EXCURSION TO BALMETTI, ANCIENT WINE CELLARS, IN THE CANAVESE AREA, IN PIEDMONT, CLOSE TO VALLE D’AOSTA BORDER
An itinerary among forests and chestnut trees cultivations which have been restored in this area of Piedmont, close to Valle D’Aosta border. Here rocks and wind create a peculiar microclimate where olive oil and vineyards can grow very well.
Wine tasting and visit of the typical Balmetti, cellars built along the foot of the mountain to exploit the air coming from the earth.This area is known as Canavese, an historic region in Piedmont from Turin to Valle D’Aosta and from Biella to Vercelli, partly covering the inner depression of Ivrea morainic amphitheatre. The morainic amphitheatre is one of the most important morainic complexes having glacial origins in the Alps and in the world.
For overnight stay see section Programme and in case you want to participate to the excursion on the following day see WINE VS OIL Sunday 9th October
Technical details
Difference in altitude 380 m
Distance 7 km
Real walking time 3 hours and a half
Max altitude 639 m a.s.l.
The itinerary starts in Montestrutto and runs up on the rocks and hills where terracing have been hardly realized to exploit at the utmost the cultivable surface and benefits from the rock: here is the area where olive groves prevails.
The path then continues among forests where ancient farmhouses and mills, stables and chestnut cultivations can be found, to the village of Nomaglio where chestnuts represents an important heritage: here we will visit the Chestnut ecomuseum, an open-air museum to get to know the history of chestnuts
and chestnut trees.
Descent to Borgofranco along a mule track to visit the ancient cellars known as Balmetti, exploiting air coming from the earth (so called ore).
Excursion ends with a gourmet tasting of local wines and product at the Terre Sparse winery.
Return to Montestrutto on foot or by public bus/provate car according to time.
POINTS OF INTEREST
- Terracing where olives and vineyards are grown;
- Metamorphic rocks contributing to create a unique microclimate in this area;
- Forests and chestnut cultivation representing an impotrtant heritage;
- Tasting of local wines;
- Ancient and typical cellars: Balmetti and the magic of air coming from the earth.
Difficulty level: MEDIUM
Terrain: mostly on mountain paths and mule tracks, easy to walk on.
Gradient: light and constant.
Attention points: slippery mule tracks according to season.
Itinerary suitable for adults and children/teens over 10 in good health conditions and, however, used to walk on mountain paths and on various terrains considering difference in altitude and distance to be walked.
Trekking shoes required with gripping Vibram soles.
Dogs must be on a leash owing to the presence of wild animals in the wood and out of respect for other participants who could be afraid of or annoyed by them. Please, prevent the Guide.
Responsible tourism
The excursions I offer also aim at supporting local economic activities and at living unique experience; closely in touch with and with respect to people and places.
That’s why they often include tasting experiences and/or chance to buy local products directly from producers, mainly small local activities working hard and with passion to keep traditions alive;
That’s why groups I accompany are usually small … in order to meet and live local people and enter their lives and the calmness of the place on tiptoes.
The Cape Town Declaration in 2002 recognises that Responsible Tourism takes a variety of forms, it is characterised by travel and tourism which:
- minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts;
- generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry;
- involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life changes;
- makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, to the maintenance of the world’s diversity;
- provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues;
- provide access for people with disabilities and the disadvantaged;
- is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence.
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- Meeting point at 9.30am at the car parking in Montestrutto at rocky climbing wall;
- Excursion among forests and chesnut trees, ancient mills and farmhouses to the village of Nomaglio, where chesnuts reperesent an important features; packed lunch in Nature;
- Visit to typical Balmentti and gourmet tasting in a local winery;
- Return to Montestrutto on foot or by public bus according to time;
In case you are interested to the excursion on the following day Sunday 9th October 22 WINE VS OIL
OVERNIGHT STAY, please direclty contact:
- B&B Albero Maestro in Borgofranco d’Ivrea.
- B&B Villa Lucia a Borgofranco d’Ivrea
- B&B La Rondine in Montestgrutto
- Miglio 608 in Montestrutto (area camper e 2 camere)
- Ostello San Germano
ROOMS TO BE CONFIRMED WITHIN 1ST OCTOBER
CANCELLATION/POSTPONEMENT
The excursion can be cancelled or postponed anytime by the Guide at her absolute discretion, in case safe and proper conditions cannot be guaranteed following bad weather conditions on the day of the excursion or on the previous days.
The Trek could be confirmed even though weather conditions are not perfect when safety for trekkers is guaranteed.
IN CASE OF EXTREMELY WORSE WEATHER CONDITIONS THE EXCURSION WILL BE CANCELLED.
Any fees paid will be considered valid as a voucher for following excursions up to a validity of 1 year.
No refund is due in case of cancellation by the participant less than 3 days BEFORE date of excursion.
Adults: € 30.00;
Childrene and teens up to 12: € 20.00
Inclusions: Nature Guide fee accompanying the group – AIGAE LO639; liability insurance; guide expenses.
Exclusions: any lunch and break; any tasting; any transport to the meeting point; injury insurance for participants; any service not included in the item “inclusions”.
EXTRA COSTS
- 15 € tasting of 3 different wines from Terre Sparse winery and relevant description of the features and production techniques as well as of the features of canavese vineyards by the owner, winemaker and enologist; tasting of some of the typical products such as salami and cheese and more according to season. Not to be missed, the famous Canestrelli di Borgofranco, typical biscuits.
- Around 2 to 6 € public bus back to Montestrutto.
- Any overnight stay.
RESERVATION WIHIN 2 DAYS BEFORE EXCURSION
ROOMS TO BE CONFIRMED WITHIN 1ST OCTOBER
MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 3
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (teens included): 15
Minors must be accompanied by an adult holding responsible.
Participation to the excursions implies unconditioned acceptance of the rules available on my website www.trekandtaste.it.
INJURY INSURANCE FOR TREKKERS
Participation fee only includes liability insurance; no injury insurance coverage is provided to Participants to the excursion. It is advisable to take out a suitable injury insurance.
EIC Organization offer an annual injury insurance which can be activated by the Trip&Trek app and amounting to 10 euros per year, per person. The insurance is valid 1 year whenever you participate to an excursion with and AIGAE Guide. For more details, please contact
info@escursioni-italia.it.
Montestrutto is in the so called Alto canavese area and it can be easily reached from Milan and Turin direction Aosta. Exit Quincinetto and then follow direction Borgofranco D’Ivrea.
Large and free car parking.
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Car-pooling according to rules in force and sharing of costs among passengers.
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- Please let me know in case you are willing to share your cars with people coming from your same area of residence in order to meet any requests.
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- Hiking shoes are required, preferably high laced-up and having soles in Vibram material to walk safely on any terrain and in any season;
- Hiking poles considerably reducing stress on joints and knees; telescopic poles are very handy;
- Backpack to carry snacks and water supplies, packed lunch, spare clothes and personal belongings;
- Dress in layers according to the season (shirt, long-sleeved shirt, Fleece jacket or sweatshirt, rain and wind stopper jacket); rain stopper in case of summer storms or instable weather
- Headlamp;
ATTENTION: trekkers not adequately equipped could be excluded from the excursion on the scheduled day .
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According to rules in force