From the central square in Busca, head straight onto the slopes of Mount Pagliano and start your climb on the beautiful “balcony” road that offers a splendid view of the Maira Valley and the Cuneo plain, with the Ligurian and Maritime Alps in the background. After about 3 km, you can stop to admire the disused quarries from which pink alabaster was once sourced for ornamental purposes, as well as natural narrow, surprisingly high canyons. 

Resume your climb until the paved road ends and you will come face-to-face with the Eremo di Belmonte, an ancient devotional hermitage that attracted many pilgrims. From here you will begin the approach to the top, travelling on a splendid dirt road in the shade of chestnut trees. After a few rather more challenging ramps you will reach the plateau at the top, on which the cross of Busca stands, an excellent panoramic point overlooking the plain and the Langhe. A last effort on the path uphill will allow you to reach the top of Mount Pagliano, with its beautiful view of Monviso. 

Here, you begin your descent and after a short steep stretch, you will again come across the dirt road you left previously, continuing down in the direction of the Cappella di San Michele, with its beautiful sunny grounds, ideal for a stop.

At the end of the descent you will find yourself at the gates of Costigliole di Saluzzo, where you can admire the Castello Rosso, the Castello Reynaudi and the Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Maddalena, cycling on cobblestone streets to the centre. On a beautiful hillside road you will cycle through the vineyards of Quagliano returning to Busca; on your way you’ll pass by the Chiesa di San Martino, with its characteristic façade in square stones dating back to the eleventh century.

Shortly before your arrival point, if you lengthen the itinerary by a couple of kilometres, you can reach the Castello del Roccolo, built in the nineteenth century and today an important example of Piedmontese neo-medieval style, which can be toured subject to booking. At the end of the hillside road you’ll pass through the streets in the historic centre of Busca, full of bars and bistros, and end the tour in the best way.

Download Cycling and Cycling Tourism Itineraries in the Province of Cuneo