Monte Antola – Costa della Gallina

The tour, physically very demanding, will take you over a distance of 40 km, with an elevation gain of 1900 m. From the square Luigi Burlando ride along the Valle Scrivia Provincial road to the junction from where, following the signs, on your left, to Donnetta and Pentema and going uphill, you will reach Buoni di Pentema. Close to Cappella dei Bucci keep left and continue on single-track, a climb with pedalled sections and push-ups. The surface, partially loose, is often wet also during the summer due to the frequent storms that occur at high altitudes. At the junction, a sign indicates the two different ways to reach the summit: directly, if you turn left, or via refuge, where you can also eat something, going to the right. In both cases the climb is not totally rideable due to the surface and gradients. Past the refuge, with sections of portage you reach the summit of Monte Antola (1593 m) where the panorama is simply breathtaking! From the summit go back to the refuge via the same track, from where you can retrace the route made uphill or you can keep right until you reach the junction on the left (recommended to avoid the wet rock garden). Keep going and reach again Casa del Piccetto and Cappella dei Bucci from where, following the track to the right, a very long and exciting single-track begins, that runs uninterrupted for 15 km and that alternates up and down, fast flowing sections with slower more technical sections. This trail is known as Costa della Gallina. Back on asphalt, follow the road that crosses the villages of Castello and Sorriva Superiore and you will soon be back to Montoggio.