The full route ahead of you is about 23 km long, with an elevation gain of approximately 700 metres. It is an itinerary that we recommend you tackle with a front or full MTB or e-bike as the terrain it features is mostly unpaved and bumpy.

The route starts from the Santuario di Vicoforte, a place of worship and architecture of absolute importance, also known as the Santuario della Madonna or Basilica della Natività di Maria Santissima. Located in the territory of the municipality of Vicoforte in Cuneo, it is one of the most important monumental churches in Piedmont, whose dome - with an elliptical horizontal section - is thought to be the largest one of this shape in the world.

After the monument, crossing the square, proceed along the asphalt road to the Sanctuary, which climbs to the right of the building, in the direction of Vicoforte, towards San Giovanni. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit, towards San Giovanni. The road is downhill and on an asphalt surface. After about 5 km, take via Otteria, an uphill stretch alternating with a few hilly sections which will take you to Borgo (in the municipality of Briaglia). 

At the end of the road, turn left onto the SP 36 and continue to Piazza Serra. Suddenly, on your left, you’ll see the Big Bench in the municipality of Briaglia. If necessary, a working fountain is located nearby. Go straight ahead and cross the square keeping to the left along Via Roma, which is flat and asphalted, until you reach the first fork, on your right, from which a dirt track branches off. 

Follow the downhill track that takes you into the woods and ride about 4 km on the dirt track. In the vicinity of a house, turn left into Via Niella Tanaro, proceed alongside the farmhouse and at the first junction keep right. You will find another path in front of you that will take you across a pond via a small bridge, then back to Boschi. Continue on the dirt track, which flattens out slightly, and you will reach San Teobaldo. 

The Parish Church of San Teobaldo di Niella, dedicated to Saints Teobaldo and Lorenzo, stands majestically on the hill of Val Morej, in a stunningly beautiful panoramic setting. The church and a fresco inside date back to the 16th century. The brick façade is 18th century. This church, like other sites in the municipality of Niella, can be visited accompanied by a guide. From the church, continue along Via San Bartolomeo and past the second house on the right. Take the first dirt track you encounter. Follow the trail downhill through the woods until the point where you find yourself back on an uphill ramp. This way, you will reach a new junction: turn left, follow a short stretch of asphalt and take the dirt track you’ll find on your left. 

Following this part of the track, you will descend for a stretch and then climb back up again until you reach Via Borsarelli. Cross the road in front of you and take the path that stretches behind the group of houses: this features an uphill stretch, alternating with a flat stretch until you reach the Bricco della Guardia, in Vaschetti. From here, continue until you the paved road begins again in Via San Giovanni. 

Continue to the left and at the junction turn right into Via Caporale. Pay attention, for a short distance you will find yourself on a road used by cars and agricultural vehicles. After a few kilometres, take the uphill path that you see on your left and keep left at the fork. After the stretch on the dirt track, take Via della Lovera for a short distance and swing back onto the dirt road to your right: you will find yourself on a flat stretch in the open countryside that will take you to the final climb of your route. At the end of the dirt track, the last section begins, taking you back to the starting point. Take Via San Rocco and ride it to the end, arriving in the square of the Santuario di Vicoforte, the starting point of your tour.

Download Cycling and Cycling Tourism Itineraries in the Province of Cuneo