VAL BORMIDA MOTORCYCLE TOUR: ITINERARY BETWEEN LIGURIA AND PIEDMONT

A motorcycle tour between Liguria and Piedmont, in Val Bormida is the perfect opportunity to experience a territory yet to be discovered and not yet so beaten by motorcyclists. The asphalt of its roads stubbornly unites mountains of not high altitude and hilly areas, surrounded by extensive woods and small centuries-old villages. Val Bormida is an Alpine-Apennine valley that follows the homonymous river and extends from the Ligurian Alps (then advancing almost as far as Savona), then continuing in Piedmont between the hills of the upper Monferrato and the upper Langhe, reaching almost Alessandria. And it is precisely from the latter that the two-wheeled itinerary of the Val Bormida of the Roadsitalia editorial staff will start.

All of us motorcyclists know the Liguria that overlooks the sea. In this post instead, we will discover its most hidden and antagonistic part - sometimes wild - that characterizes the Val Bormida and its DNA. A centuries-old history, still easily perceptible from the multitude of castles and medieval villages, such as Millesimo, the Cairo Castle, that of Rocchetta di Cairo and Roccavignale. All that remains is to discover the beautiful Val Bormida together.

VAL BORMIDA BY MOTORCYCLE: THE ROADSITALIA ROUTE

Our motorbike tour in Val Bormida starts from Alessandria. Built not far from the Bormida river, to be a military city against the advance of Frederick Barbarossa in Italy, this city collects great monuments and noble residences. Riding on our motorbike and helmet on, we follow the Provincial Road 30 (SP30) towards Acqui Terme. If you have never visited its center, we advise you to do so on this occasion. In fact, there are many things to see in this delightful town which remains the main center of the lower valley of the Bormida river and the upper Monferrato. At the top of the list are the Terme di Acqui, but also the Piazza della Bollente, the Civic Clock Tower and the remains of the Roman Swimming pool and of the Roman Aqueduct. Always follow the SP30 to Spigno Monferrato and then Merana, the last of the municipalities in the Piedmont area before actually entering Liguria. Merana (together with other small local contexts) has become famous for the initiative BIG BENCH COMMUNITY PROJECT - the Big Benches by Chris Bangle, nowadays a symbolic attraction of the Alta Langa. Here you will find the giant bench # 45 in lilac, ideal for a souvenir photo.

From here, the asphalt changes its name (SP29), but not essentially direction, which persists towards the Ligurian coast first for Cairo Montenotte and then for Millesimo. Millesimo is recognized and included in the list of the most beautiful villages in Italy. This small Savona town is full of tradition, history, culture and is surrounded by magnificent natural landscapes. Entering its small and charming historic center, you will immediately be enveloped by the medieval atmosphere - still very much present - of its alleys and squares.

Getting off the bike for a visit is a must here. You could start right from the Ponte della Gaietta, also known as the “Ponte Vecchio”, one of the few examples of a well-preserved fortified bridge in Italy and continue to the town square, in the heart of the small historic center. Here stands the Town Hall, which was once the noble residence of the Del Carretto family. A few steps away, we also find Villa Scarzella, another symbol of Millesimo. Built in 1855, it is surrounded by an enchanting park and houses the Napoleonic Museum. Returning instead to the Ponte della Gaietta stop at the House of the Foundation. Under its portico, back in November 9, 1206, the foundation deed of the new village of Millesimo was signed thanks to the signature of the marquis and lord of the fief Enrico II Del Carretto.

Mappa GPX - Clicca per scaricare

After restarting the engines (still on the SP29), about twenty kilometers are enough to begin to glimpse the sea and the Ligurian coast, reaching Savona. We left the most mountainous part of the journey to immerse ourselves in the most relaxing one, dominated by the many shades of blue of the Ligurian sea and sky. Here, travel by motorbike on the promenade that crosses the villages overlooking the sea, has a charm all its own. And this is why we suggest you continue and fully experience this road (SS1), passing through the towns of Varazze and Ivrea before turning towards the internal roads and returning to the starting point, that is Alessandria.

USEFUL ADVICE ON A MOTORCYCLE TOUR IN VAL BORMIDA

All in all a fairly easy and scenic route, which only bad weather (in these areas sometimes unpredictable) can ruin. A total of just over 200 km (depending on which breaks and detours you want to do) feasible in less than 4 hours, stops excluded. And you? Have you ever traveled the Val Bormida by motorbike or have you ever made some particular stage in these parts? Tell us in the comments below.