Ponti to Merlo
Ponti, Monastero Bormida · about 40 min by car from Alba
The walk
5.8 km out-and-back walk between Ponti and Monastero Bormida, up to Frazione Merlo, bivio ALA571A-ATS500, 165 m of total ascent: about 1 h 45 min of walking. Waymarked CAI hiking trail. Along the way: Castello dei Marchesi del Carretto. After the walk: wine tasting at Cantina Riboli (3.4 km) and lunch at Cacciatori in Cartosio (5.6 km).
Waymarked hiking trail (grade E): paths and dirt roads, good walking shoes are enough.
How to get there
By car
From Alba: about 40 min (27 km as the crow flies). Most trailheads have roadside parking or a small car park in the nearest village.
By train and bus
Take a train to Alba, then a regional bus or a taxi for the last stretch. Our link plans the whole trip with Google Maps public transport.
Start point
44.62624,8.36548
Coordinates of the first waymark. Paste them into any map app.
Country buses run less often on Sundays and holidays, and some not at all: check the return journey before you set off.
Along the way
- Castello dei Marchesi del Carretto350 m from the trail
Wikipedia (Italian)
Where to eat and drink
Independent winemaker
Azienda Agricola 3 Cantine ss di Carlotta Farina & C.
Cartosio · 5.7 km from the trail
Book tastings ahead, and check opening days: many osterie close one day a week.
A good day here
- 10:00Park near Ponti and start the walk.
- 11:45Back at the start after about 1 h 45 min.
- 13:00Lunch at Cacciatori in Cartosio, 5.6 km by car.
- 15:30Tasting at Cantina Riboli, 3.4 km from the trail.
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