Tour of the Sanctuary of Vicoforte
T22
Level of difficulty
Type
Duration
2 hours 30 minutes
STARTING POINT
Charles Emmanuel I Square
Municipality of departure
Vicoforte
Starting fee
510 m
POINT OF ARRIVAL
Charles Emmanuel I Square
Municipality of arrival
Vicoforte
Arrival fee
510 m
Length of the route
19.2 km
MAXIMUM QUOTE.
736 m
Minimum fee
509 m
Uphill elevation gain
337 m
Downhill gradient
316 m
Charging column
Present
It is located at the Cioccolocanda San Marco in Vicoforte, 19 Francesco Gallo Street, telephone 0174.563312. Also in Vicoforte, near the Albero Fiorito restaurant at 10 Corsaglia Street, there is an e-bike room equipped with various amenities; phone 0174.329023.
THE PATH.
Unexpected loop itinerary that from the center of Vicoforte (embellished by the famous silhouette of the Regina Montis Regalis Sanctuary) bends southward, going first to lap the Vicoforte hills among woods and meadow-pastures, and then plunges into the typical landscapes of the low mountains, moving along the ridge overlooking the Fondovalle Corsaglia.
Running on a mixed surface—partly dirt and partly asphalt— the route passes through historic chestnut groves and gradually gains elevation, reaching Colle della Giacobba. Turning eastward, it enters the administrative boundaries of Montaldo di Mondovì, reaching its highest point and offering a beautiful view of the archaeological site and, more broadly, the entire panoramic overlook on which the town is situated.
Finally, the view of the Cuneo plain and the jagged peaks of the Ligurian Alps is truly remarkable.
LOCATIONS AND POINTS OF INTEREST
Regina Montis Regalis Shrine
A national monument since 1880, the building came into being in 1596 at the behest of Duke Charles Emmanuel I of Savoy, who commissioned the court architect Ascanio Vittozzi to build a basilica that would be equally the mausoleum of the House of Savoy. However, the death of both stopped the work, which only resumed at a slow pace in the 18th century (thanks to architect Francesco Gallo, creator of the world's largest elliptical dome, which today can be visited exclusively thanks to the Magnificat experience) to officially end in 1884.
Chapel Road
A characteristic itinerary that connects Vicoforte with Mondovì Piazza, serving as a de facto path of faith for those who wish to symbolically move, on pilgrimage, on foot from Mondovì to the Regina Montis Regalis Sanctuary. Conceived on the occasion of the first coronation of Our Lady of Vico in 1682 but never realized in its entirety, the Via delle Cappelle now consists of five chapels as opposed to the fourteen originally assumed.
Landandé Trail
Officially conceived in 2010 with the intention of enriching the tourism offer of the area, the Landandè circuit (promoted Regional Trail in 2016) now connects the municipalities of Briaglia, Vicoforte, Niella Tanaro, San Michele Mondovì, Mondovì, Monasterolo Casotto and Viola by means of specially equipped and marked hiking loops (called "petals"). Walkable in all seasons by young and old, the Fuchsia Petal in particular joins Vicoforte, Briaglia and Niella Tanaro measuring about 23km and accomplishing a total elevation gain of about 800m.
Archaeological site of Montaldo di Mondovi
The earliest traces of settlements in this area date back to Roman times, when the region was inhabited by Ligurian peoples. Later, the area was home to medieval communities, as evidenced by the remains of ancient walls, dwellings, and artifacts unearthed on site over the centuries. Today, the archaeological site, situated on a hilltop, offers an interesting overview of the remains of the ancient fortifications that have been uncovered and classified, thanks to a picturesque aerial trail enhanced by informative signage.
Local Specialties
Paste di Meliga from the Monregalese region: deeply rooted in the local culinary tradition—with the dialect term “meliga” referring to corn, the dessert’s main ingredient—these are a crumbly and widely enjoyed cookie, celebrated over the years by a Slow Food Presidium of the same name. Typically made with Ottofile corn flour mixed with wheat flour, butter, eggs, and sugar, they were traditionally prepared for family celebrations or local festivals and served alongside creams such as zabajone.
Download gps coordinates of the route
All Mongibike tracks are also available on Tabui
