Excursion from Fontanino to Colle Don Bosco, crossing the Alder Grove.
Technical Notes
Start: Villanova d’Asti, Santuario della Madonna delle Grazie, in viale Maria Baj (260 m)
Arrival: Basilica del Colle Don Bosco (269 m)
Length: 12,6 km
Elevation Gain: 119 m
Difficulty: hiking, initially flat path, then slightly undulating
Refreshment: after leaving the center of Villanova d’Asti, there are no refreshment options until Colle Don Bosco
Water: Fontanino in the Garden of the Sanctuary, H2O booth 100 m from Mulino del Casale, fountain in the Savi hamlet near the Church of San Marco (detour), 3 fountains at Colle Don Bosco
Description
The route starts from the Sanctuary of Madonna (or Blessed Virgin) delle Grazie(P), following via Francesco I, Tommaso Villa, Adolfo Villa, and crossing after 400 m the SP towards Buttigliera. Then, it follows a short stretch of the old road to Chieri, the old road of Brassicarda, the cycle path, and crosses a bridge over the A21. After a bend, take the first road on the right, running alongside a canal for about 500 m, reconnecting with SP towards Buttigliera near another bridge over the A21. Turn right, then immediately left onto a cart track to follow for 2 km. Once reaching SP from Villanova Station to San Paolo Solbrito, cross the railway bridge, turn right onto an asphalt road, and shortly arrive at the Sanctuary of Madonna di Serra. A few meters past the junction, descend left onto Cormaglione road (initially asphalted) for about 1 km, then turn right near some houses, reaching a villa and then turning left. The road becomes a path adjacent to a fenced meadow, then descends onto a cart track turning left. After less than 1 km, cross SP2 towards Montafia, reaching Mulino del Casale, now a lodging facility. From the Mulino’s parking, take the trail through a poplar grove, then turn left onto the narrow path alongside the lively irrigation channel, which has supplied the Mill since the 1400s. (Alternative route: pass Mulino del Casale, continue on the provincial road, take the first left, and follow the cart track ascending to the Savi hamlet. Turn right, cross the town along Via Circonvallazione Savi, then turn right near the Parish of San Marco and left near the chapel of San Giuseppe. Descend to the valley bottom, intersecting the main route.) Persist on this trail for about 1,500 m, immersed in a wonderful Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa) forest, the only one remaining in the Asti area, colored in spring by the splendid yellow blooms of Caltha palustris. The trail ends on a cart track leading left to the Savi hamlet in Villanova: instead, turn right to reach a small iron bridge over the Valle stream after about 400 m of slight descent. A few meters ahead, turn left, follow a trail alongside the stream, entering a dense forest of oaks and black locusts, continuing for over 1 km, ignoring various intersections. Proceed for a long stretch alongside the stream (the Crivelle hamlet of Buttigliera is visible in the distance to the left), arriving at a junction where you turn left then immediately right, always on a dirt road, eventually reaching a country house and, after a short ascent, Cascina Mainito, now transformed into a riding stable (Il Gelso Equestrian Club). Continue for another 500 m on a gravel and then asphalted road, reaching SP33 towards Capriglio. Follow this briefly to the left, staying on the left side to be cautious of traffic. Cross it at a votive pillar to reach a gate, pass it to the right on a small path that leads to the steep ascent to Colle Don Bosco (H).
In the Footsteps of Don Bosco
Don Bosco and the Madonna delle Grazie: In 1823, Giovannino Bosco went with his mother Margherita to Villanova to drink the miraculous water of Fontanino and heal from “ruffa” (cradle cap), a common skin condition at the time due to vitamin deficiency. Don Bosco returned there in 1871 to celebrate the first anniversary of the church’s inauguration.
Map
