Walking the Monferrato - Grazzano Badoglio Stage

Walking the Monferrato in Grazzano Badoglio

Walking the Monferrato is a historic series of walks that every year guides hikers and curious visitors to discover the hills of the Monferrato, a wine-growing landscape recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The series is promoted by the Monferrato municipalities together with the Special Reserve of the Sacro Monte di Crea, in collaboration with the Asti and Casale Monferrato sections of the CAI (Italian Alpine Club) and under the patronage of the newspaper Il Monferrato. The Grazzano Badoglio stage, in a small town in the Province of Asti, Piedmont, is one of the most beloved events in the spring calendar.

The Madonna dei Monti Loop

The route proposed in Grazzano Badoglio is the Madonna dei Monti loop, a tourist-difficulty (T) circular trail that is short and suitable for everyone, lasting about two hours. It starts from Piazza Cotti, in the town center, heading towards Moncalvo: the path climbs gently towards the Madonna dei Monti hill through the characteristic geometric vineyards that define these hills.

• Panoramic stop at the Parco della Stele, overlooking the Monferrato landscape;
• Passage by the Banda Lenti Monument, erected in memory of those who fell during the War of Liberation;
• Descent along the Strada dell'Oliva and the provincial road to Ottiglio;
• Stop at the 'Bula d'al Roat' fountain before returning to Piazza Cotti.

The walk crosses vineyards, hamlets, woods, and farmland, and is led by a professional guide who explains the history and characteristics of the area to participants.

Culture and Tradition

The walk is also an opportunity to discover the historical and artistic heritage of Grazzano Badoglio. For the occasion, the Badoglio Museum, dedicated to Marshal Pietro Badoglio who hailed from the town, and the parish cloister, which houses the restored tomb of Aleramo, the legendary progenitor of the Aleramici dynasty and the Monferrato, remain open to the public. At the end of the walk, the Pro Loco of Grazzano Badoglio distributes a 'walker's bag' to all participants, containing a sandwich and a bottle of water.

An Event in the Asti Monferrato

Part of the regional series that touches numerous villages in the Monferrato between Asti and Alessandria, the Grazzano Badoglio stage combines gentle hiking, food and wine, and historical memory. It is an event designed for families, hikers, and local enthusiasts who want to experience the Monferrato at a slow pace, far from the main tourist flows.