Augusto Monti Path

This is a circular route that develops in the valley of the Romarolo stream, in the municipality of Giaveno. The Augusto Monti Path is a literary thematic itinerary dedicated to the memory of the writer, who loved to spend the summer in the quiet and secluded valley of Armirolo, at Cordria. Established in 2006 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his death. From the Mollar dei Franchi hamlet (579 m), at the end of a long straight stretch, one leaves the road that climbs from Giaveno to take the dirt path on the left that leads to the Gentina hamlet (623 m). Upon reaching a fountain and a barrier, a short descent on the left leads to a bridge (Punt d’la Balueri) over which the Romarolo stream is crossed. From this point, the itinerary winds along the right bank of the stream for a long stretch until a characteristic stone bridge, after which one returns to the left bank near Case Galletto (Can Galet, 670 m). The mule path now transforms into a dirt road that with some steep turns leads to Case Nanot (Can Nanot, 803 m), from where one continues to the right downhill on the asphalted road to Provonda (769 m) with the beautiful parish church dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, overlooking the valley. From here, one follows the road downhill until the fork on the left, with a short climb leading to the lower core of Case Franza (La Fransa, 763 m), and continues on a path that, after crossing a flat area of meadows and gardens, enters the woods and quickly descends to Pian Siva. Following the signs, one continues downhill in the woods to regain the road, which is climbed for a very short stretch until a marked fork on the left that leads to the Cordria hamlet (650 m), where Augusto Monti stayed. From here, one quickly reaches the Gentina hamlet and retracing the first stretch of the itinerary, one arrives back at the Mollar dei Franchi hamlet, completing the loop. If desired, a variant can be followed that allows one to halve the length of the itinerary, excluding the upper part. Indeed, by following the right bank of the Romarolo stream, one reaches a concrete bridge that leads to the left bank on a steep dirt road that connects to the "du Duc" fountain and subsequently to the Madur (673 m) and Madorera (701 m) hamlets, where one gains the asphalted road, which is taken back to the left up to Case Franza, connecting to the full route.