treasures away from the main tourist flows.