Winter riding, why not? With a little experience and attention to the horse's welfare, galloping in the less mild seasons can provide an invaluable sense of adventure. Just make sure you protect yourself from the cold and that the ground is not slippery or icy. Horses love to move and stay active, so it doesn't matter if it's wet or cold, as long as they stay in training. Here are some suggestions for riding paths in the Alto Oltrepò Pavese area.
An adventure on horseback from Salice Terme to Gravanago
Starting from Salice Terme, you follow the Staffora stream and, after crossing the Penici road, you begin to climb towards Gomo until you reach Susella, a picturesque village at 570 metres above sea level, from where you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view. From Susella, the descent towards Chiusani begins, with a series of ups and downs, mostly on dirt roads, until you reach Gaminara. From here it climbs to the junction for Castignoli and then descends towards Pogiolo. The stage ends in Gravanago, a charming village with cobbled streets and old stone houses in the municipality of Fortunago.
The route is a real immersion in unspoilt nature, discovering traditional villages along the Staffora torrent valley.
Discovering the landscapes of Monteacuto and Varzi
The route crosses the hills of Monteacuto and Varzi, offering breathtaking views. Starting from Monteacuto (524 m), you follow the provincial road to Varzi for about a kilometre and then take the paths and tracks that lead to Sant'Albano. There are some slight ups and downs along the way. The dirt road continues as far as C.na Marnago, where you meet a dirt road that leads to Poggio Ferrato, from where you continue along a combination of asphalt and cart tracks, with some challenging ups and downs. The route continues to the hermitage of Sant'Alberto di Butrio, a place of great historical and spiritual interest. From the hermitage, the route alternates between paved and unpaved sections, gradually leading to the majestic castle of Oramala. From here, a long mixed terrain descent leads to the valley floor of Varzi, where, after 22 kilometres of riding, this exciting journey on horseback comes to an end.
This route offers a complete experience of natural and cultural beauty. During the excursion, it is important to be safe and to adapt the route to the terrain and to one's own riding ability. Afterwards, all that remains is to enjoy the adventure.
A ride along the Staffora stream
An adventurous ride along the Staffora torrent to discover the beauty of nature from Varzi to Cascina Roncassi, a route of about 10 kilometres.
Starting from Varzi, you go up the Staffora torrent on the orographical left, following the torrent as far as Carro, where you ford the torrent. After a stretch of asphalt road, you take a cart track that begins to climb towards Montemartino, from where you continue for a long stretch to Cascina Roncassi, the destination of this fascinating itinerary on horseback.
Unique experiences
All three itineraries have a unique charm, a total immersion in nature with the possibility of enjoying, along the less accessible paths, views that seem to be reserved for the lucky few. Together with your horse, you will be able to explore areas that are almost inaccessible to others, reaching remote yet authentic places.
