Valleandona - Bric delle Monache - Valle Quarnaiera - Bric Fassi - Valleandona
- Trail Conditions: On foot
- Departure: Valleandona (piazza del Pilone)
- Duration: 2 hour/s 30 minutes
- Length: 5 km
- Difference in height: 150m
- Recommended Period: from March to June, from September to November
- Road access: see access to the Reserve.
- Maps: IGM 1:25.000, sheet 69 IV NE Camerano
- Casasco, sheet 69 IV SE Asti; IGC 1:50.000 n. 19 Asti, Alba, Acqui Terme.
Along the itinerary, you will meet cultivated vineyards, recently abandoned vineyeards colonized by a young woodland, and locust tree woodlands, where the one and only remaining evidence of the past agricultural importance are the ruins of the buildings used as shelter by the farmers during the long ploughing time with the ox. You will also enter a chestnut tree woodland, rather unusual for this area of Asti, originally used to provide poles for the vineyards.
From the square of the Pilone in Valleandona, take on foot the SC road leading to Montegrosso Cinaglio, and shortly after turn left in the direction of Bric Scaiola. From here, the itinerary develops exclusively on carriage road or dirt trails. After turning left again, leave the valley bottom and climb to the ridge of the hill following a steep trail crossing a coppice locust tree woodland. On the ridge, you will find a carriage road leading north to Bric Monache.
This is the highest point of the protected area (256m) and from here you will enjoy a wonderful view which, when the sky is clear, goes from the Langhe to Monferrato and has in the background the western section of the Alps.
At a crossroads, turn right, and you will reach a huge sessile oak situated at the edges of the chestnut tree woodland.
Then take a downhill trail and enter the wild Quarnaiera Valley, whose locust tree woodland preserves dry rests of vineyards; once you reach the valley bottom, you will find a small ford on the stream.
Going ahead along the dirt road meeting the asphalt road, take a detour a few meters before La Fontana Holiday Farm, going beyond Bric Fassi. You will find the asphalt SC road leading you to the departure point.
