Discover Odalengo Piccolo: Trails, Skies and Monferrato Culture

Odalengo Piccolo combines landscapes, trails, history and regional specialities within a small municipal area. The landscape is characterised by extensive forests and vineyards. Two thirds of the area lie within a wildlife protection oasis recognised by the Province of Alessandria. When choosing a hotel for your stay, you can therefore first decide whether hiking, nature observation, culture or culinary discoveries should be the focus of your trip.

Hiking trails between Crea and Monferrato

The Superga–Crea hiking trail passes through Odalengo Piccolo. The Superga–Vezzolano–Crea hiking trail also crosses the provinces of Alessandria, Asti and Turin and can be used year-round on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. The Alessandria section of the Cammino di San Michele passes through Odalengo Piccolo between Villadeati and Castelletto Merli.

For shorter outings, the wildlife protection oasis offers a circular trail that starts at the observatory and leads towards Località Rondaneto. A hike to Crea starts in Odalengo Piccolo at the Cesare Triveri memorial stone. On the hike to Castello di Pessine, the trail follows marker 705 as far as Cascina Carpugnano; occasional signs from the CAI of Casale then indicate the Cesare Triveri trail, the Superga–Crea section. The area can also be explored by bicycle: a cycling route by Pedalare Il Monferrato leads to Odalengo Piccolo, continues on asphalt towards Vicinato and then returns towards Pessine.

Observatory and picnic area

The public Astronomical Observatory of Odalengo Piccolo was inaugurated in 2007. During public opening evenings, visitors can tour the observatory and observe the sky using the instruments; members of the astronomy group provide explanations. Booking for these evening events is available via the website of the Cielo del Monferrato astronomy group. A picnic area in Spina Christi is located approximately 200 metres from the Astronomical Observatory.

Churches, manor house and traces of history

Castello di Pessine is a private manor house that is currently being restored. A stone bearing the symbol of the Agnus Dei, dated 1386, is located on the portal of Castello di Pessine. In Pessine, the San Sebastiano chapel has a simple temple-like façade with a triangular pediment. The settlement of Visinalis, now the hamlet of Vicinato, already existed at the end of the 13th century and was built around the church dedicated to Saints Mary and Peter. The small San Pietro church near Serra dates from the early 19th century. The hike to Castello di Pessine offers views of the hills of Basso Monferrato; Monte Rosa, the Gran Paradiso group and Monviso are visible from the route.

Old apple varieties and the Fiera Tufo&Tartufo

The “Melamangio in Monferrato” centre preserves more than 150 old varieties of apples from Monferrato, including Marcun, Ciucarina and Canditina. In 2026, the municipality designated Tufo & Tartufo as a regional fair promoting culinary products as well as handicrafts and hobby creations. The traditional Fiera Tufo&Tartufo takes place every year on the first Sunday in October and is dedicated to white truffles and old apple varieties.

More places for planning your trip

Ottiglio, Ciglione, Quattordio, Mirabello Monferrato, Sale, Fresonara, Alice Bel Colle, Pecetto

For the overarching travel overview: Alessandria.