The best walks and hikes around Cossombrato

Unfortunately, the complete loop cannot be done because you have to go through a private road and the owner is not really available to let you pass, so just after the houses you have to take a road that goes back, shortening the route by quite a bit.

Unusual houses once inhabited and dug into the rock. They can be reached by mountain bike, gravel and above all with good legs.

The church of Santi Nazario e Celso stands completely isolated about two kilometers north-east of Montechiaro d'Asti on the slopes of a green hill (the "Bric San Nazario"), surrounded all around by trees except on the facade. The building strikes the visitor from afar for its tall bell tower and for the chromatic effect given by the alternating bands of brick and sandstone; it constitutes an important testimony of the Romanesque architecture that developed in the XII century in the Asti Monferrato area.

It is located at the crossroads of several paths, with various indications and information boards. From here it is possible to reach the small church of Sant'Andrea

Located in the woods and reachable on foot or by bike via paths, in 2023 it is not possible to approach this church as it is unsafe and in a state of abandonment

Pleasant excursion to reach the Mombarone cave houses.

On the hills of the Asti area, in the locality of Carie di Mombarone, a small hamlet northwest of Asti, dug into the embankment of the hills formed by sand-earth deposits (tuff) are the cave houses . These are real houses, all equipped with the famous "crotin" (small cellar), dating from the beginning of the 18th century and inhabited until the beginning of the 20th century. The last inhabitants, from which the houses take their name, were “Gisep d'Carie” and “barba mini”. The houses, albeit shabby, but equipped with all the "comforts" of the time, decorated with utensils, are divided into rooms by brick walls. The rooms are large, the mild and dry climate of the area has favored their habitability, and the abundance of water resources in the area has enabled survival. The stable is distinguished from human habitation, built with a sloping floor for the drainage of waste water and a manger dug into the tuff. The objects of daily work are still present and well preserved. A well was made next to the stable, consisting of a round cistern that was used to collect rainwater and was kept during periods of drought. Between the house and the stable is an inn, which usually served to provide refreshment to travelers and beggars who crossed the valley. The cave houses have been partially restored and furnished by the owners Franco Mario and Adriano and by the association "Quattro passi a nord-Ovest". They can be visited freely, according to the instructions on site. Source: https://www-quattropassianordovest-com.translate.goog/1/case_grotta_di_mombarone_4463556.html?_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=it&_x_tr_tl=nl&_x_tr_hl=nl&_x_tr_pto=sc

The church of Santi Nazario e Celso stands, completely isolated, about two kilometers northeast of Montechiaro d'Asti on the slopes of a green hill (the "Bric San Nazario"), surrounded all around by trees except on the facade. The building catches the eye of the visitor from afar because of its high bell tower and the chromatic effect given by the alternating bands of brick and sandstone ; it is an important testimony to the Romanesque architecture that developed in the Asti Monferrato in the 12th century . More info at https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiesa_dei_Santi_Nazario_e_Celso_(Montechiaro_d%27Asti)