In this Collection, I want to take you on an adventure along almost the entire course of the Tanaro River, in the northwest of Italy. The Grantanarando (or Grantanaria) is a circuit which starts from Alessandria, in the middle of the Piedmontese Monferrato, and follows the course of the river up to its source, Mount Saccarello, in the Ligurian Alps. Once you reach the highest point of the route, you descend along the river through a wide variety of landscapes, such as the high mountains, the famous Langhe area, the lesser-known Monferrato region, the Roero, the many Piedmontese villages, forests, vineyards, and much more.

You’ll cycle through the medium-sized towns of Alessandria, Asti, Alba, Cherasco, and Bra, as well as the smaller Costigliole d'Asti, Narzole, Castellinaldo d'Alba, Carrù, Upega, and Ceva. This is a true voyage of discovery of much of lower Piedmont, between the provinces of Alessandria, Asti, and Cuneo, to the borders of Liguria and France.

The route mainly follows asphalt secondary roads, as well as gravel roads, embankments and brand-new cycle paths. To a lesser extent, there are sections on main roads when no alternatives are available. You can use almost any type of bike for this Tour except a road bike. A gravel bike with 38 tyres will be perfect, preferably treaded with a minimum grip, to have agility even on the most worn paths.

The Grantanarando is 450 kilometres (279 mi) long with almost 7,000 metres (23,000 ft) of elevation gain. I’ve divided the route into six stages of average difficulty. However, you can adjust the itinerary to your needs. The best times to tackle the Grantanarando are spring and autumn, to avoid the suffocating heat of the Monferrato summer and the biting cold of the Alps in winter. Don't forget a waterproof for the frequent mountain showers.

The starting and finishing point of this loop is Alessandria, which is well connected by public transport and especially by train to Milan and thus all of northern Italy. Each stage ends in a town or village where you’ll have no difficulty finding places to sleep (B&B, agritourisms, hotels) and eat.

Don't forget that a cycling trip is above all an entry into the local culture. Piedmont has an excellent cuisine and wine heritage. Don't miss a plate of tajarìn pasta, a sumptuous roast, a bunèt dessert or a challenging bagna cauda (garlic and anchovy dip), all accompanied by a glass of Nebbiolo, Barolo, Arneis or Chardonnay, unmissable wines of the Piedmontese tradition.

So, pack your bags and set off on an adventure on the Grantanarando!