Monleale: Hill Trails, Artistic Connections and Wine Traditions

Monleale combines an older district situated on the hilltop with a settlement that developed along the provincial road from Tortona to Caldirola. Monleale Alto is considered the historic town centre; a castle once stood on its site. For your travel planning, this creates a clear transition between the elevated location and the course of the road, which is also reflected in the paths and in the town’s historical and artistic connections.

Historic Town Centre and Architecture

Next to the road leading up to Monleale Alto stands an oak tree that is more than 300 years old. On the way to the hilltop, you will reach the parish church of Sant’Ambrogio, which dates from the 18th century and has a Baroque interior. Materials from the demolished castle were used in part to build the Oratorio del Gonfalone.

Hiking Between Hills and Plain

The official trail 152, “Il sentiero del Sole”, begins at Piazza Capsoni in Monleale Alto and is marked with CAI trail marker 152. It has difficulty grade E (hiking trail), is 7.59 km long from Monleale Alto and takes about two and a half hours. On trail 152, the 388-metre-high Monte Roscella offers views of the surrounding hills and plain; up to that point, the trail passes places visited by Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo during his studies for the creation of the painting “Il Sole”.

Trail 154, “Intorno al Poggio di Monleale”, begins at Monleale Town Hall and leads through the Cusinasco district. It has difficulty grade E (hiking trail), is 10.72 km long and takes about three hours to walk. At the same time, it is part of the “I Percorsi Pellizziani” hiking trail network, created in connection with places from the painter’s life and work.

Trail 101a, “Il sentiero della Cerreta e della Montà”, begins at the Centro Sportivo in Monleale and reaches Monleale Alto via the old route of the Montà. It runs along the strada vicinale della Cerreta between vineyards and offers views of the surrounding hills and plain. Through the hill village, it passes the Oratorio della Beata Vergine; Pellizza da Volpedo created one of his works near it. The “Vita Natura” trail behind the sports hall also leads to the historic upper district of Monleale Alto. The Via del Mare also includes a stage from Monleale/Volpedo to Serra del Monte.

Artistic Connections and Local Wine Traditions

Monleale is one of the “luoghi pellizziani”, the places associated with Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo. The revival of Derthona Timorasso began from Monleale. In Monleale Alto, “Calici di Stelle” has been established for several years; the event includes tastings of wines and regional products.

Other Places for Your Travel Planning

If you would like to compare Monleale with other destinations, you can continue your orientation here: Serravalle Scrivia, Pontecurone, Melazzo, Monticelli, Corteranzo, Cantalupo Ligure, Fabiano, San Sebastiano Curone.

For the overarching travel overview: Alessandria.