From Cuneo to Mondovì by bike

From the historic centre of Cuneo you take long Corso Guglielmo Marconi leading downhill and out of the town. At the first large roundabout, turn right into Via Savona and right again at the next roundabout into Via del Borgo Gesso. After a few metres you go downhill again and continue in a northerly direction, cycling through the Gesso and Stura River Park, along the partly unmade cycle path that follows the right-hand bank of the River Gesso. After crossing the river on the handy cantilevered footbridge, you will come to Tetto Lupo in the hamlet of Madonna delle Grazie. There are two small artificial lakes here that go to make up a wetland area and a refuge for various species of birds. This place, where peace and quiet reign supreme, has become a birdwatching paradise, thanks also to a specially built structure, from which it is possible to observe various species of migratory birds such as herons and cranes.

The first 30 kilometres of the itinerary are downhill and, leaving the area of the Tetto Lupo lakes, you follow secondary country roads with little traffic, which, after Tetti Pesio and Riforano, will bring you to Morozzo, the gateway to the wonderful Crava-Morozzo Nature Reserve. Enjoy one of the most important wetland environments in Piedmont, which is home to and protects resident and migratory birds, and pedal under the foliage of the trees and through the thick reeds of this welcoming haven. At the end of the 3 km of well-beaten dirt track, you leave the Reserve and pedal up to Rocca de’ Baldi, a pretty village overlooking the River Pesio. With the village behind you, turn left at the first roundabout on straight Via Pogliola and start climbing up to the town of Mondovì.