If climbing hills or cycling in the high valley becomes more challenging from autumn to spring due to lower temperatures or snow, at Casa Bart, the gravel season begins.
Casa Bart, located at the intersection of three valleys (Maira, Varaita, and Grana) and overlooking the Saluzzo plain, offers countless gravel routes of varying difficulty and distances, with the possibility of multi-day itineraries away from traffic. The surrounding landscape consists of country roads and hilly trails: cycling here is both a workout and an enjoyable experience, especially on a mild autumn or early spring day.
And where can we go? We can reach the Abbey of Staffarda by passing through Saluzzo along the Via della Pietra. Ride the hills between Busca and Costigliole Saluzzo. Climb to Valmala for a polenta dish at Pian Pietro, or take the Strada dei Cannoni and descend to Sant’Anna di Roccabruna. Follow the Gesso and Stura rivers in a loop that leads to the borders of the Langhe and back.
Besides gravel routes, the area around Casa Bart also offers many road cycling routes with challenging climbs, though they never exceed 1000–1300 meters in altitude.
GRAVEL RIDING ALONG THE VIA DELLA PIETRA
The Via della Pietra is a long route that, winding through gravel country roads and a greenway (the former Bricherasio-Barge railway), connects Bricherasio in the Pinerolo area with Saluzzo.
From Casa Bart, it can be accessed via an extensive network of secondary roads leading from Villar San Costanzo through the orchards of Verzuolo and the vineyards of Costigliole to Saluzzo.
The Route
Crossing Saluzzo is worth a stop—either on the way there or back—to explore its well-preserved medieval old town. A short but steep cobbled climb, with inclines up to 15%, rewards riders with a breathtaking view over the vast plains of the Provincia Granda (so named for a reason).
Heading towards Revello, the ride continues under the ever-watchful gaze of Monviso, the iconic mountain of the Cuneo valleys. Unfortunately, about 500 meters of provincial road (SP Saluzzo-Revello) must be taken to cross the Po River, which is fordable only when the riverbed is dry.
The route continues for about ten kilometers past orchards and working farms, with the Staffarda Abbey complex appearing on the horizon. The final stretch runs alongside a remnant of the ancient floodplain forests that once covered the Po Valley.
Let’s stop at the Abbey, a symbol of the industrious Cistercian monks whose land reclamation efforts in the 11th century transformed this place into both a monastery and a thriving agricultural estate.
Fun facts: The Abbey is one of Italy’s most significant conservation sites, home to a colony of about 1,200 female bats. It is also inhabited by a colony of cats that roam freely through the cloister and surrounding areas.
GRAVEL RIDING ALONG THE RIVERS AROUND CUNEO
Feeling like a two-day ride?
A classic, easy, and enjoyable route is the loop of the Gesso and Stura River Park, covering 5,500 hectares between mountains and plains—a true “green network” stretching to the borders of the Langhe.
Starting from Casa Bart, Cuneo is reached in just over 20 km via secondary asphalt and gravel roads. The first section follows gravel paths along the Stura River and its 15th-century irrigation canals, surrounded by lush riparian vegetation and floodplain areas. Along the way, you’ll pass the historic “Fernando Olivero” hydroelectric plant, which has been operating for over 100 years.
Total: 170 km, ideally split in half with the first stop in Fossano.
