The beating heart of Oltrepò Pavese is calling us once again, inviting us to explore its natural beauty and the secrets hidden among its hills and vineyards. It is with great pleasure that we announce a new adventure by camminandoInoltrepo, the social page dedicated to spreading the trails that cross this marvellous portion of territory. This time, they will accompany us on a unique journey to discover a geographical point that is as invisible as it is fascinating: the 45th parallel.
Our route will start from the hamlet of Boffalora, in the municipality of Mornico Losana, and then head towards Montalto Pavese. The route, which is expected to last approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes (with possible extensions up to 2 hours and 45 minutes) and is approximately 10.7/12.7 km long, runs mainly on asphalt roads, but also offers variations for those who wish to experience stretches of dirt road.
The goal is to reach a point imperceptible to the human eye, but extraordinary in its significance: the 45th parallel. This imaginary line represents the exact half of the northern hemisphere, located halfway between the North Pole and the Equator. To walk along this parallel is to stand at the exact point where our world balances between the cold poles and the warm equatorial regions, a perfect balance that we can only perceive through the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Departing from Boffalora, we will set off in the direction of Montalto Pavese, immersed in nature and surrounded by the rolling hills of the Oltrepò. One of the first stops will be the Little Bench, a bench that, with its simplicity, invites us to stop and admire the view, breathing in the pure, crisp air.
From here, the route continues towards Località Costa Grossa. Following Provincial Road 44, we pass through the localities of Costa Giuglini, Costa Gallotti, and Casa Peroni, also known as ‘Le Fiole’. These places, steeped in history and tradition, tell us of the rural life that characterises this area, made up of vineyards and cultivated fields that are lost in plain sight.
Those who wish to add a touch of adventure to the route can opt for a diversion to the Pizzotorto crossroads. Here, turning right, we will follow the path of the same name that will take us into the heart of the village, in front of the majestic Palazzo Comunale. For those who prefer to stay on the asphalt road, the route continues straight through the centre of Montalto Pavese to Via Trieste.
From Via Trieste, we descend towards Mondino, keeping to the right at the fork, and then continue until we reach Casa Madama. Here the route divides again: going uphill, we will return to Provincial Road 44, which will take us back to Costa Giuglini and finally to the starting point in Boffalora (for a total of 10.8 km).
For those who wish to extend the excursion, two alternatives are available. The first involves turning left at the Casa Madama exit and following a country road that will take us to Frazione Roncaioli. From here, a climb will take us to Mornico Losana. At the crossroads, we keep to the right and then to the right again, continuing along Provincial Road 46 to the junction where we continue towards Boffalora, without further detours, for a total of 12.7 km.
The second variant, for those who enjoy challenges and less-travelled routes, involves going a few dozen metres past a white house to the left of a bend and ascending the wide path through the vineyards. This will lead us to the village of Cavigerra di Sotto, where we will immediately turn right, following a sheep-track that will take us to the vicinity of the tower of Cavigerra di Sopra. Once we reach the asphalt road, we will turn left, finally returning to our starting point in Boffalora.
