Grande Traversata delle Langhe in mountain bike - Leg 4: Prunetto - Gottasecca

Galleria foto
Cicloescursionismo
no
Lenght
7.50 km
Tempo
38 minutes
Tappa
Max altitude
830 m
Ascent elevation gain
306 m
Descent elevation loss
327 m
Difficulty
Challenging
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Informazioni

Punto di partenza

Prunetto
Strada Provinciale SP53
12077 Prunetto CN
Italy

Altitude
670 m

Punto di arrivo

Gottasecca
Via Ravina
12070 Gottasecca CN
Italy

Arrival altitude
695 m

Come arrivare

Access

By car, motorways:
A6 – Torino Savona, Marene or Carmagnola exit
A21 – Torino Piacenza, Asti Est exit
A33 – Asti Cuneo, Alba exit

By plane:
Milano Malpensa and Linate – www.sea-aeroportimilano.it
Torino Caselle – www.aeroportoditorino.it
Cuneo Levaldigi – www.aeroporto.cuneo.it

By train:
Ferrovie dello Stato: www.trenitalia.com

Public transport access
Yes

Http://Www.grandabus.it/Tpl_orari.asp

Descrizione

Through the heart of the Uzzone Valley and its beech forests, the last survivor of these highlands, on a journey to discover just how much nature has been protected at these climes.

The starting point is the village of Prunetto, its castle rising straight up from the hilltop below, spared by an earthquake that once swallowed up half the village, leaving it teetering at the edge of the abyss. One can almost see the hand of God seeking to save both the castle and the adjacent Madonna del Carmine Sanctuary, an extraordinary example of 12th century architecture that has been expanded multiple times over the centuries and which, on its own, makes a trip up here worth the effort. Inside the sanctuary, you will find remarkable 15th century frescoes by Segurano Cigna of Mondovì and the intriguing remains of previous works that are among the oldest in all the valley.

The sanctuary’s grounds are the perfect complement to the ominous 13th century castle, which has maintained all its original form, with the exception of its moat. Its impressive great tower at one corner, the drawbridge entrance, the palacium connected to the entrance to the tower by parapets and machicolations, the inner courtyard and the late-15th century mullioned windows, with their equilateral pointed arches, embellish the southern and western façades.

From this medieval village, you will head up along the road that rises up from the intersection in front of the church and follow the signs for Pian Ronchetto, Bosco and Piani. Turn left at the first crossroads, immediately after the parking lot for a trattoria. Continue up gradually though the farmhouses and then take an ample curve to the left through a number of sections of woodlands and on to the intersection at Piani. Turn right and head up to the last farm. Enter the courtyard, turn right and climb up to the crest of the hill, where you will find a small, traditional structure known as a ciabòt, where you can enjoy the view of both the Prunetto castle and all of the Uzzone Valley.

The itinerary then takes you into the Bosco dei Faggi (literally “beech forest”), near a small parking area. At the first fork on the lift, there is a brief, highly recommended deviation to admire a dense grouping of oldgrowth beech trees that create a particularly evocative atmosphere. This may be the last spot in the Alta Langa where it is possible to admire these magnificent trees. Once very common, they are now relegated to a few isolated areas in the dampest valleys.

Once back on the flat dirt road, continue to the left along the crest of the hill to the intersection at Bricco della Colma. Turn left onto the paved road and descend quickly until you reach a shrine and an isolated farmhouse. A final flat section will take you to an intersection, where you will leave the paved road and continue along a trail that heads up to your left and into the woods, which will first be a sparse grouping of pine trees followed by a cooler chestnut grove. Here the vegetation is noticeably lush, a paradise for nature lovers. Indeed, the Uzzone Valley below is green and rich with pristine woodlands, making it the ideal place for mushroom hunting and other outdoor activities.

When you come to a more evident dirt road, continue to the left until you reach an intersection featuring an aqueduct depot. Head down to the right for a few metres, then turn left onto a flat dirt road. Taking the fork to the left, you could go to the hill above the village of Gottasecca, where there are the remains of an ancient castle, including what’s left of its tower and part of its outer wall. Head down into this characteristic village, but don’t forget to take a look at the bust of Ravina, a poet and patriot of the fight for Italian unification, who was born here two centuries ago. You will also want to see the main street that winds from the main church down through the houses and on to the highway.

Recommended period

Spring
Summer
Fall
March - November

Accessible to people with disabilities

No

Interest points

Prunetto : Castle of Prunetto , Sanctuary of Madonna del Carmine .
Gottasecca : Sanctuary of Maria Vergine Assunta .

Profilo altimetrico

Dati tecnici

Code
GTN
Classification
Provincial
Local Tourist Agency (LTA) reference
ATL Langhe Monferrato Roero
Country
Italy
Region
Piemonte
Province
Cuneo
Attachments
GTL_Tappa4_0.pdf
Devotional relevance
Sì
Historical relevance
Yes
Ultima data di aggiornamento
15/12/2023

Accommodation facilities

Agriturismo

Ca' veja

Località

GOTTASECCA (CN)

Read more
Agriturismo

La curma

Località

PRUNETTO (CN)

Read more
Agriturismo

La luna e i falo'

Località

PRUNETTO (CN)

Read more

Tappe attività