Ultra Trail of the Burnt Castles

A race in the heart of the Monferrato Casalese

The Ultra Trail of the Burnt Castles, known to all as UTCB, is one of the most beloved trail running races in northeastern Piedmont. It takes place in Gabiano, a small town in the Province of Alessandria overlooking the hills of the Monferrato Casalese, and attracts hundreds of mountain running enthusiasts every year. The start and finish lines are located in the heart of the village at the UTCB Village, from which the routes wind their way up along ridges, gravel roads, and paths immersed in the woods of the Valcerrina.

The burnt castles: history turned into a trail

The name of the event is rooted in the medieval history of the region. In the 12th century, the defensive fortifications of this area were set on fire during the campaigns of Frederick Barbarossa: hence the expression "burnt castles" that now gives the trail its name. The longest route connects eleven municipalities of the Monferrato — Camino, Castelletto Merli, Cerrina, Coniolo, Gabiano, Mombello Monferrato, Moncestino, Odalengo Grande, Pontestura, and Solonghello — united by this historical thread. Not all the original manors have survived: some have been transformed into noble residences, others remain as traces in the landscape, but all tell a past that the runner traverses with every step.

Four distances for every level

The UTCB offers a range of tests designed for both experienced ultramarathoners and those looking to get into trail running. The 100 km, with its 3,750 meters of positive elevation gain, is the flagship challenge, also available in a relay format for up to four runners. The 50 km (approx. 2,000 meters of elevation gain) and the 25 km (850 meters of elevation gain) complete the competitive offering, while a non-competitive walk opens the event to families and hikers. The terrain alternates between dirt tracks, forest paths, and scenic stretches through vineyards and hills, during a time of year—late March—when the Monferrato awakens with its first blooms.

A local event

Organized by the ASD Quei Bruciati dei Castelli Bruciati with the support of CSEN, the event is much more than a race: it is a village festival and a showcase for outdoor Monferrato. In the finish area in Gabiano, participants find shower facilities, a bar, and the traditional pasta party, while the small village comes alive to welcome athletes and their companions arriving from all over Italy. An appointment that combines sport, landscape, and historical memory, which has grown edition after edition to become a classic of the Piedmontese trail calendar.