E1 in Piedmont

Route

Almost at the border with Lombardy, at Molino dei Torti to be precise, the Alessandria section of the European E1 trail begins, which is about 96 km long. You arrive at Molino dei Torti after about 800 metres from the border on an inter-country road. From Molino dei Torti on the paved SP 89 road, towards Alzano Scrivia and then Castelnuovo Scrivia.

From the centre of the latter, ride along the Scrivia river towards the Tortona bypass, where the route will become very busy and caution is required. Along this route, you will pass by the Basilica Santuario della Madonna della Guardia that, all golden, towers over the city of Tortona, which is a large town served by public transport.

After long dirt roads through the fields, we come to Villa Romagnano and then Rampina. Beyond the village of Rampina, the landscape is typical of the Tortonese valleys with plains and cultivated fields until reaching Montale Celli. Then on the crest, the village of Costa Vescovato is skirted. Continuing on a dirt road, you will observe the gorges on the left and still on the path, between cultivated fields and meadows, you will reach San Alosio. 

Continue towards San Vito and then Bastita di Garbagna. From this small village you climb up the ridge where the terrain is more impervious to San Martino di Sarli and finally to Albarasca. After a few more kilometres through hillside meadows and woods, you will reach the Sanctuary of Madonna Cà del Bello, which overlooks the Borbera valley and where you can enjoy a beautiful view.

Continuing on asphalt we arrive at the foot of Monte Spineto, passing through Stazzano and flanking Serravalle Scrivia we can admire on our left the archaeological complex of Libarna, an ancient Roman city.

Continuing along the path we cross Arquata Scrivia, a large town well served by public transport with its panoramic Montaldero Sanctuary. Afterwards, passing through coniferous and fir forests, we reach the Church of Nostra Signora del Soccorso.

Finally, passing through the villages of Sottovalle and Borlasca among once cultivated chestnut groves, we reach N.S. Ausigliatrice, the summit of Monte Alpe.

Below, you will reach Castagnola (a village with refreshment points and public transport). On an asphalt road, you will reach Franconalto through mixed woods (turkey oak and chestnut), the Capanna di Marcarolo Nature Park and on the right you will reach the junction with the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri (AVML) at the Bocchetta pass, a panoramic point where the itinerary of the Alessandria section of the European E1 trail ends.

Practical

Medical Problems (NOT Emergency):  phone    116 117

Emergency (any): phone 112

Accomodation and Food

There are no support points on the E1 Piemonte route

Gear

The stages of the E1 trail in the province of Alessandria run through very varied territories from chestnut groves to the plains, from nature parks to more anthropised areas. The stage points in most cases require detours to reach reception points.

Difficulty: E and some stretches EE.

Useful Links