Ciciu del Villar Nature Reserve

From Dronero you continue along the provincial road to Villar San Costanzo where a short uphill stretch brings you to the coolness of the enchanting little Ciciu del Villar Nature Reserve, unique from a naturalistic point of view for its peculiar geological characteristics. The ‘Ciciu’, or stone puppets, are a very special erosion phenomenon and as you walk through the reserve, you will come across giant mushroom-shaped boulders that hark back to the legend of San Costanzo who, according to one version of the story, transformed his enemies into stone puppets: the Ciciu.

Once your visit to the Reserve is over, you continue in the direction of Morra del Villar and, to reach the hamlet of Monastero, cross the footbridge over the Maira river, a 70-metre long Tibetan bridge suspended over a spectacular 20-metre drop, a true adrenaline rush. You complete this looped itinerary by pedalling the remaining 20 kilometres along quiet minor roads, past fruit trees and fields of crops, through relaxing countryside. This route is flat and studded with by typical Piedmontese farmsteads and tiny country hamlets called “Tetti” (roofs) until you reach Madonna dell’Olmo and its Sanctuary in a Baroque style that is very common in the Cuneo area. From here you pedal beside the railway line and back into the Gesso and Stura River Park until you come to the entrance of the old Cuneo city centre.